Health Report 7-20-12
Beware of ticks
Larry Dapsis of the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension of Barnstable County will give a presentation on tick-borne diseases, including Lyme, at 11 a.m. July 20 at the Brewster Ladies' Library, 1822 Main St. The event covers "Protect Yourself, Your Yard and Your Pet." Free program.
Falmouth Hospital benefit evening
Cape Cod Healthcare holds its annual "Summer Evening to Benefit Falmouth Hospital" beginning at 6 p.m. July 21 at Highfield Hall in Falmouth. Plenty of food, live and silent auctions, and live music and dancing to the music of the Sultans of Swing. $175. Tickets: 508-457-9700.
Senior Care conference
The Home Instead Senior Care Network and the American Society on Aging are hosting a free Web conference at noon July 25, to assist family members who are caregivers for a loved one. Participants may pre-register at caregiverstress.com/familyeducation. Topics include balancing work and at-home care; senior cognitive issues; financial questions and more.
Pan-Mass Challenge
The House Company Remodeling in Barnstable is sponsoring cyclist Jeff Goldstein in this year's Pan Mass Challenge, a 192-mile cycling event from Sturbridge to Provincetown on Aug. 4 and 5, to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Those wishing to contribute to his ride may do so at http://www.pmc.org/profile/JG0277 or mail a check to Jeff Goldstein, c/o The House Company, PO Box 1166, Barnstable MA 02630 (check payable to "PMC").
Against the Tide
The annual Cape Cod Against the Tide event, sponsored by the Mass. Breast Cancer Coalition, will be held at Nickerson State Park on Aug. 18, from 7 a.m. to noon. Visit www.mbcc.org/swim or call 800-649-6222 for more details or to register.
Debuts new website
Emerald Physicians has a new website at www.emeraldphysicians.com. The new portal will offer a secure means to view medical records, request appointments or medication, and more. Users will also have access to a comprehensive local resource guide for economic, legal and medical information.
Yoga flow for Breast Cancer
Cape Cod Rehab is offering a new yoga class for breast cancer patients and survivors, to be held Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 at Cape Cod Rehab, 735 Attucks Lane, Hyannis. $10 class, $40 five classes. Try the first class free! More info at 508-778-5000.
Red Cross news and events
For a complete list of Red Cross classes, more information or registration, visit www.cciredcross.org or call 508-775-1540.
Parkinson's speech exercise group
Spaulding speech and language pathologist Lee Lacroix leads an ongoing monthly interactive speech group, "Vibrant Voices," at Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak St., Harwich. The group is designed for people with Parkinson's disease who have completed a Lee Silverman Voice Treatment program within the last two years. Free screening prior to participation. More information at 508-240-7203.
AA, Al-Anon, Alateen meetings
A listing of all current Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the local area is available at http://www.capecodaa.com/
A list of Al-Anon and Alateen meetings is available at www.ma-al-anon-alateen.org (click on "Find a Meeting" and enter your town), or call the South Dennis office of Al-Anon at 508-394-4555 for assistance.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders (PFLAG) meets monthly in two locations, to provide support, educate others and advocate for equal treatment. Meetings are the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. (First Parish Church, Route 6A, Brewster), and the last Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth, 840 Sandwich Road, East Falmouth.
SolAmor partners with veterans group
SolAmor Hospice, with a Cape Cod location at 123 Waterhouse Road, Bourne, has become a national partner of We Honor Veterans, a campaign developed by National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. The partnership will enable SolAmor to better serve the many U.S. veterans who need hospice and palliative care services. More information is available by contacting mimi.nolan@solamorhospice.com.
Mental illness support group
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Cape Cod & the Islands offers support groups for families with a member who has a mental health situation or condition. The group meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Route 6A, Barnstable Village; and the 1st Thursday of the month at 7 p.m., First Congregational Church, Main St., Chatham.
NAMI support groups for people with mental illnesses are held at Federated Church, Main St., Orleans (monthly, 2nd and last Saturday, 10-11:30 a.m.); NAMI Cape Cod, 5 Mark Lane, Hyannis (weekly on Thursday, 5:30 to 7 p.m.); and Gus Canty Recreation Center, 790 Main St., Falmouth (weekly on Thursday, 1:30 to 3 p.m.).
For more information, call 508-778-4277 or visit www.nami.org/sites/capecod.
Rehabilitation Hospital offerings
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod in Sandwich hosts Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous meetings every Sunday 9:30 to 11 a.m. … AA meets Saturdays, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. … A support group addressing issues of early onset Alzheimer's meets the fourth Monday of each month, 5 to 6:30 p.m. … A fibromyalgia support group meets the fourth Thursday of the month, 5 to 6:30 p.m. … The aphasia support group meets the first Wednesday of the month, 10-11:30 a.m. … The MS support group meets the third Sunday of the month, 1 to 3 p.m. … A stroke survivors support group meets the second Wednesday of the month, 1:30 to 3 p.m. … A mild brain injury and aneurysm support group meets the third Saturday of the month, 2 to 4 p.m. … Food Addicts in Recovery meets every Sunday, 9:30 to 11 a.m. … Parkinson's support group meets the fourth Wednesday of each month, 2 p.m. … Hearing screenings are held the second Wednesday of each month by appointment (508-833-4141). Driver rehabilitation program: Those whose driving ability has been compromised by illness, injury or normal aging may take part in the Driver Assessment Program being offered at Spaulding (508-833-4141).
