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. Low serum testosterone may contribute to a number of problems experienced by 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 Testosterone Trial will test whether these conditions can be improved with testosterone therapy. The trial will be conducted at 12 sites across the country and will have five separate studies: anemia, decreased physical function, low vitality, impaired cognition or reduced sexual function. Treatment groups will be given a testosterone gel that is applied to the torso, abdomen or upper arms. Control groups will receive a placebo gel. Serum testosterone will be measured monthly for the first three months and quarterly thereafter, up to one year. 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.
Meetings
PARKINSON'S: Cardiff North County Parkinson's Support Group meets from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 2 at Belmont Village, 3535 Manchester Ave. Cardiff. Speaker will be speech therapist Karen Hesley, founder of the Tremble Clefs, a singing program that provides voice therapy for those with Parkinson's. Topics will be breathing, posture, movement exercises set to music, plus a sing-along. Call (760) 940-2763.
PARKINSON'S: The North County Parkinson’s Support Group holds its holiday luncheon Dec. 12 at the Shadowridge County Club, Vista. Reservations required. No meeting at the Vista Senior Center in December. Call (760) 940-2763.
Classes, workshops
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.
SWING CHAIR YOGA: Swing chair yoga classes are offered from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. and 3-4 p.m. Wednesdays at Kat's Studio in Fallbrook, taught by Kat Folger. This exercise offers total body strengthening and lengthening, spinal traction, rehabilitation, inversion therapy, balance, coordination, neuromuscular re-education and relief from neck and back pain. Cost is $10 per class. Call 760-505-5325 or e-mail jamkat92028@sbcglobal.net.
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.
HICAP Q&A: The Cardiovascular Disease Foundation offers a question and answer session at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 2 with a representative from HICAP to answer questions about Medicare changes for 2010. HICAP is a volunteer-supported program that provides unbiased information to help Medicare beneficiaries make the best choices for their individual health care needs. The free workshop is at 3088 Pio Pico Drive, Suite 202, Carlsbad. Reserve to 760-730-1471.
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. Dec. 8 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.
MEDICARE Q&A: The Carlsbad Senior Center will host a Medicare Open Enrollment Q & A Session from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 4 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.
MEDICARE WORKSHOP: The city of Oceanside will offer a Medicare workshop for 2010 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 3 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.
Screenings
WELLNESS TOUR: The AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour will help Escondido and Vista residents monitor their health for free with free health screenings for adults 18 and over: bone density, cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, waist circumference and body mass analysis. No appointment is necessary, results are immediate and from start to finish all six screenings take 20-25 minutes. Also, free one-year AARP memberships will be given to all adults who receive screenings. Screenings will be from noon-6 p.m. Wednesday at the Walgreens at 1574 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido; from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at the Walgreens at 111 W. Washington Ave., Escondido; and from noon-6 p.m. Sunday at the Walgreens at 1510 N. Santa Fe Ave., Vista.
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. Dec. 4, 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
EXERCISE CHAIR CONTEST: VQ ActionCare of San Diego is hosting a contest in November in honor of American Diabetes Month to give away a Resistance Chair (a $239.70 value) to a deserving person who is at risk of or living with diabetes, and who has inspired others or made a difference in the community. Write to VQ ActionCare and describe why the person deserves a Resistance Chair, which gives low-impact exercise to help improve strength, endurance, flexibility and balance. The winner will be selected by the VQ ActionCare team on or before Dec. 31 to receive a chair and an instructional DVD. E-mail entries to giveaway@VQActionCare.com by 2 p.m. Monday. For full contest rules, visit www.VQActionCare.com/diabetes-giveaway.php.
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.
