Valleywide Health News, Dec. 11-17, 2014

UNLV MOBILITY STUDY SEEKS PARTICIPANTS

The Department of Physical Therapy at UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, plans to conduct a mobility study titled Walking Function and Mobility of Older Men and Women. Participants are sought who are older than 50 and can walk 150 feet without help. Appointments are available from 8:15 a.m. to noon Dec. 12 and can be signed up for at the social monitor station at the Desert Vista Community Center, 10360 Sun City Blvd. in Sun City Summerlin.

Each appointment will take no longer than 20 minutes and will consist of a Timed Up & Go test and a 6-minute walk test.

For more information, visit unlv.edu/pt.

SUMMERLIN HOSPITAL TO HOST MEMORY TREE LIGHTING

Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, 657 N. Town Center Drive, plans to host a memory tree lighting event for families who have lost a baby or pregnancy. The event is planned from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 13 in the hospital’s classroom. Light refreshments are planned. For more information, call 702-233-7186.

SOUTHERN HILLS HOSPITAL GETS NETWORK LEADER AWARD

Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center, 9300 W. Sunset Road, has received the 2014 Nevada Hospital Engagement Network Leader Award for demonstrating excellence in patient safety and engagement.

The Nevada Hospital Engagement Network recruits and provides training and technical assistance to individual Nevada hospitals to facilitate the adoption of evidence-based clinical practices that improve patient care and safety. Network members include short-term, acute-care hospitals, critical-access hospitals, long-term, acute-care hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals and in-patient hospice.

The scoring system was based on national Partnership for Patients HEN evaluation criteria. The facilities have to improve hospital-acquired conditions, align measures to HEN-specific measurement strategies, participate in Nevada HEN activities, establish and adhere to patient and family engagement practices and policies, and show leader engagement.

The Partnership for Patients is an initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation Center focused on the improvement of the quality, safety and affordability of health care for all Americans. The goals of the Partnership for Patients Initiative are to reduce several hospital-acquired conditions by 40 percent, including pressure ulcers, falls, infections and readmissions.

For more information, visit southernhillshospital.com.

CITY OF LAS VEGAS PLEDGES TO WORK TO IMPROVE LIVES OF SENIORS

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman recently pledged to improve the lives of older adults and to enable older residents to improve their lives across the age spectrum by signing the Milken Institute’s Best Cities for Successful Aging Mayor’s Pledge. The pledge, part of the institute’s Best Cities for Successful Aging initiative, comes from the Best Cities for Successful Aging Advisory Committee, a group of thought leaders and experts in the field who are advising the institute in its work on aging.

By signing the pledge, Goodman and the city of Las Vegas agree to take steps, such as increasing housing availability and implementing health and transportation options, that suit the city’s population’s varied needs. The mayor has also committed to providing opportunities for older adults to work with the city through volunteer activities and encore careers across the government, nonprofit and private sectors.

For more information, visit lasvegasnevada.gov. For more information on the Milken Institute, visit milkeninstitute.org.

DENTAL OFFICE SPONSORS TOY DRIVE FOR HELP

Las Vegas Modern Dentistry, 7171 W. Craig Road, is partnering with HELP of Southern Nevada to collect new, unwrapped toys for children in need this holiday season. The effort runs through Dec. 12. Those who donate a toy will receive 20 percent off dentistry for adults and $50 off dentistry for children.

For more information about HELP of Southern Nevada, visit helpsonv.org.

For more information about Las Vegas Modern Dentistry, call 702-655-0331 or visit lasvegasmoderndentistry.com.

FREE FLU VACCINES TO BE OFFERED DEC. 13 AT LIBRARY

The Southern Nevada Immunization & Health Coalition plans to offer free flu vaccines from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway, for people 6 months or older. Parents should bring their children’s shot records.

For more information, visit vaxvegas.org or call 702-207-4260.

O2 ON THE GO SUPPORT GROUP TO MEET

O2 On the Go, a support group for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is slated to meet from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 19 at the H2U MountainView Office, 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 114.

It schedules its meetings for the third Friday of every month. For more information, call 702-233-5474.

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.

FIBROMYALGIA GROUP TO MEET

The Fibromyalgia Friends Support Group of Southern Nevada plans to host a lunch meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Feast Buffet at the Fiesta Henderson, 777 W. Lake Mead Parkway. Enter at the VIP entrance and ask to be seated with the Fibro Group. There is no charge for those who do not wish to have lunch.

Meetings are typically planned for the second Thursday of each month. For more information, visit fmfriends.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.

MATT SMITH PHYSICAL THERAPY TO HOST TOY DRIVE

Matt Smith Physical Therapy is hosting a toy drive through Dec. 12 to benefit Light of the World Childhood Cancer Foundation, an organization that provides programs to those affected by childhood cancer, offering spiritual, emotional and financial support and assisting families with finding resources.

New, unwrapped toys and gift cards will be accepted at Matt Smith’s 14 locations. The drive is part of Matt Smith Physical Therapy’s Changing Lives Campaign, an ongoing effort to aid the Southern Nevada community. Locations are: 7301 Peak Drive, Suite 101; 9499 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 220; 3233 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 107; 727 N. Nellis Blvd.; 4000 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 300; 1525 E. Windmill Lane, Suite 202; 1505 Wigwam Parkway, Suite 240; 8551 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite 170; 3155 W. Craig Road, Suite 140; 3175 St. Rose Parkway, Suite 331; 8945 W. Post Road, Suite 200; and 500 S. Rancho Drive, Suite 2.

For more information, visit mattsmithpt.com. For more information on Light of the World, visit lightoftheworldnv.org.

HEALTH DISTRICT OFFERS DIABETES MANAGEMENT CLASSES

As part of National Diabetes Month, the Southern Nevada Health District and its community partners are offering education and self-management classes and support for people with diabetes and their families, as well as programs that can help people lower their risk of developing diabetes.

For information, contact the health district’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at 702-759-1270 or visit gethealthyclarkcounty.org or the Spanish-language site vivasaludable.org..

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 N. 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.

HOSPITAL OFFERS CLASSES

Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, 657 N. Town Center Drive, plans classes for new parents that include Baby Basics 1 & 2, Birth Basics, The Birth Plan Workshop, Breastfeeding Basics, Infant CPR, Infant Massage, Meditations for Healthy Pregnancy and Birth, Natural Birth Methods, Planned Cesarean Birth, Prepared Childbirth Education, Twins/Multiples Preparation Class and Fit4MOM Stroller Strides Family Fun Workout.

Summerlin Hospital also offers free support groups: Cesarean Birth Support Group; Multiples Support Group; Infant Loss Bereavement Support Group; and Parent & Caregiver Support Group for Special Needs Children.

To register at least three weeks in advance for classes, call 702-233-7103.