<i>To have an item listed free in The Potomac Almanac, send mail to 10220 River Road, Suite 303, Potomac, MD 20854, e-mail to almanac@connectionnewspapers.com, or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos encouraged. Unless otherwise noted, all events are in Potomac. If you have any questions, call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6476. </i>
Residents living in and around the Bethesda community and the Potomac community can be screened to reduce their risk of having a stroke. Life Line Screening will be at Manor Care Bethesda, 6530 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda on Tuesday, Oct. 3 and at the Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road, Potomac on Friday, Oct. 27. Appointments begin at 9 a.m. Screenings are fast, painless and low cost. They scan for potential health problems related to blocked arteries, aortic aneurysms and hardening of the arteries in the legs. Also offered is a bone density screening to assess their risk for osteoporosis. Each screening requires 10 minutes or less to complete. A complete vascular screening package is $109. Sign up for a complete vascular package. Include the osteoporosis screening and pay $129. For more about the screenings or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-697-9721. Pre-registration is required.
Chronic Pain support group meets Thursday, Oct. 5, 1:30-3 p.m., Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Support group for anyone with chronic pain, their family and friends. Participants are welcome to bring pillows, mats, ice or hot packs to be comfortable. Call 301-309-2444 or see www.pain-connection.org. for information.
DRADA (Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association), Potomac Chapter, features a presentation by Kim Allen of the Office of Consumer Affairs in Behavioral Health and Services in the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m., in the Parish Hall of St. Raphael's Church, 1513 Dunster Road, Rockville. Call 301-299-4255 or 301-570-9065.
The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross reports dangerously low inventory of types O and B blood, causing the organization to issue an urgent plea to blood donors throughout the Region to schedule an immediate appointment to give the gift of life. The Red Cross is reporting an inventory level for each of these blood types which is dramatically below the desired safe level of five to seven days worth of blood. Donors are urged to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE immediately to schedule a donation appointment. Addresses and driving directions for these Donor Centers, as well as a complete list of community blood drives can be found at www.my-redcross.org or by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
Seniors and their caregivers can get diet and nutrition questions answered by a registered dietitian by calling Montgomery County's free Senior Nutrition Hotline at 240-777-1100. The new service is available Wednesday mornings from 9-11 a.m. Information is available on topics such as how to lower sodium intake, how to find reliable nutrition information on the Internet and how to choose the healthiest cooking oil. Bilingual assistance is also available.
Pain Connection has the opportunity to arrange a Yoga class especially designed for people with chronic pain. Susan Bowen, director of Thrive Yoga, will provide a trained teacher for this therapeutic class. The class will be for 15 weeks at $300 per person ($20 per class) and each class is 75 minutes long. A minimum of 10 people must commit with full payment on enrollment for the class to run. The classes will be held at Thrive Yoga, 1321-B Rockville Pike, Rockville. Props, mats, music and waterfalls will be provided. Visit www.pain-connection.org, e-mail gwenn@pain-connection.org or call 301-309-2444.
The Kidney Cars Donation Program is accepting car donations to the National Kidney Foundation. Call 202-244-7900 or 1-800-488-CARS, or visit www.kidneywdc.org.
CareFirst, Maryland’s largest health care provider, announced that it will be passing along the 2 percent HMO tax to its policy holders. The HMO tax is a result of a special session called by Gov. Ehrlich to address the crisis in medical malpractice. The Democratic-lead House and Senate passed the new tax through a series of bills. Gov. Ehrlich vetoed the tax but his veto was overridden by leading Democrats, who hold majorities in both the state House and Senate.
AARP Widowed Persons Service offers support groups for those widowed less than two years. Meetings are held Monday-Friday. All widowed persons are invited to attend education meetings; travel and other AARP-sponsored activities available. Call 301-949-7398.
Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support groups are facilitated by trained group leaders. The meetings are ongoing, free and open to the community. Families meet with other caregivers to share experiences and caregiving tips while developing coping skills. Call 1-866-259-0042 for meeting schedules and locations.
Support meetings and seminars take place at Suburban Hospital, 8600 Old Georgetown Road, in Bethesda. Call 301-896-3939 to register for all group meetings and for a complete listing of events.
* Gynecological Cancer. Group meets the first and third Mondays of the month from 4-5:30 p.m. in Conference Room 4. Group is designed for patients and survivors of cancer.
* Breast Cancer. Group meets the second Monday of the month from 7-8:30 p.m. in Conference Rooms 6 and 7. Group is designed for patients, survivors and family members. Guest speakers alternate with informal discussion.
* Caregivers. Group meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1-2:30 p.m. in the Auxiliary House in Bethesda. Practical and emotional support for anyone serving as a caregiver.
* Multiple Sclerosis Caregivers. Group meets the first Thursday of the month from 6:30-9 p.m. in Conference Room 4.
