Health happenings: Dec. 29

Send information about free or low-cost health-related events open to the public 10 days ahead of publication. Information can be emailed to calendar@bradenton.com.

ONGOING PROGRAMS

Tobacco prevention class change: The Tobacco Free Manatee Coalition meets 4-5 p.m. Jan. 13, 2016, and the second Wednesday of every other month. The meetings are held at the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County, 410 Sixth Ave. E., Bradenton. Tobacco Free Manatee's mission is to reduce tobacco use in Manatee County.

Aging concerns: Manatee Aging Network, a voluntary coalition of people representing both for-profit and nonprofit health, human and social service organizations and others concerned with aging issues, meets 9-10 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month at Waters Edge of Bradenton, 3132 21st Lane W., Bradenton. Networking begins at 8:30 a.m. Information: 941-748-7797.

Cancer-patient groups: These cancer-patient groups meet at Blake Medical Center, 2020 59th St. W., Bradenton. Information: BlakeMedicalCenter.com/cancer. For information and registration, call 888-359-3552.

Yoga for cancer patients with Anne Silverman, 941-465-1590; 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Mondays; Cancer Support Community at Blake.

Exercise class for breast cancer patients with Marsha Shuford 941-798-2141; noon-1 p.m. Tuesdays; Cancer Support Community at Blake.

American Cancer Society at Blake open 10 a.m.-noon Wednesdays in the Cancer Resource Center. Information: Diane, 941-782-7416.

Belly dancing for oncology patients: Counters the feeling of being stiff or rigid and helps improve flexibility; noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays in the Cancer Support Community at Blake.

Caring Friends Support Group: meets 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the Dolphin Pelican Room at Blake. The group is free, doctor-supported and no registration is required. Information: Winnie Schroeder, 941-792-7204.

Chronic Kidney Disease Education: A free class is offered on chronic kidney disease that covers causes, progression and treatment options. Individuals diagnosed with chronic kidney disease or with diabetes and/or high blood pressure can benefit greatly from this education. Call Tracy at (941) 405-9683 to register for a class or individual session. This education is available ongoing at one of two Bradenton locations: 520 Manatee Ave E. in East Bradenton or 5902 Point West Blvd. in West Bradenton.

Fitness classes: The Senior Enrichment Center at Renaissance on 9th, 1816 Ninth St. W., Bradenton, offers Yoga Stretch at 11 a.m. Mondays and Muscular Strength and Range of Movement at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Both classes are suitable for varying levels of mobility. Cost: $5 for SEC Members, $7 for guests and free to Silver Sneakers participants. Information: 941-749-0100.

H2U programs: These events are offered by H2U, an adult health and wellness organization sponsored by Blake Medical Center. Individuals pay a $20 annual membership fee, and become members of the national H2U program. Some of the benefits include: VIP hospital privileges; upgrade in room, if available; free daily local newspaper; complimentary meal plan for a spouse or caregiver during member's inpatient hospitalization; and Medicare Part A Deductible may be waived. For specific events and reservations, call 1-888-359-3552. To receive H2U Program information and membership application, call 941-792-0211. Activities offered include aerobics, bridge lesson, bingo, tai chi, line dancing, Wii, Zumba and more. The Cortez Center is at 6670 Cortez Road; the Bayshore Center is at 6049 26th St. W.; the Ellenton Center is at 7042 U.S. 301 N. For more information, call 941-792-0211; for reservations, call 888-359-3552.

LRMC programs and support groups: Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., holds the following ongoing programs and support groups: diabetes support group, Healthy Hearts support group, Heart Device support group, childbirth education classes, new mom and baby group, prenatal yoga. For information on these programs, call 800-454-8215.

MMH programs and support groups: Manatee Memorial Hospital, 206 Second St. E., Bradenton, 941-746-5111 hosts the following classes, support groups and programs at the hospital: MOMM's Place/Perinatal Education Classes for moms, dads and families including: Prepared Childbirth, Your Amazing Newborn, Introduction to Breastfeeding, Keeping Baby Safe, Lowdown on Labor, Mommy Yollet, Car Seat Check Ups, classes held in MOMM's Place, MMH Medical Office Building Suite 3F, call 941-745-6925. Support Groups include: Women Living with Cancer Support Group, meets at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays at MOMM's Place, MMH Medical Office Building Suite 3F, call 941-745-6925; HOPE Stroke Support Group in partnership with Florida Home Health, for stroke survivors and caregivers 4-6 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Bradenton Country Club, call 941-773-4628; Senior Advantage (50+) offers services designed to enhance health and well-being. Call the "What's Happening Line" at 941-745-7308 for information on events during the month, 941-745-7548 to find out about joining. For more information on community seminars, events and programs offered by Manatee Memorial Hospital, call 941-745-7545 or check the website at manateememorial.com.

Memory testing: Bradenton Research Center under the supervision of Dr. W. Alvin McElveen offers free memory testing 1-5 p.m. Thursdays at 3924 Ninth Ave. W., Bradenton. No appointment necessary. Information: 941-708-0005 or bradentonresearch.com.

National Alliance on Mental Illness of Manatee County: meets at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3200 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. General membership meetings are 7-9 p.m. the fourth Monday, support group meets 7-9 p.m. the second Monday. NAMI Manatee is a grassroots, self-help organization whose mission and goals are threefold: to support family members who have a loved one with a severe mental illness; to educate the general public through outreach; and to advocate for mentally ill individuals who are affected by no-fault biological brain disorders. Information: 941-758-3562 or 941-778-2095, or visit namimanateecounty.org.

