Monmouth Medical Center Presents Early April Community Health Education Programs

DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT SERIES
Fridays, April 3, 10, 17 & 24 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Mondays, April 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Learn how to manage your diabetes by attending this four-session diabetes education program focusing on diet, nutrition, glucose monitoring, medications, meal plans, prevention and treatment of diabetes complications, dining out and benefits of exercise. The program is taught by a registered nurse and a registered dietitian/certified diabetes educator. It will be held at The Center for Diabetes Education at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. For information and to register for classes, call 732-923-5025. Program attendees will need a doctor’s prescription and will be billed to Medicare or your insurance carrier.

HEART SAVER CPR/AED PROGRAM
Saturday, April 4 & 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Babysitters, parents and grandparents are encouraged to attend this course that provides automated external defibrillator (AED) training to laypersons and also teaches how to recognize a medical emergency, adult, infant and child CPR, first aid for choking victims and the use of barrier devices to reduce the risk of infection. This class will take place at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. Registration is required by calling 1-888-277-2281 or online at www.cprtrainingnj.com. $60 per person.

HEART SAVER FIRST AID
Saturday, April 4 & 18 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This is a credentialed course intended for individuals with a duty to respond to a first aid emergency. The course contains information on how to manage illness and injuries in the first few minutes until professional help arrives. Note that CPR is not part of this program. Techniques learned from the course can be tailored for both adults and children. The program will take place at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. Registration is required by calling 1-888-277-2281 or online at www.cprtrainingnj.com. $50 per person.

PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Tuesday, April 7 from 11:15 a.m. to Noon
Parkinson’s disease is a disorder that affects nerve cells in a part of the brain that controls muscle movement. Parkinson’s usually begins around age 60, but it can start earlier and it is more common in men than in women. Although there is no cure, a variety of medicines sometime help symptoms dramatically. Neurologist Joshua T. Mendelson will discuss Parkinson’s symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options in this informative session. This program, for ages 60 and older, will take place at Howell Senior Center, located at 241 Preventorium Road in Howell. Registration is required by calling 732-938-4500, ext. 2554. Free.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPTIONS FOR REHABILITATION
Tuesday, April 7 at 4 p.m.
It can be overwhelming to choose the right level of therapy for yourself or a loved one during a hospitalization for a stroke, fracture or other life-altering event. During this one-hour session, Jill Garaffa, OTR/L, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Tinton Falls, will discuss all levels of therapy including home therapy, in-patient acute and sub-acute rehabilitation and out-patient rehab and prepare you to make the best decision on rehabilitation for yourself or a family member. This program will take place at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Tinton Falls, 1st floor conference room, located at 2 Centre Plaza in Tinton Falls. Registration is required by calling 732-460-5328. Free.

LIVING SMOKE FREE
Tuesdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28 & May 5 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
This drug free program helps participants to stop smoking and develop effective ways to live smoke free with emphasis on stress management including mediation. Learn calming techniques and craving control. This support group consists of five sessions with a follow-up free support group and takes place at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. Registration is required by calling 1-888-724-7123 or by emailing teamlink@barnabashealth.org. $75 per person.

STROKE AWARENESS
Wednesday, April 8 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
The best way to protect yourself and loved ones from stroke is to understand personal risk and how to manage it. Stroke is an emergency. The more people who can recognize and respond to stroke warning signs FAST – the better. Learn about prevention and how to act FAST for stroke and discuss nutrition for stroke prevention as well as the importance of weight management with our dietitian and nurse practitioner. This event will take place at Peter Cooper Village, located at 200 Forest Street in West Long Branch. To register, please call 732-229-3800. Free.

FREE GLUCOSE SCREENINGS
Thursdays, April 9 & 23 from 11 a.m. to Noon
A simple finger stick to test blood sugar to determine if glucose level is elevated. The test will be performed by a registered nurse. This program will be held at the Center for Diabetes Education at Monmouth Medical Center in classroom #A001 in the Maysie Stroock Pavilion, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. For information, call 732-923-5025. Free.

ASBURY PARK MUSIC IN FILM FESTIVAL
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 10, 11 & 12
Monmouth Medical Center is a proud sponsor of the inaugural Asbury Park Music in Film Festival, held in the iconic city of Asbury Park! The three-day festival will incorporate the musical heritage of Asbury Park with filmmakers and industry leaders from around the world. Local businesses and talent will be featured as well as music-influenced films and videos. There will also be a special category for local filmmakers as well as music and film talent from around the world. Proceeds from the festival will go to the Asbury Park Music Foundation and will benefit music education for children throughout the city. For tickets or more information, visit http://apmff.com. Free.

PLAY IT SAFE: FREE CARDIAC AND CONCUSSION SCREENINGS FOR YOUNG ATHLETES
Saturday, April 11 from 8 a.m. to noon
Experts recommend cardiac and concussion screenings for young athletes every two years. This event will feature cardiac screenings for young athletes ages 6 to 18, open to the first 130 athletes, and concussion screening for young athletes, 12 and older, open to the first 80 athletes. Screenings are sponsored by the Matthew J. Morahan, III Health Assessment Center. This event will take place at the Cranmer Ambulatory Surgery Center at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. Registration is required by emailing teamlink@barnabashealth.org. Free.

MINORITY AND MULTICULTURAL HEALTH FAIR
Sunday, April 12 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Stop by this community health fair focusing on healthy diets, obesity awareness and prevention, diabetes awareness, heart health, organ donation and wellness promotion. Free health screenings and giveaways will be offered. This health fair will take place at the Monmouth Mall, located at Routes 35 & 36 in Eatontown. Free.

HOWELL TOWNSHIP HEALTH FAIR
Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m. to Noon
This community health fair offers free health screenings including cholesterol, body composition analysis, BMI and skin cancer screens as well as health information and vendors. This event will take place at Southard School, located at 115 Kent Road in Howell. Free.

STORY PIRATES
Thursday, April 19 from 1 to 3 p.m.
The Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center in collaboration with the Monmouth Medical Center Foundation presents Story Pirates, a nationally acclaimed theatrical group, at the Ranney School in Tinton Falls. The program, recommended for children ages 3 to 12, begins with fun music, healthy snacks and interactive learning experiences with pediatric specialists. Children are invited to submit stories about health and wellness, such as exercise, nutrition, health or visiting the doctor. Stories will be selected to come to life as part of the Story Pirates’ full-scale stage production. Ranney School is located at 235 Hope Road in Tinton Falls. Tickets for Story Pirates are: $25 per person and $15 for children 12 and younger. Proceeds of the event will benefit The Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center. For tickets or submission forms, visit The Unterberg Children’s Hospital Leadership Council.

CREATING HEALTH: HOW TO IDENTIFY AND OVERCOME 10 HIDDEN OBSTACLES TO LIVING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Tuesday, April 21 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Most people believe if they just had more time, money, willpower or motivation, they would eat healthier or exercise. If you find yourself saying “I know what I need to do, I just can’t seem to do it,” consider attending this informative and enlightening class to understand the underlying reasons why you may be struggling to make healthier choices. Jill Garaffa, OTR/L, PCC, ELI-MP, a licensed occupational therapist with over 25 years of clinical experience and professional certified life coach, will teach you how to close the gap between knowing what to do to make healthier choices and actually doing it. You will leave this class with a shift in your mindset, a feeling of empowerment and set of practical tools you can put into immediate action to begin making healthy lifestyle changes. This program will take place at the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Tinton Falls, 1st floor conference room, located at 2 Centre Plaza in Tinton Falls. Seating is limited and registration is required by calling 732-460-5328. Free.