Health Briefs for the week

StoryPoint Granger wins “Caring Stars 2024” Award

GRANGER — StoryPoint Granger has been recognized with a Caring.com “Caring Stars 2024” Award. To receive this award, communities have an overall average rating of 4.5 stars or higher and published business responses for 1-star or 2-star negative reviews on their Caring.com profiles. In addition to its Caring Stars 2024 recognition, StoryPoint Granger also received the Caring Super Stars Award, given to senior living communities named on the Caring Stars list for three or more years. The Caring Stars 2024 Awards list includes 374 senior living communities in 36 states recognized for service excellence based on consumer ratings and reviews from seniors and their families.

Birth Center lauded for maternal-fetal health initiatives

MICHIGAN CITY — The Franciscan Health Family Birth Center in Michigan City received the INspire Hospital of Distinction award by the Indiana Hospital Association in partnership with Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver. The birth center was judged based on the implementation of best practices in key maternal-fetal health categories, including safe sleep, breastfeeding, tobacco, perinatal substance use, Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health safety bundles and social drivers of health. AIM safety bundles are sets of practices that improve the quality of care provided during delivery and in the postpartum period with the goal of reducing deaths and severe illness.

Activities

ELKHART — Elkhart County Parks will offer two days of hiking.

• First Day Hike, 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 1 at Boot Lake Nature Preserve, 51430 County Road 3, Elkhart. All ages are invited to kick off 2024 with a hike through the landscape of Boot Lake Nature Preserve. No registration required.

• Bird Walk, 8 to 10 a.m. Jan. 3 at Baintertown Park-River Preserve County Park, 67380 County Road 29, New Paris. Stretch your wings on a morning walk exploring the preserve’s wetland, woodland and prairie seeking out the bird life hidden there. For ages 8 and older. No registration required.

Classes

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.

• Jan. 2: 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; 1 p.m. MELT Method.

• Jan. 3: 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 2 p.m. Dominoes.

• Jan. 4: 10 a.m. Yarnwork; 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; 1 p.m. Debbie’s Wig Salon; 2 to 4 p.m. Personal Training Sessions, call for registration specifics.

GOSHEN — Chair Yoga will be offered by the Elkhart County Parks at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 4 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 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. Jan. 3 in Ballroom A & B, Community Learning Center, 305 S. Michigan St. Register at sjcpl.libnet.info/events.

BUCHANAN — The Buchanan Area Senior Center, 810 Rynearson St., 269-695-7119, offers the following exercise classes and health checks through the end of January. The exercise room is open all hours BASC is open. Note: the BASC is closed on Jan. 1.

• Mondays: 10 a.m. Chair fitness with Linda; 11 a.m. Dancing to the Oldies with CeCe; 2 p.m. Qigong exercise; Closed Jan. 1.

• Tuesdays: 9 a.m. Osteo fit with Missy; 5:30 p.m. Powerbeats with Missy.

• Wednesdays: 10:15 a.m. Chair fitness with CeCe.

• Thursdays: 11 a.m. Chair yoga.

• Fridays: 10 a.m. Chair fitness with Lizz.

• Blood Pressure Checks — Always Best Care Senior Services will be at the BASC from 10 to 10:30 a.m. on Jan 11 and Jan. 25.

• Hearing Aid Checks — Dr. Michelle Ridenour from Miracle Ear, will be at the center from 2 to 3 p.m. Jan. 9, to check ears for wax, clean hearing aids and answer questions. Call the BASC to register.

• Senior Nutrition – SNS/Meals on Wheels of SW Michigan announces the meal site in the Center is open. Lunch starts at noon. Call Kerri at 269-695-7119 by 10 a.m. Monday-Friday to reserve your meal the next business day. Seating is limited. Ask about home delivery service for qualifying homebound seniors. Must be 60 years or older.

• Pamper Your Feet — Monthly foot clinic through Blessed Feet, LLC, beginning at 9 a.m. Jan. 25. Initial appointment fee is $40; all subsequent appointments will cost $30 (checks payable to Blessed Feet, LLC). Not covered under any insurance. Call the BASC to schedule an appointment.

Vaccinations

BUCHANAN — The Buchanan Area Senior Center will host Yolanda Thrash, program instructor with Michigan State University and Michigan Vaccine Project, at 2 p.m. Jan. 5 to share information on vaccines and what vaccines to ask your doctor about. Call 269-695-7119 to register.

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 or older.

• Noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 29 and Jan. 3 at 100 W. Main St., Benton Harbor.

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, please contact Corewell Health Employer Services at 269-927-5154.

Blood drives

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

• Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 411 W. Vistula St., Bristol, 2 to 6 p.m. Dec. 29.

• Mayor of Plymouth, Plymouth Fire Station, 111 N. Center St., Plymouth, 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 30.

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

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 220 Crescent Drive, LaPorte, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST Dec. 30.

• Nappanee at Claywood Event Center, 13920 N. 1100 W., Nappanee, noon to 6 p.m. Jan. 2.

• St. John’s United Church of Christ, 101 St. John Road, Michigan City, noon to 6 p.m. CST Jan. 2.

• Fireman’s Building, 1013 E. Arthur St., Warsaw, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 2.

• American Legion Post 400, 302 Lakeside Drive, Walkerton, 1 to 6 p.m. Jan. 4.

• Knights of Columbus, 901 E. Jefferson St., Plymouth, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 4.

• Calvary United Methodist Church, 801 S. Huntington, Syracuse, noon to 6 p.m. Jan. 4.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Health Briefs for South Bend area from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4