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The Newington Affiliate of the National Alliance for Mental Illness meets the second Tuesday monthly at 7 p.m. at the Newington Senior Center multipurpose room, 120 Cedar St. NAMI is a public service organization providing support, education and advocacy for families and friends of individuals who have severe psychiatric disabilities.
MS Support Group meets monthly
The Newington MS Support Group meets at the Newington Senior and Disabled Center, located at 120 Cedar St., at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month.
There are more than 6,000 Connecticut residents diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an oftentimes debilitating disease affecting the central nervous system. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter, offers more than 25 support groups throughout Connecticut. These groups bring together people who share a common life experience as it relates to MS and its effects.
For more information, call Charlie at (860) 667-1314 or Mary at (860) 666-0414.
For more information on multiple sclerosis and the many ways you can help make a difference, visit www.ctfightsMS.org or call the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter, at (800) FIGHT MS.
Seniors: Keep your mind in shape
The Central Connecticut Health District and the Berlin Senior Canter have joined the Newington Healthcare Center in sponsoring a new program for seniors. Sarah Merlini, social worker, will lead "Mental Aerobics," an hour-long program of fun-filled activities designed to give the mind a workout to maintain mental wellness.
Research has shown that as we age, connections between the brain cells are altered, but activity increases brain functioning and may build reserves of brain cells and connections. Activities that require use of the brain stimulate brain function and help to slow down or stop cognitive decline that often occurs as we grow older.
Mental Aerobics is held on the second Monday of each month at the Berlin Senior Center, 33 Colonial Drive, Berlin, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The next session will meet Monday, Dec. 8.
To sign up, call the Berlin Senior Center at (860) 828-7006. For more information, call the Central Connecticut Health District at (860) 721-2818.
Prescription drug counseling to resume
The Central Connecticut Health District and the Wethersfield Senior Center sponsor a prescription drug counseling program for residents of the Health District. The program sessions offer individualized drug counseling and provide information about supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Participants can discuss their medications in a confidential, one-on-one session with a pharmacist, who will provide information about the best way and time to take particular medications, drug interactions, vitamin supplements, possible side effects and potential alternatives such as the use of generic medications. Pharmacist John F. Aforismo of RJ Health Systems, Inc. in Wethersfield conducts the counseling sessions free of charge. The program is held the last Wednesday of each month. The next date is Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to noon in Room F-1 at the Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield St., Wethersfield. Appointments are required. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Central Connecticut Health District at (860) 721-2818.
Hospice program seeks volunteers
The VNA HealthCare Hospice Program is seeking volunteers to work serving the needs of terminally ill people and their families in the greater Hartford area. There is need for compassionate people to offer spiritual support to patients, under the guidance of the hospice pastoral counselor.
There is also need for volunteers who have experience and training in Reiki, music, therapy, art therapy and pet therapy. These complementary therapies bringing comfort, relaxation and quality of life to patients. Volunteers are also needed to provide clerical assistance in the hospice offices. Interested individuals who have experienced a significant loss in the past year are encouraged to wait before becoming a hospice volunteer.
The hospice program helps patients spend the final days of their lives at home, with the support of their families. Experienced professionals and volunteers help relieve the physical and emotional pain of terminal illness.
Training for volunteers includes sessions held at VNA HealthCare, 103 Woodland St., Hartford. Interested persons may call Pat Wilson, volunteer coordinator, at (860) 525-7001.
Bereavement support offered
Coping with the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming. VNA HealthCare will hold an open bereavement-support group twice a month in the afternoon at Jefferson House, One John Stewart Drive, Newington, 06111. For more information, call (860) 493-7328 to speak to Pat Snyder, M.A., bereavement coordinator for the VNA HealthCare HOPE Team, or by e-mail: psnyder@vnahealthcare.org.
