Healthy Life Series Continues in October at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center

Thursday, October 1 through November 19 – Bereavement Support Group for Spouse/Partner Loss Eight Thursday afternoon sessions from 2:30 – 4:00 pm, 755 North Broadway, Suite 545. Bess Steiger, LCSW, facilitator. Suggested donation of $10 per meeting. Pre-registration is required. Contact Bess Steiger at 914-366-3957 or bsteiger@pmhc.us.

Friday, October 2 - Demystifying Medicare This program will present the different Medicare plans. Participants will receive information on the costs and benefits of each plan to allow them to make informed decisions on coverage. Topics will include original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, prescription drug plans, Medigaps (supplemental plans), and cost-saving programs like EPIC. The program will help people currently enrolled in Medicare, as well as those soon to be 65, planning their retirement, or assisting relatives and friends with their medical decisions. 9:00 am-12:30 pm in the Auditorium. Call 914-366-3937 to register.

Friday, October 2, 16 and 23 - Tai Chi Classes (6 non-consecutive classes) Tai chi is a graceful form of exercise that helps reduce stress and is beneficial for a variety of other health conditions. Tai chi promotes serenity through gentle, flowing movements performed in a slow, focused manner and accompanied by deep breathing. At the James House. Two sessions per date: 9:30 am and 10:30 am, $10 per session. Future class dates: November 6 and 13. To register, call 914-366-3937.

Saturday, October 3 - CarFit Event for Older Drivers Attend a free, 20-minute educational session designed to help improve the “fit” of your car for safety and comfort, participate in conversations about driving safety, and link with local resources so you can continue to drive for as long as safely possible. Members of Phelps’ Occupational Therapy Department will provide information to ensure the safest “fit” for older drivers and their vehicles to help ensure a clear line of sight over the steering wheel, proper seat belt use and fit and safe positioning of mirrors to minimize blind spots. In the parking garage from 9 am – 12 pm (rain or shine). Appointments are required. Call 914-366-3705 to schedule.

Monday, October 5 - Look Good . . . Feel Better® is a free 2-hour workshop that teaches beauty techniques to women undergoing cancer treatment. The program includes a hair consultation with a professional stylist and a makeup consultation with a cosmetologist. Attendees can take home a complimentary wig and a make-up kit donated by cosmetic companies. At 755 North Broadway, in Room 545 from 6 – 8 pm. Call 914-366-3315 or 914-366-3421 to register.

Wednesday, October 7 - Mind Games is a fun way for seniors to help stimulate their minds and improve cognitive functioning (memory, visual recall, problem solving, focus and speed, and spatial reasoning) by playing group games. In the Boardroom from 2 -3:30 pm. Call 914-366-3937 to register.

Thursday, October 8 - Speech Therapy for Parkinson’s Patients: Think LOUD, Speak LOUD Join graduates of LSVT LOUD and learn about this intensive speech therapy program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Presented by Andrea Bracciante-Ely, MS Sp, CCC-SLP, senior speech language pathologist, from 10:30 – 11:30 am in the Walkway Conference Room. Registration is required. Call 914-366-3010 to register.

Thursday, October 8 - The Breakfast Club is a series of free breakfast meetings designed especially for seniors that meets monthly, except for August and December. Each session includes breakfast, a presentation on a topic of interest to seniors and a light exercise program. The topic this month is TMJ and headaches. The group meets from 8:30-10:30 am in the Cafeteria (G Level). Call 914-366-3937 to register.

Thursday, October 8 - Osteoporosis Support and Education A free monthly group program for individuals with osteoporosis, providing education on nutrition, exercise (weight-bearing, strengthening and balance) and activities of daily living. The sessions are held from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm the second Thursday of the month in the Boardroom (C Level). Call 914-366-2270 to register.

Thursday, October 8 and Friday, October 16- Speech-Language Screenings for Preschool Children Are you concerned about your child’s speech and language development? If so, call for a free speech-language screening with Kim M. Ventimiglia, MS, CCC-SLP, pediatric speech-language pathologist. Thursday, October 8, 1:00 – 2:30 pm; Friday, October 16, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm at the Donald R. Reed Speech & Hearing Center at 777 North Broadway, in Suite 303. Registration is required. Call 914-366-3010 to register.

Friday, October 9 – Alzheimer’s Support Group Caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t mean you don’t have to go it alone. Join us and receive the emotional, educational and social support needed to successfully care for someone with dementia. In the 755 Building, Room 545 from 10:00 – 11:30 am. Call 914-366-3937 for more information.

