Health Briefs For March 13
March 12, 2013 1:14PM
Updated: April 14, 2013 6:21AM
Senior Behavioral Unit: MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island has opened a Senior Behavioral Health Unit, a 14-bed in-patient unit providing services to seniors suffering from a variety of memory, mood and mental health issues. “MetroSouth Medical Center is responding to an obvious community need for more behavioral health services for the 65 and older age group,” Dr. Pradeep Thapar, medical director of the unit, said in a press release. The center offers free assessments to people 65 and older, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Information: (708) 824-4774.
Dementia Forum: St. James Manor and Villas, 1251 E. Richton Road, Crete, hosts a free Alzheimer’s and Dementia Family Forum at 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month. The March 13 forum will focus on tips and strategies for coping with caregiver stress, facts about Alzheimer’s and dementia and the aging process. Information: (708) 672-6700.
Breastfeeding Class: A certified lactation consultant will teach the basics of breastfeeding, including establishing a milk supply, breast pumps and avoiding difficulties 6:30 to 9 p.m. March 13 at Silver Cross Hospital, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Cost is $15. Information: www.silvercross.org or (888) 660-4325.
Stroke Support Group: A support group for stroke survivors and their families will meet at 4 p.m. March 13 at the Silver Cross Neuroscience Institute, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Information: (888) 660-4325 or www.silvercross.org.
Health and Wellness Expo: The Palos Hills Community Resource and Recreation Department will host its free Health and Wellness Expo 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 14 at the Palos Hills Community Activity Center, 8455 W. 103rd St. There will be health, blood pressure and dental screenings; back checks; chair massages and driver’s license renewals. Loyola mobile ultrasound tests of the heart and arteries will be available by appointment. Appointments: (855) 861-8378. Information: (708) 430-4500 or www.paloshillsweb.org.
Pulmonary Support Group: A free pulmonary support group will meet at 10 a.m. March 14 at Silver Cross Hospital, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. The group is for people with adult asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis or respiratory disease. Information: (888) 660-4325 or www.silvercross.org.
Square Striders: The Ingalls Square Striders Walkers Club will meet 8 to 10 a.m. March 15 at Orland Square Mall near Carson’s, 288 Orland Square Drive, Orland Park. A 30-minute presentation about yoga begins at 9 a.m. Information: (800) 221-2199.
Blood Pressure: Orland Township, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park, is hosting free blood pressure screenings 9 to 11 a.m. March 15, 21 and 27. Information: (708) 403-4222.
Center Steppers: The Ingalls Center Steppers Mall Walkers Club will have a free health lecture from 9 to 9:30 a.m. March 19 at River Oaks Mall near the food court, 96 River Oaks Center Drive, Calumet City. The discussion will be about arthritis and will include a demonstration of exercises to keep joints flexible, maintain muscle strength, help you sleep better, increase energy, improve overall outlook and reduce pain. Information: (800) 221-2199.
Breast Cancer Seminar: Information about reducing breast cancer risk and the technologies that detect cancer will be discussed at a free seminar at 6:30 p.m. March 19 at the Franciscan St. James Health Breast Health and Wellness Center, 3900 W. 203rd St., Olympia Fields. Information: (800) 785-2637 or franciscanstjames.org.
Bipolar Disease Support Group: Silver Cross Hospital will host a free bipolar disease support group for people and their families coping with the disease at 6:30 p.m. March 19 at Silver Cross Hospital, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Registration: (888) 660-4325 or www.silvercross.org.
Knee Pain Seminar: Join an orthopedic surgeon for a 60-minute seminar about the causes and treatment of knee pain, as well as the benefits of custom-fit knee replacement at 6 p.m. March 20 at Ingalls Family Care Center, 19550 Governors Highway, Flossmoor. Reservations: (800) 221-2199.
Grief Support for Men: Ingalls Hospice bereavement services hosts a free support group for men who have experienced the loss of a spouse or significant other at 7 p.m. March 20 at the main hospital campus, 1 Ingalls Drive, Harvey. Registration: (708) 331-1360.
Total Lipid Profile Testing: Orland Township is offering total lipid profile testing 8:30 to 11 a.m. March 21 at 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Residents can have total cholesterol levels read, as well as triglycerides, LDL and HDL cholesterol. Cost is $25 with proof of residency or $30 for non-residents. Free blood pressure and $5 glucose testing also are available. Appointments; (708) 403-4222.
Breastfeeding Support Group: Certified lactation consultants will host a free support group meeting from 10:30 a.m. to noon for English-speaking and from 12:30 to 2 p.m. for Spanish-speaking mothers March 22 at Silver Cross Hospital, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Registration: (888) 660-4325 or www.silvercross.org.
Prepared Childbirth One-Day Class: Silver Cross Hospital will offer a one-day prepared childbirth class from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 23 at Silver Cross Hospital, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Cost is $80 per couple. Information: www.silvercross.org or (888) 660-4325.
Breast Cancer Support Group: An educational program for women facing breast cancer will be 7 to 9 p.m. March 26 at the Silver Cross Center for Women’s Health library, 1870 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Registration: (888) 660-4325 or www.IMatter.silvercross.org.
Diabetes Screening: Free diabetes screenings will be offered 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 26 outside Silver Cross Hospital’s Season’s Dining Room, 1900 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Participants will be offered a diabetes risk test and blood glucose test. Information: (815) 300-5990.
Caregiver Support Group: A caregiver support group provides information about helpful resources as well as generates camaraderie during “Coffee and Talk” from 10 to 11 a.m. March 26 at Louis S. Viverito Senior Center, 7745 S. Leamington Ave., Burbank. Information: (708) 636-8850.
Bariatric Support Group: A free bariatric support group for people who have undergone weight loss surgery will be 5:30 to 9 p.m. March 27 at Silver Cross Hospital, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Registration: (888) 660-4325 or www.silvercross.org.
Wellness Wednesday: Orland Township is hosting Wellness Wednesday 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. March 27 in the Orland Township Activity Center, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Residents can have their blood pressure and blood sugar checked. A basic cholesterol screening is offered for $5 and the test requires a 9-to 12-hour fast. Hearing screenings are available with an appointment. Information: (708) 403-4222.
Blood Pressure Checks: Silver Cross offers free blood pressure checks from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily at the Silver Cross Health Center, 12701 W. 143rd St., Homer Glen. Walk-ins welcomed. Information: (708) 364-6337.
Colon Cancer Screening Kits: Silver Cross Hospital is offering free colon cancer screening kits throughout March. Information: www.silvercross.org or (888) 660-4325.
