Valleywide Health News, Nov. 6-12, 2014

MEDICARE ENROLLMENT OPEN THROUGH DEC. 7

Seniors who would like to review and possibly change their Medicare health and prescription drug coverage for 2015 can do so through Dec. 7, when the Medicare Open Enrollment period closes.

Medicare coverage options and costs change annually, so enrollees are encouraged to review options. Seniors who are happy with their coverage do not need to do anything.

Open enrollment selections can be made at medicare.gov. If you enroll in or make changes to your plan during the annual open enrollment period, new coverage will begin Jan. 1. You should continue to pay premiums for your old coverage through Dec. 31.

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program provides information, counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries in Nevada through a statewide network of volunteers offering free, one-on-one assistance and counseling about problems seniors encounter regarding Medicare, supplemental health insurance and long-term care.

For more information, call 800-307-4444 or 702-486-3478, or visit nvaging.net/ship/ship_main.htm.

WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY SEMINARS SET

Free weight loss surgery informational seminars are scheduled at the Surgical Weight Control Center, 3802 Meadows Lane, for the following dates and times: Nov. 6, 6:30 p.m.; Nov. 11, 6:30 p.m.; and Nov. 22, 10 a.m. Anyone considering weight loss surgery, including gastric sleeve, lapband or gastric bypass, or who would simply like to learn more about the various surgeries, is invited to attend. Seminars are presented by Dr. Jim Atkinson or Dr. Darren Soong.

To register, call 702-313-8446.

MARCH OF DIMES PLANS WOMEN’S HEALTH SYMPOSIUM NOV. 8

The March of Dimes: 2014 Women’s Health Symposium is planned for 8 a.m. Nov. 8 at The Innevation Center, 6795 Edmond St. It aims to educate healthcare providers and community leaders on identifying women who are at risk for preterm birth, manage women at risk for preterm birth and decrease the adverse outcomes associated with preterm birth.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/n8hvdyd.

VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE BALL SET FOR NOV. 8

Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada plans to host its sixth annual Volunteers in Medicine Ball at 6 p.m. Nov. 8 in the Palazzo Ballroom at the Palazzo, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

The fundraiser will honor community leaders who support the group’s mission. Volunteers in Medicine is nonprofit dedicated to providing the uninsured with access to preventative and comprehensive medical care.

The event is black tie optional and includes a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner, dancing and entertainment. Individual tickets are $300.

For more information, email Melissa Coetzee at melissac@vmsn.org.

SEMINARS SET AT CENTENNIAL HILLS HOSPITAL FOR KNEE AND HIP SURGICAL OPTIONS

Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center, 6900 N. Durango Drive, plans to host seminars in November regarding surgical options for knee and hip pain. The seminars will be offered in conference rooms 1 and 2.

Seminars are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10, with Dr. Ronald Hillock, and Nov. 24, with Dr. Mark Rosen. Part of the discussion will be procedures for partial knee resurfacing and total hip replacement using specialized MAKOplasty technology available only at Centennial Hills Hospital.

To register for a seminar, call 702-388-4888. For more information, visit centennialhillshospital.com and click on “Hospital Services.”

BEREAVEMENT GROUP TO MEET AT TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM

A bereavement group plans to meet at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 12 and 26 at Temple Beth Sholom, 10700 Havenwood Lane.

The meetings are open to the community, and coffee is served.

For more information, email vegasrita1@aol.com or call 702-596-4321.

CHRONIC LUNG CONDITION GROUPS TO MEET

Better Breathers, a support group for people living with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer or other chronic lung conditions, is set to meet from 1 to 2 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Southwest Medical Associates Lifestyle Center-West, 8680 W. Cheyenne Ave.

Family and friends are welcome to come in support of their loved one. Meetings are planned for the second Thursday of each month. To RSVP, call 702-677-3056.

O2 On the Go, a support group for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is slated to meet from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 21 at the H2U Mountainview Office, 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 114.

Meetings are set for the third Friday of every month. For more information, call 702-233-5474.

UMC PLANS INFANT MASSAGE, CHILDBIRTH CLASSES

University Medical Center plans to host a free infant massage class from 1 to 2 p.m. Nov. 14 for infants 6 weeks to 1 year at the Family Resource Center, 1120 Shadow Lane. The class will teach techniques to calm and relax your baby and promote better sleep.

To register, call 702-383-2000 and include your child’s name and date of birth, or visit umcsn.com.