Tuesday, October 13 – Better Breathers Club The Better Breathers Club is an informal interactive support group for people with breathing disorders. Learn about how playing the harmonica can help you to breathe better. Harmonicas will be provided. Led by Judy Burns, Director, Phelps Behavioral Health Services. From 12 – 1 pm in the Pulmonary Lab. Call 914-366-3712 to register.

Tuesday, October 13 - Controlling the Pain of Arthritic Knees Without Undergoing Surgery

If you have arthritis of the knee, you have probably thought about whether you might need to have surgery. Orthopedic surgeon J. Robert Seebacher, MD, will discuss a non-surgical therapy that often helps people maintain active lifestyles while postponing – or eliminating – the need for surgery. Learn how injections and exercise can enable reconditioning and reduction of inflammation and pain. In the Auditorium at 6:30 pm. Call 914-366-3100 to register.

Wednesday, October 14 through December 2 – Bereavement Support Group for Parent/Sibling Loss Eight Wednesday evening sessions from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at 755 North Broadway, Suite 225. Jody Monkovic, LMSW, facilitator. Suggested donation of $10 per meeting. Pre-registration is required. Contact Bess Steiger at 914-366-3957 or bsteiger@pmhc.us.

Thursday, October 15 - Lung Cancer Screenings for High Risk Individuals Avraham Merav, MD, Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Director of the Westchester Lung Nodule Center, will discuss how low-dose CT lung cancer screening for individuals who are at high risk can save lives. From 6:30 – 7:30 pm, in the Auditorium. A light dinner will be served at 6:00 pm in the Boardroom. Registration is required. Call 914-366-2333 to register.

Monday October 19 - Swallow Screening Do you sometimes feel food or liquid going down the “wrong pipe” or coming back up? Does food get stuck? Do you have pain when you swallow? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should attend this free swallow screening clinic from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm in the Walkway Conference Room. Conducted by Lynne Marie Gagne-LeBlanc, MS, CCC-SLP; Andrea Bracciante-Ely, MS Sp, CCC-SLP; and Paula Dinu, MS, CCC-SLP. Registration is required. Call 914-366-3010 to register.

Tuesday, October 20 – Senior Steps offers health screenings for seniors on the third Tuesday of the month from 10:00-11:30 am. A different screening is offered each month. For more information, call 914-366-3937.

Tuesday, October 20– Essential Vocal Warm-ups for the Professional Voice User By performing these systematic exercises, you’ll be able to speak and sing with more freedom. Goals are to release muscle tension, increase range and expressiveness and have fewer vocal problems during a presentation or performance. The session will be led by Leah Ross-Kugler, MS, CCC-SLP, voice rehabilitation specialist. The workshop will be from 6:00 – 7:00 pm in the C-Level Classroom. Bring a yoga mat. Registration is required. Call 914-366-3010 to register.

Thursday, October 22 – Grief: What Helps When It Hurts? While each of us grieves differently, there are things we can do to help ourselves and those around us cope with loss. Learn about the signs to be aware of that may indicate the need for a counselor, clergy or support group. Phelps Hospice is hosting this community event. The evening will include a film about the ways that grief affects us physically, emotionally and physically and a panel discussion. At Briarcliff Public Library, One Library Road, Briarcliff Manor from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Call 914-366-3325 to register.

Monday and Tuesday, October 26 and 27 - Defensive Driving A two-evening certification program that lowers insurance premiums, reduces violation points, and sharpens driving skills. Robert Fogel, instructor, 5:30 – 8:30 pm, in the Auditorium. Fee: $45. Call 914-366-3220 to register.

Tuesday, October 27 - How to Choose Hearing Aids Should you trust a “big box” retailer when purchasing a medical device? Purchasing hearing aids is an expensive and sometimes stressful endeavor, but it doesn’t have to be. Learn how an audiologist navigates the hearing aid industry to provide appropriate and comfortable amplification for her patients. Presented by Susan D. Reilly, MS, CCC-A. Coordinator of Audiology Services, from 10:00 – 11:30 am, in the Auditorium. Registration is required. Call 914-366-3010 to register.

Thursday, October 29 - Bladder Health for Women Many women suffer from pelvic conditions such as bladder leakage or prolapse. Bladder leakage often occurs during physical activity or when coughing, laughing or sneezing. Prolapse occurs when pelvic floor muscles are weakened, causing a feeling of bulging or pressure. Learn about minimally invasive solutions for these conditions that will enhance your quality of life. Presented by Sue Zhou, MD, urogynecologist, in the Boardroom at 11:00 am. Call 914-358-5552 to register.