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Valleywide Health News, Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2014

SMARTPHONE APP RELEASED FOR HEALTH INSURANCE

The Nevada Division of Insurance has launched a new smartphone app called NDOI Connect and the health insurance website nvinsurance101.com.

NDOI Connect is available to download free from the Apple App store and the Google Play store. It provides some of the most popular online services that the division offers, including: the ability to file a complaint through the app; the ability to compare custom health insurance rates and plan information for 2015; the ability to compare custom title insurance rates and escrow fees based off the cost of your home and county of residence; the ability to search for and verify the license of an agent, agency, carrier or exchange enrollment facilitator; the ability to view division bulletins; the ability to view upcoming division public meetings and hearings; and the ability to contact the division through the app.

The website was created to help Nevadans understand the basics of health insurance, including how to understand the difference between health plans, such as PPOs and HMOs, and how deductibles, copays and co-insurance work and affect the cost of care.

RAINBOW LIBRARY TO HOST FREE SOCIAL SECURITY WORKSHOP

The Rainbow Library, 3150 N. Buffalo Drive, is scheduled to host a free workshop, “Unleash Your Retirement Superpowers,” from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30 and 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 1.

The workshop is targeted at those who are between ages 40 and 67 and will focus on maximizing Social Security benefits, health care and tax-free retirement income. All attendees will receive a free, personalized Social Security maximization report.

Seating is limited, so an RSVP is required by calling 702-498-2445.

FLOYD LAMB PARK TO HOST LUNG FORCE WALK NOV. 1

The American Lung Association in Nevada-Las Vegas plans to host its annual Lung Force Walk at noon Nov. 1 at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs, 9200 Tule Springs Road. Presented by Kindred Hospital Las Vegas, the 5K walk will raise funds for those who suffer from lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other lung diseases.

A fall-themed festival with free food and refreshments, beer and wine for sale, craft vendors and live music by My Villain Heart is planned, along with a health fair where walkers can receive free flu shots, health and wellness information and additional health screenings.

Families and leashed dogs are welcome. Participation in the walk is free, however, participants are encouraged to register and raise funds by making a minimum personal donation of $100. Walkers 17 or younger must be accompanied by an adult.

All proceeds benefit the American Lung Association. To register, visit lungforce.org/walk or call 702-431-6333.

CAMBRIDGE RECREATION CENTER TO HOST WELLNESS EXPO NOV. 1

The Cambridge Recreation Center, 3930 Cambridge St., plans to host a free wellness expo from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1. Set to attend are The Caring Place, the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, the New Nevada Health Link, Healthy Choice Enterprise Inc., the American Cancer Society, Consumer Assistance & Resource Enterprise, The Wellness Project of Las Vegas, LV Sportz Foundation, Nevada ADRC, Nevada Senior Medicare Patrol, Walgreens and Nevada State Health Insurance Assistance.

To attend, visit clarkcountynv.gov/parksregistration and register with the code 702103, or call 702-455-7169.

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: Nov. 1, 10 a.m.; 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.

RESET SUMMERLIN SET FOR NOV. 1 AT THE FIT LABS

Reset Summerlin is planned from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Nov. 1 at The Fit Labs, 8645 W. Flamingo Road, Suite 104.

The event is generally held the first Saturday of every month and is planned to be followed the next day by the Sunday Reset Project. This month’s Sunday Reset Project is scheduled from 8 to 11 a.m. at Turntable Health, 701 Bridger Ave., Suite 150.

Learn how to reset once a month through movement, a lecture and food. The cost is $15 per person. For more information, visit theresetprojectlv.com or facebook.com/theresetproject.

FARE WALK FOR FOOD ALLERGY PLANNED NOV. 2 IN HENDERSON

The Food Allergy Research & Education Walk for Food Allergy is planned for 11 a.m. Nov. 2 at Cornerstone Park, 1600 Wigwam Parkway. It will raise funds to find a cure and increase awareness about food allergies. TV’s “Supernanny” Jo Frost, National Ambassador of the FARE Walk for Food Allergy, is set to lead the walk.

Participants can sign up as individuals or as part of a team. For more information, visit foodallergywalk.org/lasvegas2014.

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.

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 GROUP 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.

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.

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 AT SMITH’S

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.

PROGRAM TO EXPLORE SELF MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC DISEASES

A Chronic Diseases Self-Management program is scheduled from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays through Nov. 14 at the Centennial Hills Active Adult Center, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive.

The workshops cover chronic illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. Admission is free but requires advance registration and is open to members of the center who have paid the $2 yearly membership fee.

To sign up, call 702-229-1702.

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.

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