UMC also plans to host a childbirth class at the Family Resource Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 15. The class is designed to teach parents about the birth process, including breathing techniques, comfort measures and relaxation.

The class is free for parents to plan to deliver at UMC. All others pay a $35 fee. To register, call 702-383-2229 or visit umcsn.com.

LILI CLAIRE FOUNDATION TO HOST BENEFIT CONCERT, POKER TOURNAMENT NOV. 15

The Lili Claire Foundation plans to host the Live Your Passion Celebrity Benefit and Concert, along with a poker tournament, Nov. 15 at The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Performances by All-4-One and Stephen Bishop are planned, along with comedian Bob Saget. A silent auction also is planned.

The event will raise funds for the foundation, which offers support services for the families of children born with neurogenetic conditions such as Williams syndrome, Down syndrome or autism. Tickets are $50 for general admission and $125 for VIP. For tickets, visit venetian.com or call 702-414-9000.

For more information about the foundation, visit liliclaire.org.

RAINBOW LIBRARY TO HOST AFFORDABLE CARE ACT INFO SESSION

An Affordable Care Act information session is slated for 6 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Rainbow Library, 3150 N. Buffalo Drive. For more information, call 702-507-3710.

SOUTHWEST MEDICAL LIFESTYLE CENTER TO HOST MEDICARE PRESENTATION

A Medicare Made Clear presentation is slated from noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 18 at Southwest Medical Lifestyle Center-West, 8670 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 105.

The program will be an informational overview. To RSVP, call 855-861-8277.

LEARN ABOUT THE HOLIDAY BLUES

The Holly Daze open house event, a presentation on seasonal affective disorder and holiday blues with Stephanie Glover, MA, is set from noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Southwest Medical Associates Lifestyle Center-West, 8670 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 105.

To RSVP, call 855-606-1425.

NEVADA CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION PLANS GALA FOR NOV. 22

The Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation plans to present its 21st Annual Profiles of Courage Dinner Gala and auction at 6 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

During the event, the foundation plans to honor several “heroes,” children in foundation programs, for their strength and courage, along with presenting other awards. Proceeds will benefit the foundation’s Project ARK (Aids & Resources for Kids), the psychological, emotional, educational and financial support services for families of children with cancer and life-threatening illnesses, as well as the foundation’s adult services program, The Caring Place, which provides healing arts and wellness programs for adults touched by cancer.

Tickets are $250. For tickets, call 702-735-8434 or visit nvccf.org.

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.

FREE DIABETIC FOOT SCREENINGS PLANNED

Smith’s, the Las Vegas Summerlin Lions Club and the nonprofit Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention (LEAP) Alliance have teamed up to offer free foot screenings, which are simple and painless, to help prevent diabetes-related foot amputation.

The preventative screening program is being offered at two Smith’s locations: 2211 N. Rampart Blvd. and 8555 W. Sahara Ave. To make an appointment, call 702-765-5793.

Free foot screening also is being offered by appointment at the Summerlin Hospital Medical Building, 673 Town Center Drive, Suite 400, provided by the Summerlin Lions Club medical team.

To schedule a screening, call 702-765-5793 and specify the appointment is for a free foot screening.

LOU RUVO CENTER OFFERS SUPPORT GROUPS, SERVICES

Free multiple sclerosis counseling services are offered at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, 888 W. Bonneville Ave. Individual, couple and family therapy are available to address a range of issues related to mood, adjustment to diagnosis, relationships and care giving. Also, a multiple sclerosis support group is scheduled to meet from noon to 1 p.m. the first Thursday of every month for adult family members of individuals with MS. For more information, call 702-483-6006 or email fairchj@ccf.org.

A Huntington’s disease support group is scheduled to meet from noon to 1 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of every month. The group is for gene positive individuals (asymptomatic and early stage) and adult family members. For more information, call 702-483-6035 or email municd@ccf.org.

A memory loss caregiver support group is scheduled to meet from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. Wednesdays. The group is for adult family members who provide care and/or support for loved ones with memory loss and is facilitated by Dr. Donna Munic-Miller. For more information, call 702-483-6035 or email municd@ccf.org.

A Parkinson’s disease support group is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month. The group is for early-stage individuals and adult family members who provide care and/or support for loved ones with Parkinson’s disease. Separate groups meet at the same time. Phone screening for new early-stage participants is required. For more information, call 702-483-6054 or email cliffoj@ccf.org.

For more information on programs and services, visit keepmemoryalive.org/socialservices.

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.