Valleywide Health News, Jan. 8-14, 2015
SMOKING CESSATION CLASSES PLANNED THROUGH APRIL
The American Lung Association plans to host smoking cessation classes through April at locations around the valley. Sessions feature a step-by-step plan for quitting smoking, with each session designed to help smokers gain control over their behavior. The clinic format encourages participants to work on the process and problems of quitting both individually and as part of a group.
Clinics are scheduled for:
— 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Feb. 16 at Desert Springs Hospital, 2075 E. Flamingo Road, in the South Magna Conference Center to the right of the main entrance; call Richard Davis at 702-431-6348 or visit tinyurl.com/qhxx63z.
— 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Feb. 17 at Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada, 4770 Harrison Drive, Suite 105; call Richard Davis at 702-431-6348 or visit tinyurl.com/qhxx63z.
— 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Jan. 10-Feb. 28 at the Aliante Library, 2400 W. Deer Springs Way; call Deb Sgambati at 702-334-8836.
— 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 12-Feb. 23 at 3552 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 130; call Jocelyn Cluver at 219-916-1085.
— 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 13-Feb. 24 at The Center, 401 S. Maryland Parkway; call Sabra McWhirter at 702-358-4347.
— 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 14-March 4 at Jesus is the Answer Ministries, 509 Alexander Road; call Patricia Washington at 702-452-5526.
— 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays upon request, St. Christopher’s School En Espanol, 1840 N. Bruce St., Room 8; call Rocio Galicia at 702-376-7429.
— 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 12-Feb. 16 at Whitney Ranch Recreation Center, 1575 Galleria Drive; call Susan Taylor at 702-267-5850.
— 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 24-April 7 at the Aljian Conference Center at St. Rose Dominican Hospital’s San Martin Campus, 8280 W. Warm Springs Road; call Kimberlee Kobernick at 702-616-4900 or register at dignityhealth.org/las-vegas/classes-and-events.
GRACE IN THE DESERT PLANS JAN. 10 HEALTH FAIR
Grace in the Desert Episcopal Church, 2004 Spring Gate Lane, plans to host a health fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 10. Expect representatives from AARP, Nathan Adelson Hospice, the H2U Health Center at Mountian View Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.
For more information, visit graceofsummerlin.org.
WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY SEMINARS PLANNED
Free weight loss surgery informational seminars are planned for 10 a.m. Jan. 10 and 31 and 6:30 p.m. Jan. 15 and 20 at the Surgical Weight Control Center, 3802 Meadows Lane. Anyone considering weight loss surgery, including gastric sleeve, lap band or gastric bypass, or who would simply like to learn more about the various surgeries, is invited to attend seminars presented by Dr. Jim Atkinson or Dr. Darren Soong.
To register, call 702-313-8446.
SEMINARS TO ADDRESS SURGERY FOR KNEE AND HIP PAIN
Seminars focusing on surgical options for knee and hip pain are planned from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 and 26 and Feb. 12 and 24 in conference rooms 1 and 2 at Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive. They will cover procedures for partial knee resurfacing and total hip replacement using the specialized MAKOplasty technology available only at Centennial Hills Hospital.
To register, call 702-388-4888. For more information, visit centennialhillshospital.com and click on “Hospital Services.”
STATION CASINOS TO HOST WELLNESS EXPO JAN. 21
The 2015 Station Casinos Community Health, Wellness & Senior Expos is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Fiesta Rancho, 2400 N. Rancho Drive. The free event is an opportunity for people to learn about the available services for seniors and their families.
For more information, visit lasvegasseniorexpos.com.
JANUARY IS GLAUCOMA AWARENESS MONTH
January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, and ophthalmologists at the Shepherd Eye Center say early detection is vital to effectively treat the condition.
Glaucoma is a disease in which the optic nerve, which transfers vision to the brain, undergoes progressive, irreversible damage. Often, but not always, it involves a pressure issue in the front portion of the eye and can cause blindness if left untreated. A healthy eye continually produces a small amount of clear fluid, while an equal amount of this fluid flows out of the eye. For many with glaucoma, this fluid does not flow properly. Fluid pressure in the eye builds up and can cause damage to the optic nerve fibers over time.