* Eating Disorders. Group meets the second Wednesday of the month from 7-8 p.m. in Conference Room 4.
* Head Injury/Trauma. Group meets the first and third Thursdays of the month from 7-8 p.m. in Conference Rooms 1, 2 and 3. For individuals recovering from head injuries, and their families.
* Prostate Cancer. Group meets the third Monday of the month from 7-8:30 p.m. in Conference Rooms 6 and 7. Support for patients, family and friends. Guest speakers and informal discussion on alternate days.
"Because I Love You" (B.I.L.Y.) is dedicated to supporting parents of adolescent and adult children with challenging, destructive or difficult behaviors. The group meets every Thursday, from 7:30-9:30 p.m., at the Bethesda United Methodist Church, Room 209, 8300 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda. There is a $1 donation. Call Harriet at 301-530-3597.
The National Capital Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society needs volunteers for its Friendly Visitors Program. Visitors dedicate a minimum of one hour per month to visiting a nursing home resident with multiple sclerosis. Contact Alayne Bell at 202-296-9891 or via e-mail at ABell@MSandYOU.org. Visit the Chapter's Web site at www.MSandYOU.org.
Stroke and traumatic brain injury survivors, as well as victims of degenerative neurological conditions, can now use new TWIST to speech therapy. Technology with Innovative Speech Therapy (TWIST) is among the first speech-language therapy programs to integrate computers and technology into an intensive rehabilitation program. TWIST features eighteen hours of intensive individualized speech therapy that specifically defines a patient's communication and cognitive strengths and weaknesses. It then matches those strengths and weaknesses with advanced computer software. TWIST gives people the opportunity to tackle their challenges head-on through technology. Visit www.innovativespeech.com or call 301-602-2899 for more.
Seminars, support groups and classes through Adventist Health Care take place at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, 9901 Medical Center Drive in Rockville, unless noted otherwise. To register and for a complete listing of available classes, call 1-800-542-5096.
* How to Communicate with Doctors. Barbara Blaylock, M.D. is the speaker on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. $30.
* Learn to Manage Anger. Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. $20.
* Infant Safety and CPR Class. Thursday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. $35/person or $50/couple. Advanced registration required.
* Discovering Motherhood. For new moms and their babies on Friday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. $70.
* Alcoholics Anonymous/Al-Anon. These groups meet every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Call 202-966-9115.
* Narcotics Anonymous. This group meets every Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Call 1-800-543-4670.
* Sickle Cell Anemia Support Group. For individuals with sickle cell anemia, their families and friends. Call 301-972-2442.
* Healthy Hearts. Cardiac support program is designed to provide inspiration, motivation and education to patients and caregivers following a heart attack or stroke. Group meets on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Call 301-253-1502.
* Hepatitis Support Group. A group for people suffering from chronic hepatitis. For information, call 301-216-1367.
* Heart-to-Heart, a support group for people with heart disease and their spouses, meets on the third Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m., at the Adventist Cardiac Rehab Center, 9715 Medical Center Drive, Room 130, Rockville.
* Amputee Support Group, "Ability with Mobility," meets the last Thursday of every month from 6-8 p.m. Call 240-864-6200.
Maryland Families for Stem Cell Research, a nonprofit education and advocacy group for stem cell research, invites citizens to share their stories of hope for a cure or treatment to debilitating diseases and injuries. By visiting www.marylandcures.org, you can tell your story, send a photo and voice your support of public funding for stem cell research. Web site visitors can also donate on-line to support the education and advocacy programs of the organization. The site also serves as a source of information about stem cell advocacy efforts in Maryland for patients, families, researchers, doctors, scientists and public officials.
Bethesda Help, a 35-year-old, ecumenical, nonsectarian organization, seeks volunteers for one day’s service per month. Officers of the day work from home handling cases provided through an answering service, and drivers take qualified (elderly or disabled) persons to doctor’s appointments and deliver groceries to clients' homes. Training and backup are provided. Call 301-294-4888.
Volunteer Opportunities at the National Institutes of Health:
Donate Blood. The NIH Blood Bank is in urgent need of donors with Type O blood. Donations are given at the Clinical Center, Building 10, on the NIH main campus in Bethesda. Hours are Tuesday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Call 301-469-1048 for an appointment to donate.
Volunteer opportunities exist in the county addressing a wide range of health issues.
* Sexual Assault Victims. Montgomery County seeks residents interested in helping sexual assault victims and their families. Volunteers provide 24-hour crisis counseling and companion services at hospitals and police stations. Call 240-777-1355.
* Hospice Caring Inc. seeks volunteers to offer non-medical support to families facing terminal illness. The job involves providing companionship and respite care, assistance with household errands and tasks, and transportation. Call 240-777-2600.
