Health notes are for support groups, exercise classes, blood drives and similar events open to the public at no or minimal cost. Send information to mclean @connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-917-6449. Deadline is Friday.
On Sunday, May 4, the Ostomy Support Group of Northern Virginia, LLC meets, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Physicians' Conference Center, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Fairfax for the annual Ostomy Products Fair, featuring representatives from Hollister, ConvaTec, Coloplast, an ostomy nurse and others. Membership not required for those wishing to attend. Park in Blue garage. For more, call 703-802-3457 or visit www.ostomysupportofnova.org.
Supermarket tour at Vienna’s Giant Food store will be given Wednesday, May 7, 1- 3:30 p.m. Registered dietitian Denise Feil will help develop a personalized nutrition plan and teach how to read food labels and analyze ingredients to determine which products are the best for dietary needs. $40 for town residents. For information, call 703-255-6360.
Resting metabolic rate testing will be offered at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE, Wednesday, May 7, noon-1 p.m. A registered dietician will determine daily caloric needs to help achieve weight loss goals. Participants will be scheduled at 20-minute intervals. $50 for town residents. For information, call 703-255-6360.
Caregiver Seminar: Hands on Care. Learn how to prevent and recognize skin breakdown and how to safely help your loved one with their daily activities. Presented by Sandy Harris, RN, BSN, Inova and Patricia Winter MS PT. 7-9 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at the Oakton library, 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton. Call 703-242-4020. Cosponsored by the Fairfax Caregiver Seminar Consortium. Adults. No registration is required.
Living with Epilepsy Support Group (for parents of children with seizure disorders) meets the second Sunday of each month, 12:30-1:30 p.m. at McLean Bible Church, Lower Level, Room 1410, 8925 Leesburg Pike, Vienna. Free. For additional information contact call 703-569-1855. Next meeting May 11.
Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group, a support group for teens and adults meets every Wednesday 7-8 p.m. at Falls Church High School, Entrance 1, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church. Free. Sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia, for additional information, call Dana at 703-425-6660.
Balance and Beyond. Persons with Parkinson’s Disease who can walk unassisted are invited to join a balance class that meets weekly on Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m., at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E. The classes are sanctioned by the Parkinson Foundation for the National Capital Area (PFNCA) and are led by a certified instructor of the American Senior Fitness Association. Call Cheryl Bartholomew at 703-281-1560. To register, call 703-255-6360 and specify the “Balance and Beyond” class.
The Parkinson's Foundation offers weekly support groups (previously located at the Providence Recreation Center) for patients and caregivers. They meet every Tuesday at 10 and 11 a.m., at the Lewinsville Senior Center, 1609 Great Falls St., McLean. Call 703-891-0821 if interested in joining or for more information.
Vienna Weight Watchers. Meetings at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., S.E., Vienna are every Tuesday from noon-1:15 p.m. Cost is $150 for 12 weekly luncheon sessions, payable in advance. To register call 703-255-6350.
Vienna Community Center has open gym for ages 17 and under, 3:30-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call ahead to check on availability.
Heart and Sole. Persons with Parkinson’s Disease are invited to join an exercise class that meets weekly on Fridays or Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m., at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E., Vienna. The classes are sanctioned by the Parkinson Foundation for the National Capital Area (PFNCA) and are led by a certified instructor of the American Senior Fitness Association. Care partners and family members are welcome to come and assist the PD patient. For session dates, fees and information, call Cheryl Bartholomew at 703-281-1560. To register, call 703-255-6360 and specify the “Heart and Sole” class.
Body and Soul fitness classes recently began. Contact instructor for more information on individual classes; visit www.bodyandsoul.org for more classes. New students receive 15 percent discount.
At McLean Bible Church, 8925 Leesburg Pike, McLean, on Mondays and Fridays, 9:45-11:15 a.m., free childcare, call Mary Ward at 703-754-3722.
At McLean Presbyterian Church, 1020 Balls Hill Road, McLean on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30-1:15 p.m., strength training only, call Dana Elsnick at 703-847-9814.
At Epiphany United Methodist Church, 1014 Country Club Drive, NE, Vienna on Mondays, 9:15-10:15 a.m. active for life/low impact, call Lynn Mosteller at 703-698-8624.
At Grace Presbyterian Church, 2381 Cedar Lane, Vienna, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:45-11 a.m. call Lynne Brents at 703-242-8826.
At Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2589 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna, on Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:15-10:30 a.m. active for life/low impact, call Lynn Mosteller at 703-698-8624.
Support meetings for parents of children with AD/HD are held every first Wednesday of the month at 7:15 p.m. at the offices of Annette Spector, 6845 Elm St., Ste. 710, McLean. E-mail Aspector@DER-online.com, call 703-641-5451 or visit www.novachadd.org. Free.
The Alzheimer's Association of the National Capital Area is starting a new caregiver support group that will meet on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at The Sylvestery, 1728 Kirby Road in McLean. The Sylvestery is Vinson Hall Retirement Community's new assisted living residence for the care of people with memory impairments. Barbara Adams, M.S.W., will be the support group leader.
Multiple sclerosis support group. For anyone with multiple sclerosis and/or their friends and family. 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month at Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park St., N.E. Sponsored by the National Capital Chapter of the MS Society. Call 703-768-4841.
Northern Virginia Stuttering Support Group, a support group for people who stutter meets the third Tuesday of the month at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, at 7:30 p.m. Call 703-319-8382 or e-mail virginia.nsa@earthlink.net.
Parkinson's Disease Caregivers/Carepartners Support Group meets third Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m., at Dolley Madison Library, lower level meeting room, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes caregivers and family members. Call Angela Robb, 703-277-9666.
Parkinson’s Disease Carepartners Support Group meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month, at Dolley Madison Library, lower level meeting room, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean. The Parkinson Foundation welcomes carepartners and family members. Call Angela Robb at 703-277-9666.
The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross is seeking volunteers to assist its blood collections staff at blood drives and blood donor centers. The volunteers will assist with providing a high level of customer service to donors, and with caring for donors in the refreshment area after the donation process. 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. 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.
Great Falls Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 9220 Georgetown Pike. The Parkinson Foundation welcomes PD patients and family members. They are dedicated to mutual self-help and the enhancement of coping skills for those with Parkinson’s Disease. There is no fee. Call Glenn Lawrence at 703-406-2732.
Peer support group for survivors of clergy abuse and others affected by the abuse, on the last Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m., in the downstairs meeting room at the Dolley Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Road, McLean. Meetings are sponsored by Voice of the Faithful-Northern Virginia affiliate. Contact Ellen Radday at 703-538-6128.