BirthNetwork monthly meetings to be held
Moms-to-be: Join us at BirthNetwork National of Greater Hartford. Expecting women and their partners, health-care professionals, doulas, and childbirth educators come together at BNN monthly meetings for open exchange of information and ideas, support and networking.
BirthNetwork National of Greater Hartford monthly meetings are free of charge and open to all. Meetings take place in either West Hartford or East Hampton on the third Tuesday of each month. Call (860) 233-6914 for more information.
MS meetings change
The Rocky Hill MS Support group is now the Cromwell MS Support group. The Cromwell MS Support Group meets at Fox Glen Community Center, located at 123 West St. in Comwell, from 1 to 3 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. There are more than 6,000 Connecticut residents diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an oftentimes debilitating disease affecting the central nervous system. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter, offers more than 25 support groups throughout Connecticut. These groups bring together people who share a common life experience as it relates to MS and its effects. For more information, contact Celeste at (860) 632-8730. For more information on multiple sclerosis and the many ways you can help make a difference, visit www.ctfightsMS.org or call the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter at (800) FIGHT MS.
Blood glucose screenings offered
The Central Connecticut Health District and the Wethersfield Health Care Center have teamed up to offer a glucose screening program to residents of Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Newington and Berlin who are 65 years of age and older. Cynthia Mason, registered nurse from the Wethersfield Health Care Center, will conduct free blood glucose screenings monthly in the Health District member towns of Rocky Hill and Wethersfield.
The blood sugar test takes only minutes, and time is permitted to allow participants an opportunity to discuss the meaning of the resulting numbers and what to do if the sugar level is too high. Residents of all four health district towns are invited to participate at the Wethersfield screening on Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield St., Wethersfield. For more information, directions and/or to schedule an appointment, call the Central Connecticut Health District at (860) 721-2818.
Health District to sponsor vascular screenings to reduce risk of stroke and heart disease
Berlin, Newington, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield residents may participate in a vascular screening program in Room S-2 at the Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield St., in Wethersfield, on Friday, December 12, 2008. The service, provided by Life Line Screening, includes four different screening tests.
The carotid vascular test scans the carotid arteries in the neck for plaque build-up, which can lead to strokes. The abdominal aortic aneurysm test is used to detect an aneurysm in the abdominal aorta; the majority of people with an aneurysm experience no symptoms. The third test is an ankle brachial index test, which screens for plaque build-up in the lower extremities (peripheral arterial disease); this is often linked to coronary artery disease. All three tests employ ultrasound and are painless and non-invasive. Additionally, a new test for atrial fibrillation has been added to screen for an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. A standard ECG (electrocardiograph) is used; four electrodes are placed on the wrists and legs while the person is lying down. No clothing is removed, no preparation is required, and it only takes a few minutes to complete.
The cost of each test is $45, but all four tests cost $139. Medicare and most insurance plans do not pay for this and other health screenings. Appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, residents must call 1-800-324-1851.
In addition to the vascular screenings, an osteoporosis screening is offered for $35. The bone density of the heel is measured by placing your foot in an untrasound unit. The package price for all 5 screenings is $149.
Further information is available on line at www.lifelinescreening.com.
To learn more about stroke, who is at risk, and the warning signs of stroke, contact the Central Connecticut Health District at 721-2822.
It's not too late to get a flu shot
The flu season is here and you can still protect yourself and your family. It is not too late to get a flu shot. There is plenty of vaccine available. Flu typically peaks in our area in February, so December and even January are not too late. For information about the flu or where you can get your shot, visit the American Lung Association's Flu Clinic Locator at www.flucliniclocator.org or call (800) LUNG-USA.
Flu shots are recommended for everyone and particularly those over age 50, anyone with chronic diseases such as diabetes or asthma, women who are pregnant, health care workers in direct patient care, children over age six months, or caregivers of those at risk.
Each year, the flu kills as many as 36,000 people. A flu shot does not give you the flu.
The American Lung Association of New England is part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the U.S. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis, our mission today is to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control and all lung disease.
