North San Diego County Health Briefs: Alzheimer's seminar set

By: North County Times - | Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:44 PM PDT ∞

ENCINITAS ---- Diane Beach, Community Education Manager of Alzheimer's Association San Diego County, presents "Understanding Alzheimer's Disease," a free educational seminar, from noon-1 p.m. Tuesday at Somerford Place Alzheimer's Assisted Living, 1350 S. El Camino Real. This session explains what is known about the disease, the warning signs and symptoms and how the Alzheimer's Association can help with programs and services. Call or e-mail to reserve a seat: (760) 479-1818 or cocencinitas@somerford.com.

Eye health is forum topic

ESCONDIDO ---- In commemoration of Save Your Vision Month, Palomar Pomerado Health will host a free community forum titled "Advancement for Healthy Eyes" from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Graybill Auditorium at Palomar Medical Center, 555 E. Valley Parkway. The event will include information on nutritional care that could lead to healthy vision, as well as tips on how to cope with dry eye syndrome. The latest treatments for cataracts and macular degeneration also will be covered. Register to (800) 628-2880.

Anger management classes back

OCEANSIDE ---- A Superior Court-approved 12-week anger-management program is offered from 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays, designed to assist individuals who have difficulty managing angry feelings and behaviors. The program's goal is to teach appropriate expressions of anger and to reduce violent and self-destructive behaviors. This co-ed group meets weekly for 60 minutes. Enrollment is "open," with individuals welcome to join at any time. Cost is $60 enrollment fee (including workbook) and $20 session fee. Proof of enrollment and completion certificates are provided. Contact Pacific Coast Counseling at (760) 439-1124.

CPAP lecture on tap at Tri-City

VISTA ---- Tri-City Hospital hosts Kelly Kenesie-Tena, respiratory nurse specialist, at 7 p.m. Monday, to speak on "Fasten Your Seatbelt ---- Traveling with CPAP Is a Breeze!" Kenesie-Tena is a CPAP user and author of "The CPAP Travel Manual." She owns CPAP-RX, which specializes in CPAP travel equipment and supplies. Hear the latest in TSA regulations plus tips on how to travel with your CPAP equipment. Call (760) 481-4434.

Hospice doctor to speak

POWAY ---- San Diego Medical Assistants will host Dr. Charles von Gunten from San Diego Hospice at 6 p.m. Thursday at Pomerado Hospital. He will be presenting "Talking to the Dying." If your family is faced with this or it is part of your job, please come. Reserve to cmaasd@aol.com or (858) 722-5446.

Free vision lecture set

ESCONDIDO ---- "Advancement for Healthy Eyes" is a free lecture given at 7 p.m. Thursday at Palomar Medical Center to mark March as "Save Your Vision" Month. The lecture will be in the center's Graybill Auditorium, 555 E. Valley Parkway. Speaker is Dr. David Plotner, diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, and fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American College of Surgeons. Register to (800) 628-2880.

Elizabeth Hospice hosts town hall on April 1

ESCONDIDO ---- The Elizabeth Hospice will host a Town Hall forum as a kick-off for Health Care Decisions Day from 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 1 at the Escondido Library, at 239 S. Kalmia St. The topics are starting a conversation with your loved ones; your future wishes for health care decisions and how to complete an Advance Directive. George Chamberlin, a business columnist in the North County Times, will discuss the importance of completing an advance directive. The Elizabeth Hospice will host a series of workshops from April 1-15 throughout North County. Visit the Events Page at www.elizabethhospice.org for dates and times in your neighborhood, or call Liz Sumner at (760) 737-2050.

Doctor to share weight-loss story

ESCONDIDO ---- Dr. Nick Yphantides will talk about his personal transformation in "My Big Fat Greek Miracle" at 7 p.m. April 2 at Emmanuel Faith Community Church, 639 E. Felicita Ave. His motivational talk will be about how he lost 270 pounds and has kept it off for more than six years. Sign-ups will be taken after the talk for those interested in joining a free 10-week healthy living/weight-loss class that will meet on Wednesday evenings. Call (760) 420-2251.

Vision seminar set

SAN MARCOS ---- A workshop for parents or teachers of children who are having problems with reading and reading-related subjects will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. April 4 at "It's Academic," 1615 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, Suite A. Topics are clinical information on visual limits that interfere with learning and what can be done to correct the problem. Learn testing techniques with a free vision test kit to identify the problem. Free. Reserve to (951) 461-2256.

Antioxidants are topic

CARLSBAD ---- "Antioxidants ---- Essential Tools for Good Health" is the topic from 10 a.m.-noon April 5 at Calavera Hills Community Park, Room 2, 2997 Glasgow Drive. Peggy Canning, author and nutrition consultant, will explain how to use these miracle nutrients. Sponsored by Life Works Spiritual Center, Carlsbad, the seminar costs $20. Reserve to (760) 724-3001 or (760) 815-9462.

Healing program exhibits works of local artists

ENCINITAS ---- Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas' Arts for Healing Program will brighten the hospital campus and the spirits of its patients, visitors and staff on April 6, when it hosts a special art exhibit and reception in the main lobby at Scripps Encinitas. The event will feature works by local artists, including Rod Lingren, Connie McCoy, Amos Robinson and Fritzie Urquhart. Ralyn and Nathan Wolfstein and Jeffery Laudenslager will also be honored for their sculpture donations to Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas' permanent collection. For more about the healing program and to reserve for the free event, call (760) 633-7722.

Ride 4 AIDS coming April 13

SAN DIEGO ---- The fifth annual Ride 4 AIDS will take place from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. April 13, co-sponsored by the UC San Diego AIDS Research Institute and Being Alive San Diego. Ready-to-go cyclists can choose from a 10-, 20- or a 50-mile ride. The rides accommodate family, recreational and competitive cyclists. Proceeds will benefit HIV/AIDS research and education at UCSD and HIV/AIDS service programs at Being Alive San Diego. Admission is $30 (10-mile), $35 (25-mile), and $40 (50-mile). Visit www.ride4aids.net.

