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Health events and support groups around Hernando County

 
Published May 16, 2012

Alcoholics Anonymous: For Hernando County locations, call (352) 683-4597.

Alzheimer's Association: The Florida Gulf Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association offers support groups at several locations:

• 2:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month, Oak Hill Hospital's Senior Partners Club (behind the hospital), 11361 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill. Jerry Fisher, (352) 688-4537.

• 2:30 p.m. the first Friday of each month, Lykes Memorial Library, 238 Howell Ave., Brooksville. Jerry Fisher, (352) 688-4537.

• 2 p.m. the third Monday of each month, Residence at Timber Pines, 3140 Forest Road, Spring Hill. Diane Koenig, (352) 683-9009.

• 11 a.m. the first Tuesday of each month, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 550 U.S. 41 S, Inverness. Cathy Heaps, (352) 527-4600.

• 1 p.m. the third Wednesday, Avante Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, 304 S Citrus Ave., Inverness. Cathy Heaps, (352) 527-4600.

• 5 p.m. the fourth Tuesday, Emeritus at Barrington Place, 2341 W Norvell Bryant Highway, Lecanto. Free day care provided with advance reservations. Sue Piatek, (352) 527-4600.

• 2:30 p.m. the second Wednesday, Sunflower Springs Assisted Living Community, 8733 W Yulee Drive, Homosassa. Free day care provided with advance reservations. Sue Piatek, (352) 527-4600.

Visit the Alzheimer's Association's website at alz.org. Message boards are open at all times to post questions and leave replies. To reach the Alzheimer's Association's local office, call (352) 688-4537 or toll-free 1-800-772-8672.

Alzheimer's Family Organization: Caregiver support groups — 1 p.m. Mondays, Brooksville Regional Hospital, Medical Arts Building, Suite 120, 17222 Hospital Blvd., Brooksville; John Winans, (352) 232-0081. 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Spring Hill Regional Hospital Medical Arts Building, Suite 105, 10441 Quality Drive, Spring Hill; Marilu Gibson, (352) 688-5758.

Elder Abuse Hotline: To report suspected cases of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation, or those 60 or older who are being hurt or taken advantage of by someone you know, call toll-free 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) or 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873). Sponsored by the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

Family Planning Assistance offered at Hernando County Health Department: Family planning services are available at both the Brooksville office at 300 S Main St. and the Spring Hill office at 7551 Forest Oaks Blvd. Family planning strategies are offered to help prevent unintended pregnancies, including teen pregnancy. Visits include testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, along with education on preventing infections. All services are based on FDA-approved methods, which include: condoms, birth control pills, Depo-Provera, IUDs, diaphragms, as well as abstinence and natural family planning methods; counseling regarding vasectomy services; pregnancy testing; and a comprehensive exam. Fees are based on client income; there is no charge for those with incomes up to 100 percent above the federal poverty level. For information or to schedule an appointment, call (352) 540-6800.

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Narcotics Anonymous: For Hernando County locations, call (352) 754-7200.

National Alliance on Mental Illness/NAMI Hernando: NAMI Hernando will offer the following at the Beautiful Mind Outreach Center, 10554 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill:

• Family support group, 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays. For family members of loved ones who have a mental illness. Call the Beautiful Mind, (352) 684-0004.

• Wellness and Recovery group, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays; Wellness Support group, 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays. The group is for adults living with a mental illness. Call the Beautiful Mind, (352) 684-0004.

Visit namihernandofl.org or NAMI.org.

SHINE Program Assists Seniors with Health Insurance: The Florida Department of Elder Affairs offers the free SHINE program (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) at the following locations in Hernando County:

• 11 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Brooksville Enrichment Center, Suite 120 of the Medical Arts Building at Brooksville Regional Hospital, 17222 Hospital Blvd. Call (352) 544-6022.

• 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays, Hernando County Mining Association Enrichment Center, 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd., Brooksville. (352) 544-6022.

• 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays at Spring Hill Enrichment Center, Suite 105 of the Medical Arts Building at Spring Hill Regional Hospital, 10441 Quality Drive, Spring Hill. Call (352) 684-7568.

SHINE counselors offer information and assistance with Medicare (figuring out paperwork, bills and filing appeals), Medicare supplemental insurance, Medicare prescription drug coverage, long-term care planning and pharmaceutical assistance programs.

No appointments necessary (unless otherwise noted). For information or for counseling locations outside Hernando County, call the Elder Hotline toll-free at 1-800-262-2243.

Weight Watchers: For area meetings, call toll-free 1-800-651-6000.

Brooksville

Al-Anon: Adult Children Focused Step meeting, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Brooksville Enrichment Center, Suite 120, Medical Arts Building at Brooksville Regional Hospital, 17222 Hospital Blvd. Toll-free 1-888-425-2666.

CoDA (Co-Dependents Anonymous): Words of Wisdom group, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Salvation Army Fellowship Hall, 15464 Cortez Blvd. The purpose of this program is for the development of healthy relationships and the building of self-esteem. Email to valwow@tampabay.rr.com.

Hernando County Ostomy Association: 2 to 4 p.m. today, Brooksville Regional Hospital, first-floor Conference Room 2, 17240 Cortez Blvd. Family and friends welcome. Ellen Boldt, (352) 597-5426, or Linda Ravenhorst, (352) 686-1956.

