By Phyllis Day, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
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, Atria Evergreen Woods, 7030 Evergreen Woods Trail. Shirley Miketinac, (352) 796-1767.
• 2:30 p.m. the first Friday of each month, Lykes Memorial Library, 238 Howell Ave., Brooksville. Shirley Miketinac, (352) 796-1767.
• 2 p.m. the second Tuesday at Crown Pointe Senior Living Community, 11291 County Line Road, Spring Hill. Sandy Croson, (352) 799-1422.
• 2 p.m. the third Monday of each month, Residence at Timber Pines, 3140 Forest Road, Spring Hill. Diane Koenig, (352) 683-9009.
Alzheimer's Family Organization: The following programs are offered through the Alzheimer's Family Organization to residents of Hernando, Citrus, Pasco, Sumter and Lake counties:
• Caregiver support groups — 1 p.m. Mondays, Spring Hill Enrichment Center (behind Oak Hill Hospital), 11375 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill; Maria Curley, (727) 856-2196.
• Respite Assistance Program — for caregivers of a dementia or Alzheimer's disease sufferer. The Alzheimer's Family Organization also will provide other national respite resources that can reimburse costs to caregivers.
• Wanderers Identification Program — provides the person with a memory disorder with an identifying bracelet or pendant with a code number and direct telephone number to the Sheriff's Office. If the person becomes lost or wanders from home, they can be identified through a shared database that houses essential patient information and caregiver contacts.
For information, call AFO at (727) 848-8888 or toll-free at 1-888-496-8004.
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.
HPH Hospice Grief Support: 3 to 4 p.m. Mondays, HPH Hospice, 698 S Broad St., Brooksville; and 3 to 4 p.m. Thursdays, 12260 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill. Led by hospice bereavement counselors, these ongoing bereavement support groups are for adults grieving over the death of a loved one. There is no cost to participate and no reservations needed. Visit hph-hospice.org or call toll-free 1-800-486-8784.
Narcotics Anonymous: For Hernando County locations, call (352) 754-7200.
National Alliance on Mental Illness/NAMI Hernando: NAMI Hernando offers the following:
• The Beautiful Mind Outreach Center, 10554 Spring Hill Drive (Brothers I and II Plaza), Spring Hill. Open 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays. This is a self-help rehabilitation and recreation center for people with mental illnesses, offering support groups, classes, bingo, arts and crafts, and other social and educational activities. Call the center at (352) 684-0004. Visit www.namihernando.org or www.NAMI.org.
• Consumer support group, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays, at the Beautiful Mind. The group is for adults who have been diagnosed with a mental illness who are interested in speaking with others who share similar problems.
• Family Support Group, 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays at the Beautiful Mind. This group is for families to meet and talk with others who understand adult mental illness.
Operation Veteran and Family Support Network: Support and assistance offered to members of the military, veterans and their families through these free support groups led by mental health counselors with the Harbor Behavioral Health Care. Meetings are 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at three Harbor locations:
• 7074 Grove Road, Brooksville
• 14527 Seventh St., Dade City
• 8002 King Helie Blvd., New Port Richey.
For information, call (352) 232-4770 or (727) 420-7943.
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, Jerome Brown Community Center, 99 Jerome Brown Place, off Darby Lane, Brooksville.
• 11 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Spring Hill United Church of Christ, 4244 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill.
• 11 a.m. to noon Wednesdays, Little Red Schoolhouse Bookstore, 1208 Kenlake Ave., Spring Hill.
• Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, East Hernando Branch Library, 6457 Windmere Road, Ridge Manor West.
• 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays at Spring Hill Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd. (behind Oak Hill Hospital), Spring Hill.
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
CoDA (Co-Dependents Anonymous): Words of Wisdom group, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, 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. Val, (352) 596-2492.
Diabetic Support Group: 4 p.m. Monday, Brooksville Regional Hospital, conference room, 17240 Cortez Blvd. No cost and no registration necessary. Sponsored by Horizon Homecare. (352) 684-3550 or kathy@horizonhome healthcare.com. Meetings are on the second Monday of each month.
MTC Technical Institute weight loss and quit smoking sessions with hypnotist: Weight loss program, 2 p.m. Sept. 18; quit smoking program, 2 p.m. Oct. 16. 661 S Broad St. Vendors for these events are welcome. Rae, (352) 593-4556 or raecraven@yahoo.com.
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
Al-Anon: Adult children focused step meeting, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Spring Hill Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd. (behind Oak Hill Hospital). Meetings are open to all Al-Anon members and anyone suffering from the confusion of being raised in a home where alcohol was a problem. Toll-free 1-888-4Al-ANON (425-2666).
Diabetes Self-Management Education Program: The Hernando County Health Department offers this diabetes program throughout the year at the office at 7465 Forest Oaks Blvd. It includes three 3-hour classes that address topics specific to the concerns of diabetes patients including meal planning, medication and complications. Facilitators include certified diabetes educator Sandra Dixon and registered nurse Jan Musick. Registration required. Call for dates and times of the next program. (352) 540-6928.
Hernando County Ostomy Association: 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 16, Spring Hill Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd., behind Oak Hill Hospital. New members welcome. Joan, (352) 686-1077, or Ellen, (352) 597-5426.
'Look Good, Feel Better' Support Group for Female Cancer Patients: 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope, Spring Hill Regional Hospital, Medical Arts Building, Suite 203, 10441 Quality Drive. Peggy Beckett, (352) 688-7744.
'Man to Man' Prostate Cancer Support Group: 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope, 7154 Medical Center Drive, off Kadri Boulevard (across from High Point). Jamie Osborne, community liaison for Horizon Homecare, will speak. This support group is co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Mary Capo, (352) 596-1926.
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) 597-5315, or Rita, (352) 684-3916.
Overeaters Anonymous: 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.
Parkinson's Disease Support Group: Tai chi group for those with Parkinson's and their caregivers, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Body Fitness, 5181 Mariner Drive. Charlene Miller, (352) 688-7261, or Barbara Kent, (352) 666-1584.
The Respite Room: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, First United Methodist Church, 9344 Spring Hill Drive. This weekly program is a partnership between the church and CARES (Community Aging and Retirement Services Inc.) to provide activities and social time for those with memory challenges such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease while their caregivers get time off. Call to schedule a complimentary visit. Chris Powers, (727) 863-6868, or Cindy McLoud, (352) 683-2600.
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.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly: TOPS 604, weigh-in from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. and meeting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd.; Doris, (352) 666-9525, or Nancy, (352) 592-1088.
'Understanding Neuropathy' seminar: 2 p.m. Sept. 16, Fun Fitness Factory, 1287 Kass Circle. Topics include the seven signs of neuropathy, who gets neuropathy, how it affects a person and one's balance, and available treatment options. The speaker will be Dr. Robert J. Martinez of Martinez Chiropractic and Wellness Center. Free. Seating limited; reservations required. RSVP to Susan, (352) 686-1686.
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.
New Port Richey
Lymphedema Support Group: 3 p.m. Sept. 16, Community Hospital, 5637 Marine Parkway. Conducted by Alisha Cover, a licensed physical therapy assistant. Seating limited, reservations required. Call toll-free 1-877-4-HCA-DOCS (877-442-2362).
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 e-mail pday@sptimes.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.