Health Briefs 08-15-16
Classes, seminars
n Managing Your Diabetes, 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. Topics include the importance of controlling blood sugars, diabetes medications, lifestyle changes, meal planning and methods to reduce risk of complications. Registration required: 724-258-1483.
n Weight Loss Surgery for a Healthier You, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Community Room 2, main lobby, Uniontown Hospital. Anyone considering bariatric surgery is encouraged to attend this free session. Information: 724-430-LOSE.
n Safe Sitter Program, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Community Room 1, main lobby, Uniontown Hospital. Children will learn about safety for the sitter, safety precautions to prevent accidents from happening and more. The course is recognized for excellence by the American Academy of Pediatrics. A $17.50 fee is to cover materials. Registration required: 724-430-6925.
n Childbirth and labor prep courses, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Community Room 1, main lobby, Uniontown Hospital. Family Beginnings Birthing Center nurses teach about pregnancy discomforts, labor and delivery, pain relief options, potential complications, breathing and relaxation, self and infant care. A tour will also be given. Pre-registration required: 724-430-4646.
n Advanced Carbohydrate Counting, 6-8 p.m. Aug. 24, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. This program is a diabetes self-management class. Topics include how to track effects of carbohydrates and blood sugar, glycemic index and how to read food nutrition labels. Registration required: 724-258-1483.
n Healthy eating supermarket tours, 6-8 p.m. Aug. 25, Finleyville Giant Eagle, 3701 Route 88. Health care professionals from MVH will conduct the tours and discuss “heart healthy eating.” The program is free, but registration required: 724-258-1483.
n Infant and child CPR class, 6-9 p.m. Aug. 25, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. Learn how to help a choking baby or small child including clearing airways and CPR. The $40 fee is payable to VHSTC and advance registration is required by calling the Valley Health an Safety Training Center: 724-684-9536.
Support groups
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. first and third Monday of the month (except for holidays), Mount Macrina Retreat Center, Uniontown. The group is a 12-step recovery program for women and men, age 18 or older, who were sexually abused by a trusted person as a child. Information: peopleofcourage@gmail.com or siawso.org.
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 Celebrate Recovery meetings 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Abundant Life Church, 1239 Brownfield Road, Uniontown. The program is based on biblical principles with the purpose of letting God restore the mental, physical and emotional.
n Cancer support group, 2 p.m. today, Monongahela Valley Hospital, 7-East Family Room. The group is free and open to all cancer patients and their families. Information: 724-258-1704.
n Ostomy support group, 2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. This group is free and open to all persons with ostomies and their families and friends. Information: 724-258-1773.
n Stroke support group, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Community Room 1, main lobby, Uniontown Hospital. Meetings include a guest speaker, blood pressure readings, medication review and more. Information: 724-430-5212.
n Suicide bereavement support group, 1-2:30 p.m. Aug. 22, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. This group is a four-month program that meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month and is led by a licensed psychologist and is free and open to those touched by suicide. Registration required: 724-268-1144.
n Stroke support group, 1-2:30 p.m. Aug. 25, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. The group is designed for patients and caregivers to share, learn and grow with others who understand the daily challenges. Information: 724-258-1455.
n Violent crime parent/family support group, initiated by The Crime Victims’ Center starting in September at the Crime Victims’ Center conference room located at Oliver Square Plaza off of Route 51 in Uniontown. The group is for parents/families who have lost a child due to a violent crime (homicides, DUI crashes and others). Topics will include discussing the grief process, denial, anger, guilt, fear and sharing ideas. The group will include guest speakers discussing the legal/court system, a family therapist to discuss tools to keep the family together and difficulties that may arise between a husband and wife. There is no fee. Registration: 724-438-1470.
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. Information: 724-438-1470; Crisis Hotline: 724-437-3737.
Events
n Wednesday Walks/Celebration Picnic 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Knights of Columbus on Gallatin Ave. Ext. Join the group for the end of year picnic celebration. Bring a healthy side dish. The entree, dessert and drinks will be provided by the task force. Information: 724-998-5935 or the group’s Facebook page.
n Mobile medical unit, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Rep. Tim Mahoney’s Uniontown office, 66-A Lebanon Ave. No appointments needed for free blood pressure, glucose, breast cancer screenings as well as breast cancer screenings including mammogram vouchers for the uninsured or under insured. People should bring insurance card, name of last doctor and pharmacy used, proof of income (such as most recent tax return) if uninsured, lists of medications and known allergies and contact and next-of-kin information.
n MVH 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 is hosting the blood drive to benefit local patients. Information and registration: 724-494-4090 or redcrosslife.org.
n American Red Cross blood drive, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 22, Community Room 1, main lobby, Uniontown Hospital. The drive is open to the public. Appointments are not necessary but can be made by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
n Exercises classes, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Center in the Woods, 130 Woodland Court, Brownsville. Classes include chair dancing at 9:30 a.m. followed by healthy steps at 11 a.m. Information: 724-938-3554.