Health Briefs for the week

Goshen Health expands resources for robotic-assisted procedures

GOSHEN — Goshen Health has received two new da Vinci surgical systems to increase its capacity to perform robotic-assisted surgeries. In addition, the hospital surgical suites were upgraded with a new endoscopic video platform for minimally invasive procedures. Robotic assistance allows surgeons to perform routine and complex surgeries with more precision and control than with traditional surgeries. The surgeon uses only a few small incisions and has clearer images to perform the procedure. Most patients experience less pain and have shorter stays in the hospital after robotic-assisted surgery. Most patients also recover more quickly with fewer complications and return to normal activities in less time. Robotic-assisted surgeries can be used for total knee, partial knee and hip replacements, gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy procedures, and Bronchoscopy procedures.

Classes

SOUTH BEND — Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana will offer the free class “I’m Falling for You — Falls” from 10 to 11 a.m. Feb. 12 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; pre-register for all classes by calling 574-287-4197.

• Feb. 12: 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 11:15 a.m. Breathworks; 1 p.m. Zen Coloring; 5:30 p.m. Gentle Yoga.

• Feb. 13: 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; Noon Bites & Bits Cooking Class: A Bite of Good Food and a Bit of Knowledge; 1 p.m. MELT.

• Feb. 14: 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 2 p.m. Dominoes; 5:30 p.m. Supper and Support.

• Feb. 15: 10 a.m. Yarnwork; 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; 1 to 2 p.m. Debbie’s Wig Salon.

GOSHEN — Chair Yoga will be offered by the Elkhart County Parks at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 15 in the Ox Bow Haus Shelter in Ox Bow Park, 23033 County Road 45. Chair Yoga is a gentle form of yoga that is done while seated or using a chair for balance. Wear comfortable clothing. Some mats are available, bring your own if you have one. This is a free class for those 12 years and older. No registration is required.

SOUTH BEND — The St. Joseph County Public Library is offering “Yoga for EveryBODY” from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14 in Ballroom A & B, Community Learning Center, 305 S. Michigan St. Register at sjcpl.libnet.info/events.

Events

SOUTH BEND — Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana will present Care Partner Academy — Becoming and Advocate from 11 a.m. to noon Feb. 13 in the Community Learning Center, Classroom D at the St. Joseph County Public Library, 305 S. Michigan St. Advocacy is speaking up in support of an idea or an action with the sole purpose of protecting a person’s rights. Learn what it means to be an advocate for your loved one and how important it is.

BUCHANAN —James Busby will be at the Buchanan Area Senior Center at 2 p.m. Feb. 15 to have a discussion on dementia care. Topics include caring and interacting, examples of dementia behaviors, communication techniques, and warning signs. Call 269-695-7119 to register. The BASC is located at 810 Rynearson St.

Support Groups

MISHAWAKA — Michiana Hematology Oncology will hold its monthly Breast Cancer Survivor Support Group meeting from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at 5340 Holy Cross Parkway. The group is led by Dr. Zon, physician emeritus of MHO. This month’s guest speaker is Heather Borsa, MHO Dietician, presenting “New Year, New Menu: Transitioning to a Healthier You.” All are welcome, including current patients, family members and cancer support advocates. Sign-up is not required. If you would like to RSVP or ask a question, contact Monica Chan at 574-231-6479; monica.chan@mhopc.com.

NILES — Lory’s Place and the Niles-Buchanan YMCA offers a free, in-person grief support group for adults who have experienced the death of someone significant. This is an open-ended group, which means you can attend or leave whenever you choose. The group meets the second Wednesday of each month (Feb. 14) from noon to 1 p.m. at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, 905 N. Front St. Space is limited. Register by calling 269-983-2707.

STEVENSVILLE — Join a walking group that allows participants who are grieving to gather in a supportive environment as you walk and talk. Walk at your own pace, benches are available for breaks. Open group for adults only, no need to pre-register. Gather from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Kohn Fieldhouse, (just south of Lakeshore High School) 5771 Cleveland Ave. Walkers will be required to change shoes upon entering the building. Lockers are available to store coats and boots while walking. For more information, contact Jaime Hoover at 269-429-7100.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services offers the following support groups every month. Registration required.

Elkhart County

• First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart, 5 to 6:30 p.m. every second Tuesday, Norene Smith at 574-303-9971.

• Greencroft, 1820 Greencroft Blvd., Goshen, 3 to 4:30 p.m. every fourth Tuesday, Amy Willhelm at 574-537-4000 or Frank Piaskowy at 574-903-1176.

• Waterford Crossing, 1332 Waterford Circle, Goshen, 6 to 7 p.m. every fourth Thursday, Lisa Zolinger at 574-534-3920.

• Brentwood at Elkhart Independent Living, 3600 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, 2 to 3 p.m. every second Wednesday, Gayla Konanz at 574-232-8487.

• Brentwood at Elkhart Assisted Living, 3109 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. the last Wednesday, Jennifer Kedik at 574-266-4508.

