Health Briefs for the week

Don’t just sit — Get Fit!

GOSHEN — Goshen Health has launched the Park Bench Fitness program. This is a collaborative project with grant funding from the Indiana Department of Health designed to increase physical activity in local parks. By scanning a QR code located on signs near benches, community members can access free exercise videos led by a Goshen Health exercise physiologist. The videos are available in English and Spanish and give participants an opportunity to get a full body workout using nothing more than a park bench. For more information or to find participating park locations, visit GoshenHealth.com/About-Us/Park-Bench-Fitness.

Learn more about heart health on World Heart Day

GOSHEN — To promote heart health, nurses from Goshen Heart & Vascular Center and Goshen Hospital are partnering with first responders to share their expertise on World Heart Day to raise awareness on cardiovascular diseases. On Sept. 29, there will be two events at local fire stations: the first from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Benton Fire Department, 68073 U.S. Highway 33; and the second from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Goshen Fire Station 3, 1203 College Ave.

This is a drop-in event where participants can learn about risk factors for heart disease, how chronic health conditions affect heart health, how to recognize when someone may be having a heart attack and how to perform hands-only CPR. Blood pressure screening will also be available.

Activities

MIDDLEBURY — Enjoy a Fall Equinox Hike in Elkhart County’s newest park, Corson Riverwoods County Park from 5 to 6 p.m. Sept. 23. Explore the terrain looking for signs of the changing season. All ages are welcome on this free hike, and no registration is required. The park is located between County Roads 10 and 12, near County Road 37.

Classes

SOUTH BEND — Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana will offer the free class “Dining + Dementia” from 10 to 11 a.m. Sept. 25 in the Care Partner Academy. Patty Piechocki, director of the Institute for Excellence in Memory Care, will lead this live/interactive web session. Participants can connect through their computer. Register online at https://alzni.org/caregivers/caregiving/.

SOUTH BEND — RiverBend Cancer Services Wellness House, 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd., will offer the following “Living Well with Cancer” classes. All classes are free and open to cancer patients, survivors, their families and caregivers; register for all classes by calling 574-287-4197.

• Sept. 25: 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 1 p.m. Zen Coloring; 5:30 p.m. Gentle Yoga.

• Sept. 26: 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; 1 p.m. MELT; 5:30 p.m. Men’s Support Group.

• Sept. 27: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Massage; 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 2 p.m. Reiki; 2 p.m. Dominoes; 4:30 p.m. Tai Chi.

• Sept. 28: 10 a.m. Yarnwork; 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; 1 to 2:30 p.m. Debbie’s Wig Salon, call to make appointment. 2 to 4 p.m. Personal Training.

MISHAWAKA — Battell Community Center, 904 N. Main St., offers the following fitness classes. Please note that fees and charges are subject to change without prior notice.

• Cardio Drumming — Combines dance and fitness. All skill levels are welcome. 6:30 p.m. Mondays; 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost: $5 per class.

• Middle Eastern Dance — Fitness and fun for all ages. Level 1 (beginners), 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays; Level 2 (intermediate/advanced), 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays; Level 3 (approval from Ruby); 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays. For cost and information, contact Ruby at 574-315-1915.

• Aerobics — Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 to 10 a.m. Start a morning exercise routine.

• Senior Shape Up — Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. All exercises are done while sitting in a chair or standing near the chair.

• Line Dancing — Tuesdays, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Open to all skill levels.

Events

BERRIEN COUNTY — Corewell Health Lakeland will hold the following community drive-thru flu shot clinics. No appointment is needed, and participants remain in their vehicles the entire time. Must be 18 years or older.

• Noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 25, Lincoln Charter Township Fire Department, 2130 W. John Beers Road, Stevensville.

• Noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 26, North Berrien Fire and Rescue-Riverside/Hagar, 3601 Coloma Road, Benton Harbor.

• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 28, Corewell Health Watervliet Hospital, 400 Medical Park Drive, Watervliet.

There is no cost with most insurance; bring insurance card with you. $37 for the traditional vaccine or $74 for the high-dose vaccine. Cash or check only; credit cards not accepted. For questions, contact Corewell Health Employer Services at 269-927-5154.

SOUTH BEND — Join others for a morning walk to honor those who died by suicide. Register today for “Race to Save Lives — Walk for Hope” benefitting Suicide Prevention Center, a program of United Health Services. The walk is Oct. 7 at Howard Park, 219 S. St. Louis Blvd. Registration is at 9:30 a.m. with the walk starting at 10 a.m. This event is suitable for the entire family. Register online at runsignup.com/Race/IN/SouthBend/WalktoSaveLives by Oct. 6. The cost is $30.

Blood drives

The American Red Cross will hold the following drives. Register at redcrossblood.org:

• South Central Junior-Senior High School, 9808 S. 600 W., Union Mills, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. CDT Sept. 22.

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 402 E. Coolspring Ave., Michigan City, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT Sept. 23.

• University of Notre Dame, 101 Duncan Student Center, South Bend, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 26.

• Mishawaka High School, 1202 Lincoln Way E., Mishawaka, 1 to 6 p.m. Sept. 26.

• The Michiana Event Center, 455 E. Farver St., Shipshewana, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 26.

• Triton High School, 300 Triton Drive, Bourbon, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 27.

• Harvest Lakeshore Church, 5411 Cleveland Ave., Stevensville, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 27.

• Converge Community Church, 601 W. Buffalo St., New Buffalo, noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 28.

Medical Foundation will hold the following drives. Register at givebloodnow.com:

• Niles High School, 1441 Eagle St., Niles, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 22.

• New Carlisle Fire Department, 106 S. Arch St., New Carlisle, 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 22.

• Greene Township Lions Club, 24600 Roosevelt Road, South Bend, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 23.

• Grace United Methodist Church, 3012 S. Twyckenham, South Bend, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 24.

• Niles Buchanan YMCA, 905 N. Front St., Niles, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 25.

• Doyle Community Center, 310 N. Franks Ave., Sturgis, 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 25.

• Elkhart County Prosecutors, 301 S. Main St., Elkhart, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 26.

• Saint Joseph Health System-Plymouth, 1915 Lake Ave., Plymouth, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 26.

• Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 27.

• NIBCO, 1516 Middlebury St., Elkhart, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 27.

• Woodlawn Hospital, 1400 E. Ninth St., Rochester, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 28.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Health Briefs for South Bend area from Sept. 22-28, 2023