Valleywide Health News, July 10-16, 2014

BLOOD DRIVE PLANNED AT LIBRARIES

United Blood Services plans to host a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 26 at the Centennial Hills Library, 6711 N. Buffalo Drive (702-507-6100); from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 26 and Aug. 16 at the Sunrise Library, 5400 E. Harris Ave. (702-507-3900); and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 12 at the Whitney Library, 5175 E. Tropicana Ave. (702-507-4010).

To register, call 702-638-7400 or visit bloodhero.com. Walk-ins are welcome.

MEDICARE PRESENTATION SET FOR JULY 16

Medicare Made Clear, a presentation by Susan Valdez and Carl Bahr, is slated for 5:30 p.m. July 16 at Southwest Medical Associates Lifestyle Center-West, 8670 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 105. To RSVP or for more information, call 855-861-8277.

MEDICARE INFORMATION SESSION SCHEDULED AT WEST CHARLESTON LIBRARY

A Medicare information session is planned from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 17 at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd. Adults 50 or older are encouraged to attend.

For more information, call 702-507-3964.

FALLS PREVENTION OPEN HOUSE PLANNED JULY 24

A Falls Prevention open house event with Barry Bornstein is planned from noon to 1 p.m. July 24 at Southwest Medical Associates Lifestyle Center-West, 8670 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 105. To RSVP or for more information, call 855-606-1425.

BREASTFEEDING RESOURCE FAIR SET FOR AUG. 9 AT SPRINGS PRESERVE

The Southern Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition plans to host a Nurturing Naturally: A Breastfeeding Resource Fair in celebration of World Breastfeeding Month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 9 in the Partnership Room at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd.

The group’s goal is to celebrate and support breastfeeding women and promote public awareness of services and resources available for prenatal women, new parents and young children. Activities, raffles, education and giveaways are planned at the free, indoor event.

For more information, visit snvbreastfeeding.org.

HOME SAFETY CHECKLIST OFFERED FOR SENIORS

In recognition of National Safety Month, Home Instead Senior Care is offering a free home safety checklist for seniors and their families.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 20 million seniors 65 or older visit the emergency room each year, with almost a third of the visits related to injuries, many sustained in the home. However, almost half of all home accidents by seniors can be avoided, according to a recent survey of ER doctors, conducted by the Home Instead Senior Care network.

Senior home safety experts recommend that adult children of seniors perform a thorough safety check of their parents’ home at least once a year.

To request a free home safety checklist, call 702-796-6393. For other resources, including online safety assessment and recommendations for inexpensive modifications, visit makinghomesaferforseniors.com.

FIBROMYALGIA FRIENDS SUPPORT GROUP ANNOUNCES TEEN PROGRAM

The Fibromyalgia Friends Support Group of Southern Nevada, a nonprofit based in Henderson, has announced the initiation of a teen program to educate and provide support for middle, high school and college age teenagers with fibromyalgia.

The program will take place monthly via Google Hangouts from 7 to 8 p.m. the second Thursday of each month. Ten people will be able to join each meeting each month. For instructions about how to participate, visit fmfriends.org. and click on “Teen Meetings.”

WALK WITH A DOC PLANNED FOR THIRD THURSDAYS AT LORENZI PARK

University Medical Center plans to host free Walk With A Doc events at 7 a.m. the third Thursday of each month at Lorenzi Park, 3333 W. Washington Ave. Participants are asked to meet at the tennis courts.

The program emphasizes 150 minutes of exercise as a way to become healthier and for people to be better informed about their health. Each walk will open with a three- to five-minute health talk followed by a 30- to 45-minute walk. During the walk, a physician who is the featured speaker will answer general health questions.

For more information, umcsn.com.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP HOSTS WEEKLY MEETINGS

GriefShare, a national program for those dealing with loss, meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Canyon Ridge Christian Church, 6200 W. Lone Mountain Road. Weekly meetings include showings and discussion. For more information, call the group at 702-481-5833.

SENIOR GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP MEETS BIMONTHLY

A grief support group for seniors is set to meet the second and fourth Fridays of the month at 9 a.m. at the Centennial Hills Active Adult Center, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive.

For more information, call 702-229-1702.