Health calendar

SENIOR SUPPORT/PROGRAMS

Health care proxy lecture, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 6 to 7 p.m., Gordon Room, Peabody Institute Library of Danvers, 15 Sylvan St., Danvers. Blair Smith, director of social work at Beverly and Addison Gilbert hospitals, speaks about the importance of having a health care proxy and answers questions. Learn how to complete forms. No fee or preregistration required.

"Got to Go, Right Now," program with urologist Susan Pursell, Friday, Sept. 22, noon, Beverly Hospital lecture hall. Pursell, a board-certified urologist at the Center for Healthy Aging in Danvers and North Shore Urological Associates, speaks about treatment of urinary incontinence. Admission is free. To register, call 978-921-1697, ext. 300.

Chair Yoga, Wednesdays, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., at the Rose Baker Senior Center. To register, call Lisa at the Council on Aging at 978-281-9765.

Exercises for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, Wednesdays, 2 to 3 p.m., at the Rose Baker Senior Center. To register, call Lisa at the Council on Aging at 978-281-9765.

Free Keep Well Clinics, open to residents 60 and older. Community health nurses from VNA Care Network conduct blood-pressure screenings and provide education about medications, diet, disease management and other health concerns. Blood sugar, weight-monitoring and other health assessments also available. Visit www.vnacarenetwork.org. Appointments preferred; call 888-663-3688, ext. 5603 or 978-283-2020, ext. 5603. The schedule is:

* Gloucester: McPherson Park, 31 Prospect St., second Monday of the month, 1 to 3 p.m.; Rose Baker Senior Center, 6 Manuel Lewis St., first four Wednesdays of the month, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Lincoln Park, third Thursday of the month, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Call 888-663-3688, ext. 5603 or 978-283-2020, ext. 5603.

* Manchester: Congregational Chapel, Chapel Lane, first and third Thursdays of the month, 10 a.m. to noon. 888-663-3688, ext. 5603 or 978-283-2020, ext. 5603.

* Rockport: Senior Drop-In Center, 4 Broadway, second Thursday of the month, 9:30 a.m. to noon. Senior Housing, Millbrook Park, fourth Thursday of the month, 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Free blood pressure screening:

* Mondays, 1 to 3 p.m. in the Women's Health Center, Addison Gilbert Hospital. Appointments not necessary. All welcome. Not held on Monday holidays.

* Wednesdays, 2 to 4 p.m. at Connors Pharmacy, 76 Prospect St.

* Thursdays, Brooks Pharmacy, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., 127 Eastern Ave.

Gentle yoga stretches and exercises for seniors, Mondays, 10 to 11 a.m., at the Rose Baker Senior Center. To register, call Lisa at the Council on Aging, 978-281-9765.

Meals for seniors: Hot and cold meals offered through the food and nutrition services of Addison Gilbert and Beverly hospitals may be purchased for $6 or less from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. daily in the Nelson Dining Room, Addison Gilbert, or the third-floor cafeteria of Beverly Hospital's Service Building. Both facilities are handicapped-accessible. Free parking available.

Medications review: Registered nurses Mary Aliosio and Bonnie Marshall, coordinator of ambulatory services at Addison Gilbert Hospital, will assist members of the public with cards listing all medications taken by participants and answer questions regarding medications, possible drug interactions, etc. The free service is offered the first Friday of each month, 9 to 11 a.m., at the Rose Baker Senior Center, Gloucester. No registration required.

SERVICES/CLASSES

VOCAL (Victims of Crime and Loss) provides free services for victims of crimes including assault, robbery, domestic violence, adult sexual abuse/assault, child physical abuse, disabled and elder abuse, violation of a protective order, crimes related to driving while intoxicated, hate-motivated crimes, and political trauma. Services include individual and group counseling; community crisis response; critical incident stress debriefing; and training and education. VOCAL Children's Program provides community outreach and clinical services to children and their non-offending family members who have been victims of trauma and experience physical and sexual abuse or who witness domestic violence. Sponsored by Health and Education Services Inc., 156 Cabot St., Beverly. Call Karen Tompkins at 978-927-4506, ext. 202 or ext. 203, or the Rape Crisis Intervention Hot Line at 978-922-0000.

