Health Notes

NAMI can help with service applications

Do you need help applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), SNAP (formerly food stamps) or Medicaid coverage? Make an appointment with the NAMI Citrus peer services support volunteer, Melissa, for an upcoming Thursday. You may email her at mdeszcz@namicitrus.org or call her at 813-602-1660 to schedule.

Appointments will be held at the NAMI office located at Friends of Citrus and the Nature Coast, 8471 W. Periwinkle, Homosassa.

Learn more about dementia at seminar

Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church's Women of Hope will host a seminar from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 12, with Debbie Selsavage of Coping with Dementia LLC.

She will define and discuss Alzheimer's and dementia to help people better understand those living with forms of dementia, as well as present some of the resources available to caregivers and loved ones.

Selsavage is a certified dementia practitioner and consultant. Her company's mission is to make life better for individuals and families living with dementia. She pursues this mission through knowledge, training, education and an unwavering belief in the effectiveness of person-centered compassionate care, focusing more on the person than on the disease.

All Hope congregation members, friends, relatives and the community are invited to attend. Hope Church is at 9425 N. Citrus Springs Blvd. and the office phone is 352-489-5511.

Knights of Columbus plan blood drive

Knights of Columbus Council 6168 of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church will have its next blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the council hall.

Traditionally, they schedule the third Saturday of every other month to provide the required 56-day spacing for repeat donors. However, this would be Saturday, April 19, Easter or Holy Saturday. Fortunately, the calendar is such that the drive can be moved out one week and still satisfy the donor timing requirements for the following drive.

All donors are welcome and appreciated.

DOH to host breastfeeding event

The Florida Department of Health in Citrus County (DOH-Citrus) invites mothers with babies to attend the Breastfeeding in the Depot event from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, April 4, at The Depot at Liberty Park, 300 N. Apopka Ave., Inverness.

This event provides support to breastfeeding mothers and families, highlighting the importance of breastfeeding to both the mother's and baby's health. Mothers will be able to learn about family-geared programs DOH-Citrus provides, such as WIC, Healthy Start, car seat checks and more. Other community partners will also be in attendance to discuss their services and resources.

Free swag bags will be provided to those that attend. For more information, call 352-513-6060.

DOH-Citrus to hosts Community Health Fair

The Florida Department of Health in Citrus County (DOH-Citrus) invites Citrus County residents of all ages to attend the fourth annual Community Health Fair on Saturday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to noon at Central Ridge Community Center, 77 Civic Circle, Beverly Hills.

No-cost health screenings, including blood pressure, hemoglobin checks, glucose, and A1C checks will be provided. DOH-Citrus staff and other community organizations will also provide nutrition education, car seat information, breastfeeding information, as well as information on creating a safe sleep environment for babies. There will also be giveaways and raffles.

For more information, contact Kathryn DeFranco at 352-513-6083.

2025 ABC of Dementia workshops

ABC of Dementia workshops have been scheduled for around the county for 2025. All workshops are from 10 a.m. to noon and will be held at the following locations on the dates listed below.

July 23 and Dec. 15, Central Ridge Library, 425 W. Roosevelt Blvd. Beverly Hills

Aug. 18, Coastal Region Library, 8619 W. Crystal St., Crystal River

June 16 and Nov. 17, Floral City Library, 8360 E. Orange Ave., Floral City

April 21 and Sept. 15, Homosassa Library, 4100 S. Grandmarch Ave., Homosassa

May 19 and Oct. 20, Lakes Region Library, 1511 Druid Road, Inverness

The workshops, to be conducted by Debbie Selsavage, president of Coping With Dementia LLC, will define Alzheimer's and dementia, explain how dementia affects individuals, discuss ways to interpret dementia behaviors for better communication, and show how compassion and the proper use of voice, approach, and appropriate touch can result in more effective and less stressful caregiving.

The workshops are free, open to the public, and people living with dementia are also welcome. Registration is requested because of limited space. To make reservations, call 352-422-3663, or email deb@coping.today.

YMCA offers Art From The Heart

Thanks to funding from Dementia Education Inc., Art from the Heart, a program for families and their loved ones living with dementia, has expanded to the Crystal River location of the YMCA, located at 405 SE Seventh Ave., Crystal River.

Art from the Heart, which utilizes art and music as social and therapeutic activity for individuals with dementia and their care partners. For those living with memory issues, music and art have the power to both stimulate and soothe. For those who are caregivers, an afternoon with others who understand lifts the spirit.

Sessions are at:

Citrus Memorial Health Foundation YMCA, 4127 W. Norvell Bryant Highway, Lecanto on the fourth Thursday of each month.

Crystal River YMCA at SE Seventh Ave.,on the second Saturday of each month.

Both sessions are available from 1-3 p.m.

This program is open to the community – you do not have to be a YMCA member to participate. This program is free to all participants.

For more information or to register call 352-500-9622 or visit the Welcome Desk at the Lecanto Campus.

HPH Hospice seeks community help

HPH Hospice in Lecanto, a Chapters Health affiliate, needs your help. Are you compassionate and caring? There are caregivers who could use the help of someone like you. No one should be alone, and you could help by simply being there. Many opportunities are waiting for you.