• Harmony at Elkhart, 1129 Parkway Ave., Elkhart, 6 to 7 p.m. every third Wednesday, Michelle Niswonger at 574-821-7137.

LaPorte County

• Rittenhouse Senior Living, 4300 Cleveland Ave., Michigan City, 2 to 3 p.m. CST every third Wednesday, Debbie Burgess at 219-256-1239 or Dorothy White at 219-369-1247.

• Brentwood at LaPorte, 2002 Andrew Ave., LaPorte, 10 to 11:30 a.m. CST every second Thursday, Amy Harner at 219-325-1599.

Marshall County

• Marshall County Council on Aging, 1305 W. Harrison St., Plymouth, 3 to 4 p.m. every third Thursday, Joe Collins at 574-232-4121.

St. Joseph County

• Milton Village, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, 10 to 11:30 a.m. every third Tuesday; or 10 to 11:30 a.m. every first Thursday, Norene Smith at 574-232-4121.

• Hamilton Grove, 31777 Chicago Trail, New Carlisle, 1 to 2:30 p.m. every first Wednesday, Dorothy White at 219-369-1247 or Sandy Papai at 574-213-4637.

• North Woods Village, 1409 E. Day Road, Mishawaka, 2 to 3 p.m. every fourth Tuesday, Deejra Lee or Cristy Kaniewski at 574-247-1866.

• Always Best Care, 310 N. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, 10 to 11 a.m. every fourth Monday, Gayla Konanz at 574-383-9010; or 11 a.m. to noon every second Tuesday, Patricia Spagnola at 574-383-9010.

• You Too! Caring for Caregivers, location changes, call for address, 2 to 4 p.m. every third Saturday, Wanda Dudley at 574-400-5021.

• St. Paul’s, 3602 S. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, 1 to 2 p.m. every third Wednesday, Kris Borkowski at 574-284-9000.

Starke County

• Brickyard Healthcare, Knox Care Center, 300 E. Culver Road, Knox, 6 to 7 p.m. CST every second Thursday, Connie Boisvert at 574-772-6248.

Virtual

• Call for virtual Zoom meeting invitation, 2 to 3 p.m. every first Wednesday, Joe Collins at 574-232-4121

Vaccinations

SOUTH BEND — Crest Manor Church of the Brethren, 1342 Berkshire Drive, will host the Indiana Department of Health’s Walk-in Clinic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 17 and 24. The clinic will offer COVID and flu vaccines and COVID boosters. Bring your insurance card because your insurance will be billed for services.

BUCHANAN — Lakeland Care Network, a partner with Corewell Health, will have a team at the Buchanan Area Senior Center, 810 Rynearson St., from 10 to 11 a.m. Feb. 20 to offer the Moderna COVID vaccine. The vaccine will be billed to your insurance company. Contact your insurance company if you have any questions regarding your coverage. Call the BASC at 269-695-7119 to set an appointment. Bring your insurance card and vaccination cards to the appointment.

Blood drives

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

• Marshall County Building, 112 W. Jefferson St., Plymouth, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 9

• DLZ Indiana LLC, 2211 E. Jefferson, South Bend, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 12.

• Northern Indiana Axle, 1780 W. Market St., Nappanee, noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 13.

• Saint Joseph Health System Mishawaka, 5215 Holy Cross Parkway, Mishawaka, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 13.

• Leadership SBM and IUSB Honors Program, 1700 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 14.

• Elkhart General Hospital, 600 East Blvd., Elkhart, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 14.

• Ava Zimmerman Memorial Drive, Howard Ellis Elementary School, 2788 Mannix St., Niles, 2 to 6 p.m. Feb. 15.

• Redbud Fitness and Lifestyle Center, 500 E. Third St., Buchanan, 3 to 7 p.m. Feb. 15.

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

• First Church of God, 2020 E. Lincolnway, LaPorte, noon to 6 p.m. CST Feb. 12.

• Triton High School, 300 Triton Drive, Bourbon, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 14.

• Silver Beach Center, 333 Broad St., St. Joseph, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 14.

• South Central Junior-Senior High School, 9808 S. 600 W., Union Mills, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. CST Feb. 14.

• Ivy Tech Community College, 289 Dean Johnson Blvd., South Bend, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 15.

• Plymouth Fire Department, 111 N. Center St., Plymouth, 1 to 6 p.m. Feb. 15.

• Hamon Gray, American Legion Post 83, 228 E. Lincolnway, LaPorte, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST Feb. 15.

• St. Joseph Catholic Church, 16603 U.S. 12 East, White Pigeon, noon to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 15.

• Blue Chip Casino, 777 Blue Chip Drive, Michigan City, noon to 5 p.m. CST Feb. 15.

• Culver-Union Township Public Library, 107 N. Main St., Culver, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 15.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Health Briefs for South Bend area from Feb. 9 to Feb. 15, 2024