Hepatitis C Health Services, Mondays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gloucester Health Department and the North Shore AIDS Health Project offer weekly information and support services for those concerned about hepatitis C. Regular drop-in services include private consultation with a nurse, health educator, support group and information sessions, case management assistance and referrals for holistic services. Free, confidential services offered at 67 Middle St.; 978-283-0101. Ask for Kerri Connelly, client services representative, or call Sunny Robinson at the Health Department at 978-281-9771.

Free, anonymous HIV counseling and testing, for Cape Ann and North Shore residents. Non-invasive oral tests offered at the following locations: Addison Gilbert Hospital, third floor, Mondays, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and at 156 Cabot St., Beverly, Wednesdays, 2 to 6:30 p.m. To make an appointment, call Mayra Rivera at 978-853-8633.

Baby/child-saver classes, for parents, expectant parents and caregivers to recognize and cope with emergency situations involving babies and small children. Accident prevention and techniques reviewed. American Heart Association standards used for CPR and obstructed-airway skills, teaching and hands-on practice. Classes are held two nights a week for six hours at Beverly Hospital. Call the Parent Education Department at 978-927-9103.

CPR classes, conducted by the Education Department at Northeast Health System. Adult and pediatric classes offered on alternating months on the first Wednesday of the month. American Heart Association Healthcare Provider classes also offered. Certification classes and pre-certification classes held each month. Call Sally Kiesling at 978-922-3000, ext. 2236.

Smoking cessation group program meets Wednesdays, 6 to 7 p.m., at the Lifestyle Management Institute, Beverly Hospital Hunt Center, 75 Lindall St., Danvers. Classes incorporate different smoking cessation techniques, including group support, behavior modification, nicotine replacement therapy, stress management, weight control, exercise and relapse prevention. Cost for the eight-week program is $100. Space limited. Preregistration required; call 978-646-7060.

Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster, a workshop designed by Peggy Huddleston for use prior to surgery, chemotherapy, radiation treatments, dental procedures and challenging life transitions is designed to decrease anxiety and heal better using mind/body techniques. Program held at the Beverly Hospital Lifestyle Management Institute, 75 Lindall St., Danvers. Cost is $70. 978-774-4400, ext. 3011.

Health insurance program offered at Addison Gilbert Hospital and Beverly Hospital for those in need. Financial counselors available to assist. Call Addison Gilbert Hospital at 978-283-4000, ext. 623 or Beverly Hospital at 978-283-4000, ext. 2124, 2045 or 2046.

Healthlink Information Resource Center, daily at Addison Gilbert Hospital. 978-283-4001, ext. 607.

ABUSE SUPPORT

Support group for older women who have been abused by a spouse or partner. Greater Lynn Senior Service (GLSS) has partnered with Help for Abused Women and their Children (HAWC) in Gloucester to provide a specialized support group for women 50 and older who live in the Cape Ann area and who have experienced physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual abuse either now or in the past. Additional services also available. Free and confidential. Call GLSS at 781-599-0770 or HAWC at 978-283-8642.

Male Survivor Group, for men who have been sexually abused as adults or children, meets every Wednesday, 7 p.m., at 131 Rantoul St., Beverly. No fee or registration required. A program of North Shore Rape Crisis Center and Victims of Crime and Loss. Call Bill Hirschaut at 978-922-8182.

CANCER SUPPORT

Prostate Cancer Support Group meets the third Thursday of every month, 7:30 p.m., at the Terrace Dining Room of the Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, Beverly Hospital campus. Guest speaker Dr. Mauri Cohen discusses the emotional side of dealing with prostate cancer following treatment. No fee or registration required. Call 978-236-1650.

Cancer Support Group meets at Addison Gilbert Hospital on the fourth Tuesday of each month, except August, at 4:30 p.m. in the Longan Room. No fee or registration required.

Breast Cancer Survivors Group meets in the Longan Room, Addison Gilbert Hospital the third Tuesday of the month, except August, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. No fee or registration required.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT

Alzheimer's Caregivers Support Group, for those caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease, meets the first and third Wednesdays of every month, 2:30 to 4 p.m., at the Spectrum Center, 600 Cummings Center, Suite 176X, Beverly. Free. Call 978-921-5020.

DIABETES SUPPORT/PROGRAMS

Diabetes Clinic, a free diabetes screening is held the first Monday of the month, 1 to 3 p.m., in the Fisher Lobby, Addison Gilbert Hospital. Appointments not necessary. Call the Diabetes Care Center at 978-283-4000, ext. 601.