* Montgomery County Hot Line. The Mental Health Association is recruiting volunteers for the Montgomery County Hot Line, a 24-hour telephone-support, suicide-prevention and crisis-intervention service. Volunteers are asked for a minimum of four hours a week for at least one year after training. Call 301-424-0656, ext. 117, to request an application.
* American Cancer Society. The Road to Recovery Program is recruiting and training drivers from Montgomery County. Donate a few weekday hours to transport patients to chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments. Must have own vehicle.
* Licensed estheticians and cosmetologists are needed to teach female cancer patients beauty techniques to restore patients' appearances and self-image. Call 301-933-9350.
In recognition of Home Safety Month, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Aging and Disability Services is offering county residents free reminder cards with information on how to prevent falls in their homes. The "12 Ways to Prevent Falls" provides tips on how to decrease hazards in the home. In addition, this easy-to-post card provides ideas on how to lessen other risks for falling. To request a free "12 Ways to Prevent Falls," call the Department of Health and Human Services, Aging and Disability Services at 240-777-3000; TTY 240-777-4575.
The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac (GC & P) Region asks all eligible whole blood donors to "Be the One We Count On" by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule a donation appointment right away. Blood supply levels are at a critical low. The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Region of the American Red Cross is offering all blood program participants an exclusive "Be the One We Count On" t-shirt, as well as a chance to win $100 worth of free gas in a weekly drawing. Information about Regional Blood Donor Centers or community blood drive locations and times can be found at www.my-redcross.org.
The Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) offers support groups for families dealing with a variety of health issues. Meetings are held at the Jewish Social Service Agency, 6123 Montrose Road in Rockville unless noted. Call Martha Mervis at 301-990-6880, ext. 316.
* Caring for Others. JSSA, ARC of Montgomery County and the Montgomery County Aging and Disabilities Services co-sponsor free monthly seminars for family members caring for children or adults with disabilities.
* Support Group for Bereaved Parents is an ongoing group for parents grieving the death of a young or adult child. It convenes on the second Monday of the month, from 7:30-9 p.m. Call Suzanne Adelman at 301-816-2683.
* You and Your Aging Parents. Adult children with aging parents discuss issues including communicating about sensitive issues, family responsibilities and the need for time to themselves. Meets monthly at 7:30-9 p.m. Cost is $15 a session. Call Beth Huss at 301-816-2634.
* Support group for newly widowed spouses. Ongoing group for those bereaved within the past 3-12 months. Group meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 9:30-11 a.m. Call 301-816-2683 or 301-816-2658 to register and for more information. Free.
Girl Talk: Middle School Group. In this group, girls will have the chance to discuss difficulties, academic pressures, family, self-esteem and decision-making. Wednesdays at 5 p.m., 6123 Montrose Road, Rockville. Call 301-263-2633 to register.
* Strong Girls, Smart Women. High school girls will learn to strengthen the critical competencies and skills needed to successfully master the transition to young adulthood. Topics include self-esteem, body image and depression. Tuesdays at 6 p.m., 6123 Montrose Road, Rockville. Call 301-816-2633 to register.
* Guy Talk. In this therapy group, boys ages 14-16 will discuss such topics as self-esteem, peer pressure, family dynamics and handling emotions. Thursdays at 6 p.m., 11B Firstfield Road, Gaithersburg. Call 301-816-2633 to register.
* Dr. Dan G. Shapiro’s Raising Your Challenging Child: A Parent Training Program. This unique program is designed to help parents understand the source of their child’s challenging behavior and what to do about it. Parents are provided proactive strategies for raising pre-school through elementary school-age children with temperaments and developmental differences. Wednesdays from 7-8:30 p.m., 6123 Montrose Road, Rockville. Call 301-816-2633 to register.
* Future Planning For Family Members of Individuals With Disabilities: Services In The Jewish Community. Families will learn all about services to support independence and well being for adults with disabilities; supported housing, social and psychological services, recreational opportunities, and vocational services from a variety of Jewish area agencies. Monthly evening sessions, Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., 6123 Montrose Road, Rockville. Call 301-816-2633 to register. Free of Charge.
* Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Monthly daytime sessions. Call 301-816-2633 for date of upcoming session. Located at 6123 Montrose Rd., Rockville.
The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross seeks volunteers to assist its blood collections staff at blood drives and blood donor centers. This position is offered to people who are 14 years of age or older. Specific responsibilities include greeting donors and providing them with essential reading materials, serving refreshments, and observing donors for post-donation reactions to giving blood. Training is provided. A commitment of two or more blood operations each month is requested. Blood drives last 4.5-6 hours and are held daily throughout the Potomac area. Locations and training are held all over Montgomery County. To register for training, call the American Red Cross Volunteer Office at 1-800-272-0094 ext 1, or e-mail karlofft@usa.redcross.org.