Health Briefs for the week

Cheryl Morey, South Bend Tribune
·6 min read
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Activities

SOUTH BEND — Self-Healing Communities of Greater Michiana will host an interactive workshop, “Neurobiological Support for Navigating the Holidays,” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Community Learning Center at the St. Joseph County Public Library, 305 S. Michigan St. This interactive workshop will help seniors and adults explore new ideas to help themselves, loved ones or neighbors navigate the holidays and feel more supported when the days feel heavy.

ST. JOSEPH — Grieving is a painful and difficult process no matter what time of year it is. However, holidays can be even more difficult. Join with others to create comfort boxes. These boxes are emotional first aid kits for any time comfort is needed. There is no cost for this activity. Meet from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at Lory’s Place, 445 Upton Drive.

Classes

SOUTH BEND — Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana will offer the free class “Alzheimer’s & Dementia 101” from 10 to 11 a.m. Dec. 4 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.

• Dec. 4: 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 5:30 p.m. Gentle Yoga.

• Dec. 5: 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; 5:30 p.m. Empowered Movement.

• Dec. 6: 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 5:30 p.m. General Cancer Support Group.

• Dec. 7: 10 a.m. Beginning Yarnwork; 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; 1 p.m. Debbie’s Wig Salon.

SOUTH BEND — The St. Joseph County Public Library is offering a community yoga class from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6 in Ballroom A & B, Community Learning Center, 305 S. Michigan St. Register at sjcpl.libnet.info/events.

GOSHEN — Chair yoga will be offered by the Elkhart County Parks from 9 to 10 a.m. Dec. 7 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.

Events

ONLINE — Everence is hosting a free, educational Medicare webinar at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4 to address questions around Medicare. The webinar is for those investigating the transition to Medicare. Topics covered include: enrollment details and deadlines; budgeting for health care and income in retirement; options if you continue to work; when to start Social Security; prescription drug coverage and plans that supplement Medicare. Register at everence.com/Michiana. For more details and a list of 2024 dates, visit everence.com/medicare-Mondays.

Support Groups

ELKHART — An Epilepsy Support Group will meet the first Thursday of every month and is for individuals with epilepsy and families of those with epilepsy. The group meets from 7 to 8 p.m. at St. Thomas School, 1331 Main St., entrance off small parking lot. For more information, contact 317-308-4823 or email: mmmrobinson07@gmail.com or Facebook Group: Elkhart Epilepsy Support Group. The next meeting will be held Dec. 7.

SOUTH BEND — The New Hope Support Group will meet the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:15 p.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church, 54191 N. Ironwood. This interdenominational group is for divorced, widows, widowers and anyone suffering grief due to the loss of a loved one. The group meets in a large area of the basement level of the church. For more information, call C. Forsythe at 574-252-2158 or P. Haden at 574-251-0131. The next meetings will be held Dec. 5 and Dec. 19.

Vaccinations

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 4 p.m. Dec. 1, 5, 6, and 7 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, contact Corewell Health Employer Services at 269-927-5154.

Blood drives

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

• Clinton Frame Church, 63846 County Road 35, Goshen, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1.

• Converge Community Church, 601 W. Buffalo St., New Buffalo, noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 1.

• Frank and Edward Skwiat American Legion Post 451, 121 Skwiat Legion Ave., Michigan City, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. CST Dec. 2.

• Conservation Club House, 100 Mill Pond Road, Union Mills, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. CST Dec. 3.

• University of Notre Dame, 101 Duncan Student Center, South Bend, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 4.

• North Liberty Community Center, 300 S. Main St., North Liberty, 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 4.

• Ivy Tech Community College, 289 Dean Johnson Blvd., South Bend, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5.

• First Church of Christ, 2240 Yankee St., Niles, noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 5.

• Marian University’s Ancilla College, 9601 S. Union, Donaldson, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5.

• Matchett Square Bourbon Senior Center, 805 N. Harris St., Bourbon, 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 5.

• St. John’s United Church of Christ, 101 St. John Road, Michigan City, noon to 6 p.m. CST Dec. 5.

• St. Isidore Hall, 803 W. Bike St., Bremen, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6.

• Sacred Heart Church, 201 Bach St., LaPorte, noon to 5 p.m. CST Dec. 6.

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

• University of Notre Dame, Graduate Student Government Library Circle, South Bend, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1.

• Rolling Prairie Lions Club, 1 E. Michigan St., Rolling Prairie, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST Dec. 2.

• Adams High School, 808 S. Twyckenham, South Bend, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 4.

• University of Notre Dame, Campus Services, 119 Mason Services Center, South Bend, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5.

• Sturgis Hospital, 916 Myrtle Ave., Sturgis, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6.

• Interra Credit Union, 300 W. Lincoln Ave., Goshen, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 7.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Health Briefs for South Bend area from Dec. 1-7, 2023