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Please send your health news to health@nctimes.com, or mail to Laura Groch, Health Editor, North County Times, 207 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Escondido, CA 92025.
Clinical trials
TESTOSTERONE STUDY: UC San Diego School of Medicine is seeking about 70 area volunteers for a national study to test the effects of testosterone as a treatment for several conditions affecting the health of older men, including decreased ability to walk, loss of muscle mass and strength, decreased vitality, decreased sexual function, impaired cognition, cardiovascular disease and anemia. The trial will be conducted at 12 sites nationwide and will have five separate studies: anemia, decreased physical function, low vitality, impaired cognition or reduced sexual function. Men 65 and older in the San Diego County area who are interested should call (877) 219-6610 or visit: www.ttrial.org. Learn more at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00799617?term=testosterone+aging&rank=40.
Classes, workshops
MEDICARE WORKSHOP: The city of Oceanside will offer a Medicare workshop for 2010 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the senior center, 455 Country Club Lane. The workshop will provide information on important changes to the Medicare Advantage, Part D plans for 2010 and MA Enrollment options. There will be a brief explanation of the four basic parts of Medicare. Call 760-724-6375 or visit ci.oceanside.ca.us.
MEDICARE Q&A: The Carlsbad Senior Center will host a Medicare Open Enrollment Q & A Session from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday at 799 Pine Ave. A brief explanation of the four basic parts of Medicare to help seniors make educated decisions regarding health care coverage during retirement. Call 760-602-4650.
HEALTHY CHATS: Healthy Chats for Girls seminars bring mothers/guardians and their 9- to 12-year-old daughters together for an afternoon of age-appropriate information covering body changes, menstruation, birth and conception. Seminars are scheduled at the Scripps Mende Well Being Center in La Jolla on these Sundays: Dec. 6, Feb. 28, May 16, Aug. 15 and Oct. 3. Fee for the 2-1/2-hour seminar is $60 per mother-daughter pair, plus $30 each for additional daughter or family member. Every girl attending receives a gift bag with product samples, a pad purse and other tween-friendly items. Early registration recommended. Visit www.healthychats.com.
ASSISTED CARE OPTIONS: The Carlsbad Senior Center hosts a discussion on options for assisted care and how to pay for them at 10 a.m. Tuesday at 799 Pine Ave., Carlsbad. Registered nurse Debra Anthony from A Place for Mom and Paula Straub, a financial professional, will be the guest speakers. Call 760-602-4650.
MATERNITY CLASSES: Tri-City Medical Center is offering maternity education classes on childbirth education, baby safety and breastfeeding at 4002 W. Vista Way, Oceanside. Register at 760-940-5784 or visit tricitymed.org.
GRAND OPENING: The Southern California Institute of Clinical Nutrition hosts a grand opening from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 10 at 5670 El Camino Real, Suite B, Carlsbad, one block north of Faraday on El Camino Real in the Carlsbad Gateway Center. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, beverages and raffle. Meet Dr. Laura Thompson, naturopathic endocrinologist, and Donna Loftin, bioenergetic medicine specialist. Call 760-448-2722.
AT PPH: Palomar Pomerado Health hosts free and low-cost health education classes and screenings. To register, call 800-628-2880 or visit www.pph.org and click on "Classes and Events" unless otherwise noted:
-- 6 p.m. Thursday: "Hormones: A Woman's Journey to Menopause," Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway. Dr. Sudabeh Moein, OB/GYN, discusses the delicate balance of female hormones and explores the role of hormone replacement therapy for the management of menopausal symptoms. Free.
-- 9 a.m. Saturday: HeartSaver CPR (Certified), 125 Vallecitos de Oro, Suite A, San Marcos. This class provides CPR certification and is designed for the layperson who may serve as a rescuer in the workplace. Fee is $40.
-- 1 p.m. Dec. 9: Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome & Fibromyalgia Information Support, Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway. Free.
-- 6 p.m. Dec. 9: Skin Cancer Awareness, Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway. Dermatologist Bryan Chen explains the importance of skin cancer prevention and detection. Free.
-- 9 a.m. Dec. 12: CPR for Family and Friends (Non-Certified), 125 Vallecitos de Oro, Suite A, San Marcos. Learn basic lifesaving techniques, including how to relieve an obstructed airway. Suggested for lay rescuers, such as new parents, grandparents, babysitters, caregivers or anyone who is preparing to help others in distress but does not need certification. Fee is $25.
-- 9:30 a.m. Dec. 12: Basic Training for New Dads, Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway. This "fathers only" class is intended for expectant fathers in the second or third trimester of their baby's pregnancy. Fee is $35.
-- 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Dec. 13: Preparation for Childbirth "In a Weekend," Palomar Medical Center, 555 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido. Prepare for a safe and satisfying birth experience with the two-day childbirth class. A tour of the Birth Center is included. Fee is $70 per mom or couple (includes childbirth manual).
FREE FLU-SAFETY CLASSES: UC San Diego Extension is offering a no-cost 90-minute presentation on H1N1 flu (swine flu) safety to San Diego County businesses, civic groups, clubs, associations, youth groups, Chambers of Commerce and other community organizations. To schedule a free presentation, call Shannon Oriola at 619-884-0311 or e-mail her at Shannon.oriola@sharp.com.
Free
FREE INSTALLATION: Palomar Pomerado Health is offering free installation through Dec. 31 of the Philips Lifeline Medical Alert service, which ensures that older adults living at home will receive quick assistance whenever it is needed, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Subscribers wear a waterproof pendant around their neck or wrist that can be pressed at any time to summon help. Free installation on the Lifeline service is a $75 savings. Service is $39 monthly with no long-term contract to sign. Gift certificates are also available. Call 858-675-5371 or 888-704-2774, or visit www.pph.org.
Events
BLOOD DONATIONS: The San Diego Blood Bank is hosting these donation opportunities. Call 800-469-7322:
-- 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday, GEICO, 14111 Danielson St., Poway
-- 8:30-11 a.m. Dec. 10, Mitchell 1 parking lot, 14145 Danielson St., Poway
-- 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Dec. 10, First Advantage CREDCO, 12395 First American Way, Poway
-- 1:30-4 p.m. Dec. 10, HME/Kontron America, 14110 Stowe Drive, Poway
ONGOING
INSURANCE HELP: Vista Community Clinic offers help to low-income families in need of health insurance by assisting with applications for Healthy Families and Medi-Cal. 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.
IMMUNIZATIONS: Low-cost or free 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.
