Health Screenings

VNA/Hospice of Northern Berkshires

Public Health Clinics

Every Tuesday and Thursday, 3-4 p.m.,

VNA & Hospice, 535 Curran Highway

No appointment necessary

Information: 664-4536

Weekly health promotion clinics offered by VNA & Hospice, include blood pressure checks and health information.

Screenings

HIV/Sexually Transmitted Disease Screening

First and third Thursdays of each month, ACC Suite 210

(NARH Campus), 1:00 p.m.

Registration: 413-447-2653

HIV/STD and Hepatitis C testing is available on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 1:00 p.m., in Suite 210 of the Ambulatory Care Center on the NARH campus. Confidential and be anonymous, no charge although donations are accepted. Those wishing to be tested should call 413-447-2653 for an appointment.

Classes

Expectant Parent Classes

January 7-February 18

**For due dates through April

VNA/Hospice Community Room, 535 Curran Highway, North Adams

Registration/Information 413-664-5127

Six week courses cover all aspects of pre-natal nutrition and exercise, breathing techniques, labor and delivery, and infant care, plus a tour of the NARH Birthing Center.  Call 664-5127 for more information.

CPR Class                                                   

American Heart Association approved Heartsaver class

January 17, 2009

9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Education Classroom, Second Floor

North Adams Regional Hospital Campus

Fee: $40

Information/registration: 413-664-5404

*Class size is limited to 9

The American Heart Association designed the Heartsaver AED Course to prepare a wide variety of people who, as first responders,

• May need to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the workplace or similar setting
• May need to use an automated external defribillator (AED)
• May need to help someone who is choking
• Want or need a course completion card

Studies show that effective CPR right away improves survival from cardiac arrest. Most cardiac arrests happen outside the hospital, where bystander CPR is really important.

First Aid Class

American Heart Association approved

January 31, 2009

9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Education Classroom, Second Floor

North Adams Regional Hospital Campus

Fee: $40

Information and registration: 413-664-5404

This American Heart Association approved course was designed to help reduce the number of deaths due to emergency events. With the basic first aid participants will learn in this course, they could make a difference in the lives of others.

Tobacco Cessation

Quitters are Winners

January 5, 12, 19, 26

Clark House Conference Room, NARH Campus

6:00-7:00 pm

Information/Registration: 413-664-5567

Quitters are Winners smoking cessation program now includes one-on-one sessions. Community members interested in one-on-one sessions can make an appointment with the tobacco treatment coordinator.

The community program includes a $20 fee that is refundable after attending all four classes. Individuals who wish to use Nicotine Replacement Therapy such as patches, gums and lozenges can purchase them a discount through the class.

QuitLinks (for pregnant smokers and families with young children)

Sessions are one-on-one or group meeting

Information: 413-664-5567

QuitLinks, is a tobacco cessation program for pregnant women and families with young children. QuitLinks offers support to quit smoking. The QuitLinks program coordinator is available to assist pregnant women and families with young children at the WIC offices in North Adams and Northern Berkshire OBGYN offices at North Adams Regional Hospital.

Support Groups

Eileen Barrett Women’s Cancer Support Group

Open to all women who are in active treatment or recently recovered from cancer

January 22, 2009

4:30 – 6:45 p.m.

Clark House on the NARH Campus

Information on next date: 413-664-5170

The Eileen Barrett Women’s Cancer Support Group meets once a month at the Clark House Building on the North Adams Regional Hospital Campus. The first hour of the meeting features relaxation, stress management and other complementary care modalities. A short break with light snacks follows the first hour. The second hour is a support group session offered in a confidential setting, facilitated by Maggie Bittman, M.Ed. The group is open to any woman in active treatment for cancer or recently recovered.

Alzheimer’s Support Group at Sweet Brook Continuing Care Facility                           

Support Group for residents and their families dealing with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Educational Classroom

Sweetbrook Transitional Care Facility

Williamstown, MA

Facilitator: Mark Massaconi

Information on next date: 413-458-8127, ext 109

Alzheimer’s Support Group at VNA/Hospice of Northern Berkshires

Support Group for caregivers dealing with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Second Tuesday of each month, next meeting date: January 13

VNA/Hospice Community Room

535 Curran Highway, North Adams

Facilitator: Beth Hinkley-Mougin

Information: 413-664-4536

Bereavement Support Group                                        

For those suffering from loss of a loved one

January 7, 14, 21

February 11, 18, 25

VNA/Hospice Community Room

5:30 pm to 7:00 pm

535 Curran Highway, North Adams

Facilitators: Corrine Zinni Case, LMHC and Carla Meehan, LSW

Information/registration: 413-664-4536

Stroke Support Group

Support Group for survivors, family members and caregivers of stroke.

Meets second Thursday of the month

Upcoming dates:   January 15

12:00 pm -2:00 pm

VNA/Hospice Community Room

535 Curran Highway, North Adams

Facilitator: Corrine Zinni Case, LMHC

Information/registration: 413-664-5404

Special Events

REACH Community Health Forums

Sunday’s, 3:00 pm

Channel 15

Information: 413-664-5404

REACH is presenting a weekly video series that focuses on important health topics like cardiovascular health, nutrition and stroke awareness. The series airs on Sunday’s at 3:00 pm on Channel 15. The program is produced in collaboration with Northern Berkshire Community Television Corporation.

Resources

Caregiver’s Lending Library

Information: 413.664.5404