There are greeter positions open at the hospice house on the weekends, or you could share your time as a volunteer with a patient at home, an assisted living or skilled nursing facility. Patient volunteers do not provide personal care, only companionship, and will always be in a safe environment. Another opportunity that may interest you is phone support, calling caregivers to check in on them

Currently there is a need for patient facing volunteers in the Inverness and Floral City area, with a focus on male volunteers. At least a year's commitment is requested, providing six hours per month, and computer access. Volunteers must attend orientation, followed by background checks and fingerprinting. Once cleared, a two-step TB test will be scheduled. HPH Hospice covers the cost for all three.

If you are interested, or for more information call 352-359-8373 or email lucass@chaptershealth.org.

Qigong, yoga classes offered Wednesdays

Nature Coast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is offering two ongoing and open to the public classes, Qigong-Mindful Movement at 3 p.m. and Gentle Yoga-Meditation in Motion, beginning at 3:45 p.m. Wednesdays at 7633 N. Florida Ave., Citrus Springs.

Qigong is similar to a moving meditation. This ancient practice consists of gentle movement patterns, breath awareness, and a focused mindset designed to enhance balance and vitality. Class is from 3- 3:40 p.m.

Gentle Yoga improves flexibility and deepens inner connections. Experience yoga as meditation in motion as you learn basic yoga poses in a relaxed state of ease. If you are participating in the yoga class, bring a mat. Gentle Yoga is from 3:45- 4:15 p.m.

The teacher, Alicia Martinez, is a Qigong associate instructor as well as certified yoga instructor for adults and children.

All are welcome and no experience is required; instructor will provide modifications if needed.

There is a suggested donation of $5 for each class.

Adults can take part in statin study

More than 7,000 older adults over the age of 75 have volunteered to take part in the PREVENTABLE study to help doctors better understand how people can stay healthier long.

The goal of the study is to find out if a commonly used heart medication, a statin, can help older adults live well longer by preventing dementia, disability or heart disease.

Those older than 75 who have not had a heart attack or stroke may be able to take part in the study. Learn more by calling 833-385-3899 or visit www.preventable community.org.

DOH-Citrus encourages Floridians to donate blood

This week, OneBlood, an Orlando-based blood center, experienced a cyberattack that has brought some of their systems offline. During this time, the Florida Department of Health in Citrus County (DOH-Citrus) encourages Floridians to consider donating blood to alternative blood centers to help boost Florida's blood supply. Donating blood saves lives.

Florida is partnering with LifeSouth, SunCoast and other local blood centers to receive blood donations and help distribute them appropriately across the state. Locations for these community-based blood centers can be found at FloridaDonates.com.

DOH-Citrus encourages residents and visitors to make an appointment with alternative providers to support the blood supply for Florida's hospitals and fellow Floridians.

Volunteers needed at HCA Florida Citrus Hospital

HCA Florida Citrus Hospital is seeking dedicated volunteers to assist in various positions throughout the Inverness hospital campus. From shuttle drivers to discharge lounge and wayfinding concierge personnel, there are opportunities for individuals to contribute to the smooth operation of the hospital and enhance patient experiences.

Shuttle drivers: reliable individuals with a valid driver's license to operate shuttle services ensure patients and visitors are transported safely and efficiently between hospital buildings and parking areas.

Discharge lounge concierges: friendly and welcoming volunteers in this role provide assistance and support to patients preparing to leave the hospital.

Wayfinding concierges: volunteers in this role help guide patients and visitors throughout the hospital, ensuring they reach their destinations promptly and with ease.

Volunteering at HCA Florida Citrus Hospital offers a rewarding opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of patients and their families. For more information or to apply, contact Tequila Fields at Tequila.Fields@HCAhealthcare.com or visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com to apply online.

Free firearm safety books still available

"Dementia and Firearm Safety," which retails for $9.95, is still available to Citrus County residents free of charge.

Free books can be obtained at the following firearm dealerships: Back Acre Gun Works, 1621 N. Croft Ave., Inverness – 352-344-9663. Chucks Guns, 4027 N. Lecanto Highway, Beverly Hills – 352-270-8362. Crystal River Cerakote and Arms, 6383 W. Conestoga Drive, Beverly Hills – 352-244-8738. Gold Diggers and Gun Slingers, 2416 State Road 44 W., Inverness – 352-341-4867. HNR Gunworks, 3238 S. Florida Ave. Inverness – 352-503-6285. Mallard's Gun Store, 7928 W. Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal River – 352-794-3507. Patriot Sporting Goods, 760 W. Hampshire Blvd., Citrus Springs – 352-527-1205. RPJ Guns LLC, 5392 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa – 352-419-4204. Wyoming Guns, 5987 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, 352-628-2266.

Books are also available at all Coping with Dementia LLC workshops and educational events (call 352-422-3663) and from National Rifle Association recruiter Rick Wehrheim (call 352-503-6931).

Free dementia workshop available for vets

Coping with Dementia has announced that its ABC of Dementia workshop is available to any nonprofit club or organization that serves U.S. military veterans.

The ABC of Dementia workshop is a two-hour educational event that explains the various causes of dementia, tells families how to get a diagnosis and what to expect after a diagnosis, describes better ways to serve and communicate with a person living with dementia, and ends with a role-play demonstrating the techniques of person-centered compassionate care.

For information or to schedule a workshop, call 352-422-3663 or email deb@coping.today.