Published: March 27, 2008 10:00 am         

Well-Being In Brief: 03/27/2008

New Alzheimer's support group

Traverse City -- The Alzheimer's Association is starting a new support group for family, caregivers and anyone whose lives are touched by Alzheimer's, dementia and other memory loss issues. The group will be meeting at 2 p.m. today at Bay Ridge Assisted Living, 3825 Scenic Ridge. Respite care will be available. Meetings will be held the fourth Thursday of every month. Call 995-9385.

Dementia caregiver conference offered

Traverse City-- Catholic Human Services will offer the Dementia Caregiver Education Program "Non-Pharmacological Approaches to Dementia Care" presented by Dr. Cameron Camp. The conference is scheduled from 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. April 23 at the Great Wolf Lodge.

Dr. Camp is a psychologist as well as director and senior research scientist at the Myers Research Institute in Beachwood, Ohio.

He will address the design and interventions to alleviate problem behaviors and increase the level of functioning of persons with dementia.

Fee for general audience and AFC providers is $30 and $60 for nurses and social workers, activity directors or nursing home administrators requesting continuing education hours. The non-refundable fee includes lunch and materials.

Deadline for pre-registration is April 16. Call Tina Schichtel at Catholic Human Services, 929-7070.

Child Abuse Coalition activities

Traverse City-- The Tri-County Coalition for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect will present several events during April in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Turn the Light on For Prevention on April 6 will ask citizens to turn on their porch lights and car headlights to show support for Child Abuse Prevention efforts.

The Day of the Young Child on April 26 will be a day of planned activities for children starting at 10 a.m. at the City Opera House. The event is being held in conjunction with the Women's Resource Center.

The Blue Sunday Campaign on April 27 will ask churches to take a few moments of their Sunday service to pray for the area's children and families.

A Candlelight Vigil will be held at 6:30 p.m. April 27 on the lawn of the Grand Traverse County Courthouse on Boardman Ave. Call Linda Wood, 929-4166 or 342-4641.

CPR classes for family and friends

Traverse City -- Munson Regional EMS Education is offering its Family and Friends CPR class on either April 8 or Thursday, April 17, at 3664 US-31 S. Both classes are from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

This course is intended for family members, friends and members of the general community who want to learn CPR but do not need a course completion card. During the annual American Hospital Association promotion, the class is being offered for $5. To register, call 935-7841.

Info, activities for diabetics available

Traverse City-- Free Nordic Walking clinics will be part of the Diabetes Open House from 1 to 3 p.m. April 9 at Bayview Wesleyan Church, 720 Wayne St.

The event will feature exhibits of the latest diabetes products, educational materials and up-to-date information to help with blood sugar control.

Pete Edwards, owner of The American Nordic Walking System and skiwalking.com Nordic Walking Poles, will host the walking clinics and offer tips on ways to safely increase fitness activities for those with health conditions.

Teams forming for 20th MS Walk

Traverse City -- The 2008 Christopher & Banks Walk MS, will take place at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center Howe Arena at 9 a.m. on June 26. Teams currently are forming with proceeds going toward a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. For details, call (248) 351-2190 ext. 210.

Grief services starting at OMH

Gaylord-- Women and families coping with a loss during pregnancy or the first year of child's life, can receive help through Otsego Memorial Hospital's Perinatal Bereavement Services. Trained counselors are available to meet with women and families at their convenience. Call Gayle Smith, (989) 731-2112 or leave a message at (989) 731-2353.

Munson Hospice also is offering a new bereavement support group from 5 to 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday in the OMH Professional Medical Building Conference Room. The group is open to anyone affected by the loss of a loved one. Call (989) 731-2193.

New techniques aid ADHD patients

Traverse City-- New home-based computer techniques have been developed to help improve the function of working memory and control the symptoms of ADHD in children. Dr. Sander Weckstein, a psychiatrist who specializes in care for children and adolescents, will present a program that explains working memory and ADHD from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on April 8 at Munson Medical Center's Conference Center, 1105 Sixth St. The program is free and open to the public, registration is requested. Call 935-9265.

Logos sought for Father Fred event

Traverse City-- The Northern Chapter Harley Owners' Group will sponsor its 16th annual 2008 HOG Ride For Father Fred benefit July 19-20. Currently a logo contest is underway for this year's event. The following criteria must be met for each entry: year of the event; a reference to Father Fred and to the northern chapter; and motorcycle theme.

The entry should not exceed three colors and the size must be adaptable for T-shirts and pins. Deadline is April 15. Call 499-4352.

Searching for help for disabled

Southfield -- The 2008 da Vinci Awards search committee is accepting nominations for pioneering inventions or research, developed by corporations or individuals, that enable people with disabilities to participate and contribute to all aspects of society. The da Vinci Awards benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter and will take place Sept. 20 in Dearborn.

Nomination forms are available online at www.davinciawards.org. Submissions are due by May 19, 2008.

For additional information contact the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter, (248) 351-2190.