Call 508-833-4008 for details on these and other programs. Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod is located at 311 Service Road, East Sandwich.
Lyme Disease support group
There's a Lyme disease support group that meets from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month at Cape Cod Covenant Church in Brewster. For more information, phone Scott Caseau at 508-957-2535.
Open Wide for free dental care
The Tri-County Collaborative for Oral Health Excellence has launched an Open Wide Preschool Dental Disease Prevention Program that will offer several preventive dental procedures at no cost, along with assistance in finding affordable dental care offices. More information on the program, call BL Hathaway at 508-255-0009. The local Tri-CCOHE office is located at 115 Enterprise Road, Hyannis.
Caregiver support program
The Family Caregiver Support Program at Elder Services of Cape Cod & Islands provides training and assistance for family caregivers. To determine eligibility to receive services, call 508-394-4630.
Dare to Be Alive
DTBA hosts an education and support group for individuals interested in organ donation, which will meet at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, at Cape Cod Hospital in the Cape Cod Five room. All are welcome. More information at 508-398-1260.
New brain injury support group
The Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts has formed a new brain injury support group for survivors, caregivers and families. Meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon at Mashpee Public Library, 64 Steeple St. More information at 1-888-607-7678 or at www.biama.org.
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support
An Alzheimer's Community Caregivers Support Group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 3 to 5 p.m. at Harbor Point at Centerville, 22 Richardson Road, led by Tamara Peach, Harbor Point's program director. The meetings will provide an opportunity to learn more about the disease and offer tips on ways to cope. Free and open to the public. RSVP to 508-778-2311.
The Clinical Research Center of Cape Cod, 131 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, will hold free preventive health screenings for blood pressure and glucose on the second Thursday of each month, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information or an appointment, call 508-375-6360.
Stretch your food budget
Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Islands can assist those who may be having a hard time putting affordable and nutritious meals on the table during these hard times. All can apply for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) – Call SNAP Outreach for more information or to set up an appointment: 508-771-1727 x 164.
Grief support programs from Beacon Hospice
All groups are open to all and free of charge. Registration is required: call 508-778-1622 ext. 20.
Individual and group grief support groups
The Grief Support and Referral Center of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital provides individual and group counseling for needs surrounding grief, transition and loss. Current groups include "Spousal Loss Group," "Adult Parental Loss," "Young Widows," "Brown Bag Bereavement Lunch," "Transforming Grief Through the Mind/Body Connection" and "Adults Living Through Grief."
Most insurance is accepted and no one is turned away for inability to pay. The center's Hyannis office is at 765 Attucks Lane, and there are offices in Falmouth, Hyannis and Brewster. For information on all programs, call coordinator Ann Geagan at 508-957-0268.
Overcoming ostomy problems
The VNA of Cape Cod holds ongoing free ostomy clinics. The clinics will include a one-hour visit with a wound, ostomy and continence nurse. Clinics are held second and fourth Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon at VNA of Cape Cod, 434 Route 134 in South Dennis. For an appointment, call 508-957-7476.
Mended Hearts meets at CCH
Members of the Mended Hearts group meet every third Thursday at 4 p.m. at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis to discuss heart disease and share experiences. Those with heart disease and members of their family are welcome. Contact Tim Crane at 508-896-2560 or club President Pat Boris at 508-896-5941 or go to www.capecodmendedhearts.com.
VNA offerings
The Visiting Nurses Association, in conjunction with the Massachusetts chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, offers Young at Heart/PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise) at several Cape locations. A low-cost fee and a doctor's approval are required for participation. For more information on location or registration, or to observe a class, call 1-877-267-7700.
Help for moms
The Center for Breastfeeding, 327 Quaker Meeting House Rd. in East Sandwich, offers classes for moms and children all year long. Free lactation counseling and pump and supplies use are also available.
For class times and more information, call 508-888-8044. HIV/AIDS testing, counseling
The Cape Cod Free Clinic & Community Health Center offers free, confidential testing for HIV and AIDS at its Falmouth and Mashpee offices. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 508-477-7090.
Independence House hosts support groups
Independence House in Hyannis sponsors a seeking safety support group at the office in Falmouth Hospital on Mondays at 5:30 p.m.; a children's empowerment group on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the office in Hyannis; and a self-esteem focus group on Thursdays at the Hyannis office at 5:30 p.m. Call 508-771-6507.
Cancer support in Mashpee
Cape Cod Healthcare offers a Living With Cancer education support group that meets Tuesdays at the Mashpee Health Center, 5 Industrial Rd. Call 508-539-6215.
Cape Cod Healthcare provides options for behavioral health, physical rehabilitation
The Kids and Teens Behavioral Health Assessment Center, 460 West Main St. in Hyannis, provides families with behavioral health assessments and treatment plans, as well as referrals and information about behavioral health services. Call 508-790-5903.
The Health section welcomes news of programs in Barnstable and surrounding towns, as well as achievements and events. Send your news to The Barnstable Patriot, ATT: Health, PO Box 1208, Hyannis MA 02601; or by fax to 508-790-3997, marked HEALTH; or to listings@barnstablepatriot.com