Health notes

From staff reports
Published: September 15, 2008

Hospital to host community program
A free community education program, “Not in My Neighborhood: Teens and Substance Abuse,” will be held Sept. 30 in the First Colony Conference Center at Lynchburg General Hospital. Max Portrey, Ph.D., will discuss adolescent brain development, the nature of addiction and the three rules of communication. Light refreshments will be served at 6:30 with the program beginning at 7 p.m.
For more information or to register, call 200-4447 or e-mail: .

TEP to offer program on pain management
Fred Waddell, Ph.D. will present a free program, “Pain Management Without Medication,” at 10 a.m. Monday and Sept. 26, at Trinity Ecumenical Parish, Virginia 122 (one mile south of the Hales Ford Bridge), Moneta. In two one-hour sessions, participants will learn how to use simple relaxation and guided visualization to minimize pain symptoms.
Pre-registration is required by calling Parish Nurse Tami Akin at (540) 721-4330 or (540) 297-5530 or e-mail .

Info on prescription assistance at AFC
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance’s “Help Is Here” will be at The Alliance for Families & Children, 2600 Memorial Ave., from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday.
Citizens may qualify for one of more than 475 programs, many of which offer free or nearly-free prescription drugs.  Trained counselors will be on the “Help is Here Express” to help individuals determine if they qualify and to assist with the application. Participants should bring a list of their medications and come to the bus — no appointments needed.
Those unable to attend, can call the Partnership for Prescription Assistance at (888) 477-2669 or visit the Web site http://www.pparx.org for more information and to apply.

SAARA to host recovery walk at Miller Park
The SAARA (Substance Abuse Addiction Recovery Alliance) Recovery Walk will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Miller Park.
The public is invited to a picnic lunch of hot dogs, potato salad and drinks.  In addition, the event will feature speakers and free Recovery Walk t-shirts to all who attend.
For more information, call Steve Wheeler, president of the Local Chapter of SAARA of Central VA, at (434) 851-9978.

New TOPS group to meet at Forest church
A new chapter of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is meeting from 6:15 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at Forest Presbyterian Church, 2 Church Lane, Forest.
For information, call Lynn Snow at 316-5255.

Center to offer series on adult caregiving
The Adult Care Center is offering a series of free caregiving seminars for those concerned about elder care issues. The series, Caregiver College, is scheduled as part of National Adult Day Services Week and will meet from noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 22 through Sept. 26 at the Adult Care Center, 621 Court St. (in Court Street United Methodist Church).
Experts will lead each session and focus on a specific health issue while sharing helpful strategies for family caregivers. Topics include:

—Sept. 22: “Medicare’s Skilled Care Benefits, by Ashley Vaughan Bise, Medical Care Center;
—Sept. 23: Brain Injuries, by Judith Johnson, Brain Injury Association of Virginia;
—Sept. 24: Dizziness, Vertigo & Balance, by Mary Wallman, P.T., Rehabilitation Associates of Central VA;
—Sept. 25: Diabetes, by Earl Guthrow, M.D. (retired), Gastroenterology Associates of Central VA;
—Sept. 26: Strategies for Caregivers, by Kathi Cresson, R.N., Adult Care Center.

For more information or to register for any of the programs listed, call 847-8111.