Free diabetes and cardiovascular risk screenings are held every other month on Wednesdays, 1 to 3 p.m., at the Lifestyle Management Institute, Beverly Hospital Hunt Center, 75 Lindall St., Danvers. Clinics include blood sugar screenings (fasting not required) and counseling, and cardiovascular screenings, including blood pressure screenings and assessment of risk factors. Appointments required; call 978-646-7060.

LOSS SUPPORT

Bereavement support groups for adults coping with the death of a loved one meet the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the VNA Care Network, 5 Federal St., Danvers. Call Robert Purdy at 978-777-6100, ext. 1401 or 888-663-3688, ext. 1401.

Infant Loss Support Group, for parents who have lost an infant at any time during pregnancy through early infancy, meets the fourth Tuesday of each month, 7 to 9 p.m., in the Kauders Conference Room, Beverly Hospital, 85 Herrick St., Beverly. No fee or registration required.

Support group for those with a loss because of death, separation or divorce meets Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., in St. Mary of the Annunciation Church rectory, 24 Conant St., Danvers. Nondenominational group offers structured topics, professional speakers and social events. Call 978-774-1967.

Widowed Persons Support Group meets every other Wednesday, 7 to 9 p.m., in the Longan Room, Addison Gilbert Hospital. Call 978-283-7102.

WOMEN'S SUPPORT/PROGRAMS

Connecting Young Moms Education/Support Group, conducted by the Social Work Department at Beverly Hospital, meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., at the Women's Health and Medical Arts Building, Beverly Hospital campus. Advance registration required; call 978-922-3000, ext. 2720.

Free prenatal yoga classes meet every Saturday, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., at Prana Health and Yoga Center, 7A Colonial Road, Salem. Classes focus on safety, breathing exercises, reducing common pregnancy discomforts, improving circulation and easing back pain. Doctor's approval recommended for those who are new to yoga. Visit www.pranahealthcenter.com.

Free women's health services: The Women's Health Network, part of VNA Care Network, links uninsured and underinsured, income-eligible women to free mammograms, pap tests and cardiovascular screenings at participating doctors' offices and area hospitals. Program open to women ages 40 to 64, but women of other ages may also qualify. For details in English, Portuguese or Spanish, call 888-663-3688, ext. 1340, or e-mail kwebber@vnacarenetwork.org. All inquiries and services confidential. Immigration status not considered. Social Security number not required.

Healthy pregnancy workshop, sponsored by the Connecting Young Moms Support Group, a two-hour class to be attended in the first or second trimester. Childbirth series offered to assist young women and their support people to prepare for the birth. Class meets one evening a week for seven weeks. No fee. To register, call 978-922-3000, ext. 2720.

MotherTime Support Group meets Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to noon, at the North Shore Birth Center, Beverly Hospital. No fee or preregistration required.

Postpartum Depression Support Group meets the first Friday of the month, 1:30 to 3 p.m., at Beverly Hospital, Post Partum Lounge, fourth-floor of the Alt Building. Led by Karen Tompkins, LICSW. No fee or preregistration required. 978-922-3000, ext. 2716.

OTHER SUPPORT GROUPS

North Shore Neuropathy Support Group meets in the Beverly Hospital Lecture Hall, 85 Herrick St., Beverly. Call the group's leader, Werner Paster, at 978-479-4339.

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Longan Room, Addison Gilbert Hospital. Use the Washington Street entrance or the Fisher Lobby for wheelchair-accessibility. No fee or registration required. Call Marc at 978-546-1355 or Jean at 978-546-2607.

Early Stages of Memory Loss Support Group meets the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, 3 to 4 p.m., at the Center for Healthy Aging, Beverly Hospital Hunt Center, 75 Lindall St., Danvers. Free program led by Darcey Adams, LICSW. To register, call 978-921-5020, ext. 2101.

Gloucester Stroke Club meets the first Thursday of each month, 7 p.m., in the Nelson Dining Room, Addison Gilbert Hospital. Registration not required. Call 978-283-2370 or 978-283-2633.

North Shore Crohn's & Colitis Support Group meets the third Thursday of each month, 7 p.m., at Beverly Hospital, Doctors' Conference Room. No fee or registration required. Call 781-245-2978.

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Individuals and organizations offering free or low-cost health and fitness classes, workshops and seminars may send brief submissions (with phone numbers) to Health Calendar, Gloucester Daily Times, 36 Whittemore St., Gloucester, MA 01930. Submissions may also be e-mailed to gdt@ecnnews.com or faxed to 978-281-5748.

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