Parenting and family matters: Family Resources, 361 Sixth Ave. W., Bradenton, offers a variety of workshops, including "Relating to Your

Teen: How to Improve Your Relationship," free workshop and snack offered 6-7:30 p.m. Thursdays; crisis intervention, family assessments and individual, group and family counseling; voluntary pay; and individual, marital, group and family support counseling for children and their families confronting difficulties involving family separation and divorce. Information: 941-741-3575.

Parkinson's Disease help: The Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center, a service of Manatee Memorial Hospital is now offering the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT BIG™) program for improving communication and movement in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Two therapists from the center, Dawn Castro, PT and Ashley Zuberbier, PTA were recently trained and received their certification in this advanced treatment for Parkinson's. The LSVT BIG program consists of a total of 16 individual 60-minute sessions over one month (four sessions per week) that are specifically developed to address the unique movement impairments seen in Parkinson's patients. The intense treatment protocol which includes many repetitions of core daily living movements trains patients to increase the amplitude of their limb and body movements. The program has shown to improve balance, speed of walking and function with daily tasks. The Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center is at 5245 33rd St. E., Suite 32, Bradenton. Call Suzanne Anderson at 941-745-7559 for more information.

CLASSES

Creative Movement Class: Bella Danza Dance and Ballroom Academy has added a class designed and structured for children with handicaps. Children will explore music and dance in a variety of stimulating and fun activities and exercises. The class is appropriate for children or teens with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, deafness, blindness, wheelchair bound, Down's Syndrome, and others. The class meets at 2 p.m. Saturdays at The Bella Danza Studio, 5702 Manatee Ave. W. Cost: $50/month. Information and registration: belladanzadance.com or Cindy Tanner at 941-301-5854.

Diabetes programs, classes: Manatee County Rural Health Services offers a free program for diabetic patients, including classes, to help them better manage their disease. Information: Rosa at East Manatee clinic, 941-708-8700, or Sherian at the North Manatee clinic, 941-721-2020.

Free diabetes classes are offered 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays at the Southeast Administration Building, 919 53rd Ave. E. The classes will teach participants how to prevent and delay related diabetes complications, help control blood sugar levels and more. Information: 941-751-8100.

A free diabetes and obesity education class meets 10-11 a.m. the first Saturday of the month at the RTI Insurance Building, 6371 Business Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The class is also offered 4-5 p.m. the first Friday of each month at Pinnacle Medical Center, 315 75th St. NW., Bradenton. Space is limited; call 941- 504-4000 for reservations.

"OutSmart Diabetes" Healthy Lifestyle Education Program offers updated classes on a regular basis, focusing on anyone wanting to live a healthier lifestyle. Day or evening classes offered. Six-hour comprehensive education class, held over two days, three hours each day. Complimentary blood sugar meter and testing supplies given for the person with diabetes if needed. Individual home visit made for the special needs client for diabetes education, blood sugar meter training, insulin training. Pre-registration requested; call 941-232-3846.

Fitness: G.T. Bray has announced a group fitness schedule which includes Yoga, cycling, karate, gentle aerobics, Zumba and more. Call 941-742-5923 or visit mymanatee.org for class schedule and membership information.

Parkinson's disease "Fun Fitness" class: Fun Fitness, taught by Kathi Sims, certified Parkinson fitness instructor, is a relaxed and fun exercise class that focuses on muscle strengthening, flexibility, balance and co-ordination. Classes are 1 p.m. Mondays and Thursday at Parkinson Place, 5969 Cattleridge Blvd., Suite 100, Sarasota; 10 a.m. Tuesdays at Oneco Methodist Church, 2112 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton; and 10 a.m. Wednesdays at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3011 19th Ave. W., Bradenton. For more information, contact Kathi at 351-3040 or kathisims Parkinson Place, 5969 Cattleridge Blvd., Suite 100, Sarasota, a variety of classes and events for Parkinson's patients and caregivers. For a schedule of events, call 941-893-4188.

Gentle/Chair Yoga & Meditation with Lynn Burgess, 10 a.m. first and third Monday; for patients and caregivers wanting easy and effective ways to stay calm and focused through ability-based yoga movements, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques.

Dance For Parkinson's with Leymis Wilmott, 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday; for patients and caregivers wanting a fun ways to stay active and engaged through expressive movement to live music. Based on the renowned Mark Morris "Dance for PD," Brooklyn, N.Y.

Care-4-Me with Denise Drabik, 2 p.m. first and third Tuesday; guidance, support and resources for caregivers through an informal Q & A group discussion and recommendations for the best individual care plan.

Voice Aerobics with Mary Spremulli, 10 a.m. first and third Wednesday; for patients wanting to enhance speech and communication through breathing and voice exercises that can be practiced at home.

Ageless Grace with Mary Masi, 10 a.m. second and fourth Thursday; for patients and caregivers wanting to enhance function and cognitive skills through 21 body-and-mind chair exercises that stimulate and utilize the five areas of the brain and promote lifelong comfort and ease.

Parkinson Power with Marilyn Tait, 10 a.m. third Thursday; positive and rewarding motivational programs focused on empowerment.

This story was originally published December 28, 2015 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Health happenings: Dec. 29 ."