Hernando Gift Room: This free service, provided by the American Cancer Society, is open noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays at 14540 Cortez Blvd., Suite 203, in the Pinebrook Regional Medical Center, west of Brooksville. The Gift Room provides uninsured and underinsured patients with free wigs, hats and head coverings (scarves, kerchiefs, beanies and knitted caps), prosthesis and mastectomy bras, as well as emotional support for people going through chemotherapy. To learn more, call the American Cancer Society toll-free at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

Smoking cessation specialist available at Health Department: Hernando County Health Department, in cooperation with Gulf Coast North Area Health Education Center, offers free one-on-one counseling to help residents kick the tobacco habit. Trained tobacco cessation specialist Veronique Polo is available every Wednesday at the Brooksville clinic, 300 S Main St. She provides education, quitting strategies and support, and information and access to free nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, lozenges). For information, call (813) 929-1000 or visit gnahec.org. To schedule an appointment, call (352) 540-6800.

Take of Pounds Sensibly 208: 6 p.m. Thursdays, Gulf Ridge Park Church, 20200 Manecke Road. Linda Ward, (352) 796-1236.

Ridge Manor West

Take Off Pounds Sensibly 530: 8:15 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, First Lutheran Church, 30419 Park Ridge Drive. Meeting starts at 9 a.m. Evelyn, (352) 796-0477.

Spring Hill

Crescent Community Clinic: The clinic, 5244 Commercial Way (Winchester Plaza), provides primary medical, dental and mental health services to uninsured adults ages 18-64 who meet the federal poverty guidelines. Those wishing to receive services from the nonprofit, volunteer-staffed clinic must first apply for services. To apply, potential patients must visit the website at crescentclinic.org and download the application on the first page. The clinic is staffed by volunteers from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. For information, call (352) 610-9916. Potential patients are not to call the office for appointments.

"Exercise for You and Yours" seminar: 5:15 p.m. today, Access Healthcare, 5350 Spring Hill Drive. Dr. Maria Scunziano-Singh will discuss the benefits of exercise, as well as the risks of not exercising and not exercising correctly. Examples of proper exercise will be provided. Free, but registration required. (352) 688-8116 or accesshealthcarellc.net.

Gamblers Anonymous: 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6193 Spring Hill Drive. New members welcome. Coffee and refreshments served. (352) 688-9034.

Hospice Bereavement Support Group: 3 to 4 p.m. Thursdays, HPH Hospice, 12260 Cortez Blvd. This is an ongoing bereavement support group for adults grieving the death of a loved one. There is no cost and no reservations required. Toll-free 1-800-486-8784. Web: hph-hospice.org.

"Living with Diabetes" symposium: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane. The free program is part of Oak Hill Hospital's For Your Health community education program. Speakers will include Dr. Srin Dutt, a board-certified ophthalmologist; Dr. Charles Miller, board certified in podiatric orthopedics; Dr. Mahmoud A. Nimer, board certified in interventional cardiology, cariovascular disease and internal medicine, and Dr. Arturo Castro, board-certified endocrinologist. All aspects of diabetes will be discussed, including caring for eyes, feet, heart and overall health. Admission is free; a complimentary hot meal will be served. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. (352) 597-6333 or oakhillhospital.com/foryourhealth.

Moving On: 12:15 p.m. Thursdays, Perkins Family Restaurant, 4685 Commercial Way. This is a self-help support group for seniors who have difficulty dealing with the loss of a loved one. Marilyn, (352) 593-4736, or Rita, (352) 684-3916.

Overeaters Anonymous: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd. This is a newly formed group. Ann, (352) 684-5926. Bridge to Serenity group, 1 p.m. Tuesdays, West Hernando/S.T. Foggia Branch Library, 6335 Blackbird Ave. This is a 12-step program for those suffering from compulsive overeating. There are no dues, fees or weigh-ins for this support group. Belinda, (352) 293-3455.

'Quit Smoking Now' Tobacco Dependence Program: 3 to 4 p.m. Thursdays, today through June 21, Spring Hill Enrichment Center, Medical Arts Building at Spring Hill Regional Hospital, 10441 Quality Drive. This is a free program provided by the Gulfcoast North Area Health Education Center, in partnership with the Hernando County Health Department and Spring Hill Regional Hospital. Along with the six weekly meetings, the program includes four weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy (gum, patches or lozenges). There is no cost, but space is limited. To register, call (813) 929-1000, ext. 213.

Spring Hill Stroke Support Group: 11 a.m. Thursdays, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6193 Spring Hill Drive. Family and friends welcome. Coffee and cake follows the meeting. A. Schaffer, (352) 688-2594, or the church, (352) 683-9016.

Tai chi for Parkinson's patients: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Body Fitness, 5181 Mariner Blvd. Sponsored by USF Health and the National Parkinson Foundation. The free classes improve flexibility and balance. (352) 556-1489.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly: TOPS 604, Weigh-in from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. and meeting 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd. Visitors are welcome to the first meeting free. TOPS is a weight-loss management program for men and women, and has a philosophy of combining healthy eating, regular exercise, wellness education and support from others. Doris, (352) 666-9525, or Nancy, (352) 592-1088.

Weeki Wachee

Take Off Pounds Sensibly: TOPS 461, 9 to 11 a.m. Thursdays, Nativity Lutheran Church, 6363 Commercial Way. Dorothy Kuta, (352) 596-6697, or Pat Gall, (352) 688-6755. TOPS is a weight loss support group that promotes successful weight management with a philosophy that combines healthy eating, regular exercise, wellness education and support.

Pasco County/New Port Richey

Lymphedema Support Group: 3 p.m. today, Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54. Caregivers and spouses welcome. (727) 834-5630.

Send information for the Health and Support column to Phyllis Day, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613; fax to (352) 754-6133; or email pday@tampabay.com. Deadline for this news is two weeks before event or reservation deadline. Information cannot be published if the time, date, place, ticket price (if applicable) or contact person and phone number are missing. For information, call (352) 754-6101 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.