Hernando County health notes

Take Off Pounds Sensibly: TOPS 604, weigh-in from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. and meeting from 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. Call Doris, (352) 666-9525, or Nancy, (352) 592-1088.

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 Partner's Club (behind the hospital), 11361 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill. Call Jerry Fisher at (352) 688-4537.

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

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

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

• 1 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month, Avante Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, 304 S Citrus Ave., Inverness. Call Sue Piatek at (352) 527-4600.

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

• 1 p.m. the second Monday of each month, First United Methodist Church, 8831 W Bradshaw St., Homosassa. Free day care provided with reservations. Call Sue Piatek at (352) 527-4600.

Visit the Alzheimer's Association website at alz.org. To reach the 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, call John Winans at (352) 232-0081; 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Spring Hill Regional Hospital Medical Arts Building, Suite 105, 10441 Quality Drive, Spring Hill, call Marilu Gibson at (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 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 and diaphragms Other services include 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 at (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 at (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.

• 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.

• Appointments may also be scheduled at the Hernando County Mining Association Enrichment Center, 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd., Brooksville. Call (352) 544-6022.

SHINE counselors offer information and assistance with Medicare, 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 valwow@tampabay.rr.com.

Hernando Gift Room: This free service, provided by the American Cancer Society, is open from 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 under-insured patients with free wigs, hats and head coverings, prosthesis and mastectomy bras, and 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. Call Linda Ward at (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. Call Evelyn at (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.

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. Call 1-800-486-8784 or visit hph-hospice.org.

Hospice program for caregivers to veterans: 1 p.m. June 5, HPH Hospice, 12260 Cortez Blvd. Matt Peters, veteran services manager for Hernando County, will facilitate this one-hour program aimed at assisting individuals who are caregivers to veterans. The program will cover service-connected disabilities, aid and attendance to veterans or their surviving spouses, and how the Veterans Administration covers hospice care. There is no cost, but seating is limited and registration is required. RSVP to Carla Hayes at (352) 597-1882.

Long Term Care — What You Need to Know: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Spring Hill Branch/Harold G. Zopp Memorial Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive. The discussion will be "Protecting Your Most Important Asset ... Your Family." Free, but reservations required. Call the library at (352) 754-4043 or Timothy Hill at (352) 597-3232. Web: hernandocountylibrary.us.

'Menopause and Andropause' seminar: 5:15 p.m. May 31, Access Healthcare, 5350 Spring Hill Drive. The speaker will be Dr. Maria Scunziano-Singh. Free. RSVP to (3532) 688-8116 or accesshealthcarellc.net.

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. Call Marilyn at (352) 593-4736 or Rita at (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. Call Ann at (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. Call Belinda at (352) 293-3455.

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. Call A. Schaffer at (352) 688-2594 or the church at (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.

Weeki Wachee

Take Off Pounds Sensibly: TOPS 461, 9 to 11 a.m. Thursdays, Nativity Lutheran Church, 6363 Commercial Way. Call Dorothy Kuta at (352) 596-6697 or Pat Gall at (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.

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.