MS walk gearing up for April 19

CARLSBAD ---- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Pacific South Coast Chapter, based in Carlsbad, hosts its 15th annual San Diego County Credit Union Walk MS 2008 on April 19 at LEGOLAND. Check-in begins at 7 a.m. About 4,000 people are expected to walk a 1.5-mile route inside the LEGOLAND® California theme park. There is no charge to be a walker, but walkers are encouraged to solicit sponsors and raise at least $25. Registration is open at www.mswalk.com, or phone (800) 344-4867.

Clinic offers help with health insurance

Vista Community Clinic offers help to low-income families in need of health insurance by assisting with the applications for Healthy Families and Medi-Cal. The service is free, but an appointment is required. These documents will be required for the application process: copy of birth certificate; Social Security card; proof of income (example: pay stubs for the most recent month; employer's letter. If self- employed, bring copy IRS Form 1040, etc.). Call (760) 407-1220, Ext 126.

VCC offers immunizations

Worried about measles? You can avoid many diseases including measles by getting immunized. Low-cost or no-cost immunizations for children and low-cost immunizations for adults are available daily at the Vista Community Clinic on a walk-in basis. Vaccinations available include: measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, polio, diphtheria, varicella, HPV, hepatitis B, Tuberculosis test, etc. Call (760) 631-5000 or visit www.vistacommunityclinic.org.

Exercise class offered twice weekly

OCEANSIDE ---- First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside hosts a free Active Older Adults & Seniors exercise class twice weekly funded by the County of San Diego Aging & Independent Services. Classes are from 9-10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays to strengthen major muscle groups and educate about the benefits of exercise, health and fitness components. Instructor Gretchen Vurbeff is a FallProof Certified Balance and Mobility Instructor. The class meets in the Great Hall of the church at 2001 El Camino Real at Fire Mountain Road. Call (760) 757-3560.

Bereavement groups

OCEANSIDE ---- First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside hosts a bereavement support group, "Picking Up the Pieces," from 2-3 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month in the Fireside Room of the church, 2001 El Camino Real. Call (760)757-3560.

Nicotine Anonymous meets

ENCINITAS ---- Nicotine Anonymous, a fellowship of people united in an effort to quit smoking and stay quit by using the 12-step program, meets at 5 p.m. Sundays at Seaside Church, 1613 Lake Drive. Call (760) 444-0582.

Volunteers sought for adult center

ENCINITAS ---- Glenner Alzheimer's Center in Encinitas is seeking volunteers and arts and crafts donations for its Alzheimer's day program. Please call (760) 635-1895 and ask for Dawn.

Clinic offers low-cost immunizations for kids

ESCONDIDO ---- Neighborhood Healthcare ---- Escondido, a nonprofit community health center, is offering walk-in immunizations at 460 N. Elm Street in Escondido from 1:30-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 2:30-4 p.m. Wednesdays. The clinic accepts a variety of insurances and provides services based on a sliding scale fee. Call (760) 737-2000.

VCC offers breast cancer support group

Vista Community Clinic's Breast Health Program offers a support group for breast cancer survivors and those in treatment. The group meets bi-weekly on Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Members of the group share experiences and resource information. Call (760) 407-1220 Ext. 167, or (760) 407-1220 Ext. 154.

Clinic offers INS healthcare exams

ESCONDIDO -- Neighborhood Healthcare offers INS medical exams, a requirement for anyone applying for legal residency or citizenship in the United States. Exams are available weekdays at the health center, by appointment only. The health center is at 460 N. Elm St., Escondido.

The exam costs $85 plus laboratory fees. Additional costs may vary, depending upon specific government requirements for type of application and country of origin.

Patients will also need to bring a government-issued photo ID and BCIS physical forms, which may be obtained online at www.bcis.gov/graphics/surgeonportal.htm, from INS or from their attorney.

For details or to make an appointment, call (760) 520-8100. Exams are also available weekdays by appointment at Neighborhood Healthcare ---- Pauma Valley, off Highway 76. Call (760) 742-9923 to make an appointment in Pauma Valley.

Speakers available from VCC

Vista Community Clinic provides guest speakers for group luncheons or meetings and provides health education booths for health fairs. The clinic speakers bureau can present a variety of health education topics such as:

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) Prevention Programs: Learn about substance abuse issues that affect the local community, public health initiatives that work, and what local citizens can do to get involved in combating these problems.

Breast Health Education Program: Learn about breast health issues, mammograms, free services offered to target populations, special event schedules.

Junior REACH and Project REACH: Learn about REACH after school programs for at-risk youths in Vista and Oceanside, challenges facing today's youth, and REACH success stories.

Contact Betsy Heightman at (760) 631-5000, Ext. 1139 to request a speaker.

Volunteers sought for adult center

ENCINITAS ---- Glenner Alzheimer's Center in Encinitas is seeking volunteers and arts and crafts donations for its Alzheimer's day program. Please call (760) 635-1895 and ask for Dawn.

Clinical trial Web sites

Clinical trials recruit volunteers to test drugs and therapies. Many are held in and around our area. These Web sites list many clinical trials. Clinical trials have precise inclusion and exclusion rules, so when you find one that interests you, be sure to read the rules carefully:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/. Site of the National Institutes of Health.

http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials. Site of the National Cancer Institute.

http://www.centerwatch.com/. This site partners with WebMD.com to list 42,000 trials.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/clinicaltrials.html. This site sponsored by Medline/National Library of Medicine explains what you should know about clinical trials.

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