Glaucoma can be difficult to detect before it reaches the more advanced stages. There are several types. Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common and occurs as a result of aging. It can damage vision gradually and painlessly, and many with it aren’t aware there is a problem until the optic nerve is already badly damaged. Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle of the eye becomes completely blocked. Early-stage symptoms may be absent but can include blurred vision, halos, headaches or mild eye pain or redness. In another variation, Normal-tension glaucoma, the eye pressures can be within normal ranges but patients will still develop glaucoma with increasing blind spots and optic nerve damage.
“Early detection is important to identify those at risk and effectively treat the condition,” said Dr. Dan Eisenberg, a glaucoma specialist at the Shepherd Eye Center.
Risk factors include age, family history, farsightedness or nearsightedness, past eye injuries and genetic predisposition.
A comprehensive eye exam is recommended for all adults starting at age 40. For people at risk and those 60 or older, doctors recommend screening every one to two years. For those who don’t have risk factors, doctors recommend screening every three to five years.
For more information about the Shepherd Eye Center, visit shepherdeye.com or call 702-731-2088.
NATHAN ADELSON HOSPICE COLLECTING SUPPLIES FOR ANIMAL SHELTERS
Nathan Adelson Hospice’s Pet Therapy Program is holding its fourth annual Dog Bed & Blanket Drive through Feb. 28 to benefit animals in local shelters. Community members are invited to donate new or gently used items at the hospice’s locations at 4141 Swenson St.; 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 350; and 1201 Nevada State Drive in Henderson.
The donations will then be delivered to the shelters throughout the two months. Items being collected include: dog beds; blankets; towels; and unopened dog food.
For more information, visit nah.org.
POWER OF LOVE GALA TO BENEFIT KEEP MEMORY ALIVE
Keep Memory Alive’s 19th annual Power of Love Gala is set for June 13 to raise funds for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, 888 W. Bonneville Ave. The event is set to feature Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and friends and include live auctions, wine and cocktails, and cuisine by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.
Tickets now on sale at keepmemoryalive.org/pol. For more information, call 702-263-9797 or email events@keepmemoryalive.org.
SUMMERLIN HOSPITAL TO HOST STROLLER STRIDES CLASS
A new Stroller Strides Fit4Mom class is planned from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays on the campus of Summerlin Hospital Medical Center at 653 N. Town Center Drive.
Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms do with their babies. Activities include power walking/jogging and intervals of strength and body toning exercise using exercise tubing, a stroller and the environment. The class is taught by certified fitness instructors with specialty training in the pre- and postnatal woman. Instructors weave songs and activities into the routine designed to engage and entertain the babies.
Registration is required. To enroll, visit lasvegas.fit4mom.com.
FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE FOR OLDER RESIDENTS
Home Bound Healthcare of Las Vegas is offering flu shots at home for adults 65 or older who are part of the high-risk category for getting the flu. Shots in the home are available to those younger than 65 who have a disability that makes it difficult for them to leave the home.
The service is offered at no out-of-pocket expense for those with Medicare coverage. The cost for the in-home vaccine for those without coverage is $25.
If you don’t fit the qualifications for receiving the flu shot at home but still want to get it, Home Bound also provides the vaccine in its office, 1350 S. Jones Blvd., Suite 240, and is available to schedule flu shot clinics at community buildings, senior housing facilities and with other organizations.
For more information or to make an appointment, call 702-433-0800.
FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE
The Southern Nevada Health District is offering flu vaccine clinics. The cost of the shot is $40; the high-dose vaccine for people 65 or older is $56.
For more information or locations, visit snhd.info, or contact the immunization clinic at 702-759-0850.
ADELSON HOSPICE ADDS REIKI TRAINING
Nathan Adelson Hospice has added on-site Level I Reiki training and certification. The addition of a Reiki Master to the hospice’s staff has made it possible to offer the certified course in-house, making it easier for more people to become qualified. Additionally, the staff will be teaching the new Reiki practitioners how to use essential oils effectively.
The free services program also offers pet therapy, reflexology, massage, aromatherapy, art therapy and music therapy.
For more information, visit nah.org.
