Health Briefs 2-2-15
Classes/seminars
n Yoga at the Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville, 9-10:30 a.m. Tuesdays; 101 Yoga for Beginners 10:30-11:45 a.m. Wednesdays, six week class is $50, information kumor49@hotmail.com or 724-626-1114; 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, classes are $10 per person or a package of three classes for $25; and 10:15-11:45 a.m. Saturday, classes are by donation which benefits the library, suggested donation $5. Information: 724-626-1114.
n Managing Your Diabetes, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. Those attending will learn how to monitor blood sugar, understand diabetes medications and insulin, manage low and high blood sugars, improve their lifestyle, better understand carbohydrates and plan meals. Advance registration is required: 724-258-1483.
n Smoking cessation program, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, 17 and 24, Monongahela Valley Hospital. Classes are offered at no charge to Primary Care Resource Center (PCRC) patients, MVH employees and anyone with a referral from an MVH-affiliated primary care physician. For all others, the cost for the complete program is $20. Registration required: 724-258-1932.
n Innovations in Medicine — Knee Arthritis; Cartilage Injury to Total Replacement, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Mon-Vale HealthPLEX, Willow Room. Dr. Ari Pressman will present a free program to discuss ailments of the knee including the causes and treatments of knee arthritis, cartilage injuries and total knee replacements. Registration: 724-258-1333.
n Advanced Carbohydrate Counting, 6-8 p.m. Feb. 11, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. Learn more about food choices, dining out and how personal eating habits affect blood glucose control. Completion of the three-day “Diabetes Self-Management Training” is required prior to attending this class. Registration: 724-258-1483.
n Innovations in Medicine — Treating Cancer with Radiation, 6 p.m. Feb. 12, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. Dr. Mohsen Isaac, radiation oncologist, will present a free program to discuss the latest cancer treatments. Registration: 724-258-1333.
Support groups
n Breast cancer support group, 2-4 p.m. Monday, 7-East Family Room, Monongahela Valley Hospital. This group is free and open to all breast cancer patients and their families. Information: 724-258-1704.
n Caring Corner Grief Support Program for families and children, 6-8 p.m. every Monday, East End United Community Center, Uniontown. Information: 724-437-1660.
n Survivors of Incest Anonymous meeting, 6:30-8 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month, Mount St. Macrina Retreat Center, Uniontown. The group is a 12-step recovery program for people 18 or older who were sexually abused by a trusted person as a child. Regular weekly meetings will resume in March. Information: peopleofcourage@gmail.com or siawso.org.
n Southwestern PA Area Agency on Aging monthly Caregiver support group, 1-2:30 p.m. Feb. 9 and March 9, Fayette County Community Center, Building B, board room, 137 N. Beeson Ave., Uniontown. Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month. Reservations: 1-888-300-2704 ext. 4418.
n Silver Generation Support Program, 10 a.m. to noon every Wednesday, East End United Community Center. The program is for adults ages 55 and older. Information: 724-437-1660.
n Al-Anon Family Groups, 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Trinity Church basement, Fayette and Morgantown streets, Uniontown and 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Christian Church, Pittsburgh Street, Connellsville. These meetings are for anyone who has been affected by or is having problems from someone else’s drinking. Information: al-anon.alateen.org or pa-al-anon.org.
n GriefShare faith-centered grief support group, 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Uniontown Church of the Brethren, 20 Robinson St., Uniontown. Information: 724-438-8372.
n Celebrate Recovery meetings, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Third Presbyterian Church, 425 Union St., Uniontown. The program is based upon biblical principles with the purpose of letting God restore the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.
n Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Suicide Bereavement Support Group, sessions start 6 p.m. Feb. 9 and will meet the second and fourth Mondays through May, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. The free informal group meetings will be led by staff psychologist Sam Lonich, who has extensive professional experience working with suicide survivors. Last day to register is Feb. 6: 724-268-1144.
n RSDS support group, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 10, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. The group is free and open to all persons with RSDS or related illnesses. Information: 724-929-9492.
n Better Breathers Club, 2-3 p.m. Feb. 10, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. The club is free and open to all adults and their family, friends or caregivers who want to learn or share information about living well with breathing issues. Information: 724-258-1932 or 724-344-0287.
n Alzheimer’s support group, 6 p.m. Feb. 10, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. The group is designed to help the family members, friends and caregivers of those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Attendees discuss the challenges of coping with this disorder as well as techniques for managing stress and methods of encouraging social engagement. Reservations: 724-258-1333.
n Prostate cancer support group, 6 p.m. Feb. 11, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. All prostate cancer patients, families and caregivers are invited to attend this free support group. Information: 724-292-9404.
n Stepping Stones Bereavement spring session will begin 7-9 p.m. March 2 and will run for ten weeks at the Fayette County Health Center, 100 New Salem Road. Anyone who is newly bereaved or still having problems dealing with grief is invited to attend. There is no cost to participate. Information: 724-438-9373.
n Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA has a support group for women who have been or who currently are in abusive relationships. It is a confidential, low-pressure, safe place. Information: 724-223-9190 or 800-791-4000 in Washington, 724-852-2463 in Greene or 724-439-9500 in Fayette.
n Crime Victims’ Center of Fayette County provides quality services for all victims and families of sexual assault and other violent crimes. Most services are free, and all services are strictly confidential. The center is now accepting volunteer applications. Information: 724-438-1470 Crisis Hotline: 724-437-3737.
Community events
n Flu vaccinations are now available at all Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Markets in-store pharmacies. No appointments are needed and vaccinations are provided any time the pharmacy is open. The cost for the stand flu shot is $35 and most major insurance plans along with Medicare are accepted. Customers with Giant/Martin’s prescription savings card will receive $10 off their flu shot. For information to schedule an on-site flu clinic at an office: 877-439-1311.
n Wesley Health Center free flu shots, 8 a.m. to noon weekdays and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, 410 S. Pittsburgh St., Connellsville. The shots are free to anyone regardless of insurance. Information: 724-626-2610, Ext. 1.
n Monongahela Valley Hospital blood drive, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. The hospital, in conjunction with the American Red Cross will sponsor a blood drive to benefit local patients. Information or registration: 724-494-4090 or redcrosslife .org.