March 2009 Health News and Events
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT MIDSTATE MEDICAL CENTER
Submitted by Diamond Belejack
Make a New Year’s Resolution that will make a difference in someone’s life as well as your own! If you have a few hours a week to spare, MidState Medical Center has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for you.

The Volunteer Department at Midstate is looking to increase volunteer staffing in our high-volume, high-traffic Emergency Department, both in the clinical and non-clinical areas. These volunteers provide customer service to all visitors and patients in Emergency Services, which is currently undergoing a massive expansion, by providing friendly visits and act as liaisons, ensuring that all individuals are comfortable and kept well-informed during their stay.
Volunteers also provide support to various clinical areas of the medical center including Digestive Health Center, Wound Care Center, and Surgicenter. Friendly Visitors for in-patients are always needed as well as library volunteers in the Tremaine Resource Center. If you enjoy customer service in the retail setting, our beautiful Auxiliary Gift Gallery is the perfect place for you!
If you are ready for a positive and rewarding experience, please call Diamond Belejack, Manager of Volunteer Services at 694-8572 or e-mail dbeleja@midstatemedical.org for more information.
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Meriden Health Department - Keeping You Healthy in March
Women’s Total Cholesterol Screening
Free total cholesterol screenings are available to women who live in Meriden. Screenings will be held on March 10, from 9:30-11:30am, and March 26 from 1:30-3:30pm. All screenings are held at the Meriden Health Department, 165 Miller Street.
Normal total cholesterol levels are under 200. If your total screening comes back over 200, we will recommend that you see your doctor for a follow-up test, which will tell you how much “good” and “bad” cholesterol is in your body. The Community Health Educator will contact you by phone approximately 1 week to 10 days after your total screening to see what measures you took or are going to take to lower your cholesterol.
Appointments for the screening are required, and are first come, first serve. Call 630-4234 to make your appointment. One screening per person, please. Screenings are funded by a women’s healthy heart grant through the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

10,000 Steps to Better Health presentation
On March 25, 2009, a presentation on walking 10,000 steps for better health will be held from 6:00-7:00pm at the Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller Street. Learn how walking can improve your health and receive a free pedometer and walking log to help you start your walking routine. This presentation will kick off the spring 2009 session of the Meriden Movers community walking program. Healthy snacks will be served. Call 630-4238 for more information.
Let’s Get Moving! Meriden Movers Community Walking Program
The Meriden Health Department will be restarting the Meriden Movers community walking program the week of March 30, 2009. Group walks will be held on Tuesdays starting at 5:30pm at the Quinnipiac River Linear walking trail in South Meriden. People of all ages and fitness levels are welcome, and a free pedometer and walking log will be given out at the first 2 walks (March 31 and April 7). Attend 5 walks and get a free t-shirt while supplies last! Call Lea at 630-4238 for more information.
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SWIMMING- for your health!
Here’s an activity that will last a lifetime! Learning to swim is not only fun, but it decreases the risks of drowning while participating in water sports. It can lead to a healthier lifestyle and the opportunity to swim laps for fitness or competition. Joining a water exercise class is also more fun when you know how to swim.

We have a variety of water exercise classes here at the Wallingford YMCA. Water exercise is less stressful on your joints, and is a great way to get back into the routine of exercising. Your fellow water exercisers become an extra support group for what ever your goals are. Some classes are set to music, while others stress the cardio or flexibility aspects of fitness.
Members of the Wallingford Family YMCA may attend any of the water exercise classes for free as part of their membership. There are also other options available. You can try a class by purchasing a one day guest pass. Or you can register for one 7 week session of classes, either 1, 2, or 3 times a week for $55, $85 or $100. You may also use the Health and Wellness Fitness class punch card to attend water fitness classes.
Interested in more information? Contact Pam VanderWeele, Aquatic Director at 203 269 4497 x 20 or pvanderweele@wallingfordymca.org
To read The People’s Press – Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s community newspaper in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/
Join Us for Coffee & Conversation
The Center for Successful Aging and MidState’s LaPlanche Clinic will be jointly sponsoring a program called “Getting Hands on with Integrative Therapies” on March 23, 2009. The program will be held from 1:00-2:00 at the Meriden Senior Center, 22 West Main Street.
Don’t just learn about integrative therapies – experience them first hand! This informative and interactive program will delve into the world of integrative medicine and will cover chair yoga, music and art therapy, and guided imagery. Kathy Clement, RN-ONC, from MidState Medical Center will be the presenter.
This program is the first of a monthly coffee and conversation series that will be held at the Senior Center. Programs are free and open to the public, and of course, coffee and refreshments will be served. Please call Rita Kowalchik at 630-4222 for more information.

AMERICAN RED CROSS LIFEGUARD CLASS
will be held at the Wallingford Family YMCA. Class will meet Mon, Wed, and Friday from 5-9PM March 30-April 10. Final exam will be on Sat. April 11. Must be 15 years of age and able to swim 300 yards continuously. Must attend all classes. Course includes First Aid, CPR, AED and O2 administration. Call for more information and to register 203 269 4497
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"Getting Hands-On with Integrative Therapies"
March 23, 2009 1 p.m.Presented by Kathy Clements, RN-ONC, of MidState Medical CenterDon't just learn about integrative therapies. Experience them first hand! This informative and interactive program will delve into the world of integrative medicine and cover the following topics:~Chair yoga...participate in a demonstration~Music therapy... receive a free meditative CD~Guided imagery...learn how you can do it~Art therapy...try a project and take it homeTo register for this program, call 203-237-0300.
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Caregivers Invited!
Are you caring for a chronically ill or disabled loved one? Would you like resource information on what is available to help? Could you use some time to care for yourself?
Join with others to obtain information and support.
The Caregivers Group, which is for Wallingford residents, is sponsored by the Visiting Nurse Association of Wallingford, Inc. It is a free service facilitated by a licensed clinical social worker. We meet twice a month on Tuesday mornings at the VNA, located at 135 North Plains Industrial Road, Wallingford. Refreshments are provided.
For information and to reserve your spot, please call Irene O’Brien at 269-1475. We welcome your call!
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ALLOW ME TO AGE WITH GRACE AND DIGNITY
PLEASE DON’T BE IMPATIENT WITH ME WHEN: I repeat myselfBUT REMEMBER WHEN: Your favorite word was “why?”
PLEASE DON’T BE IMPATIENT WITH ME WHEN: I tell the same story I just told a few minutes ago
BUT REMEMBER WHEN: I read you the same story over and over each night
PLEASE DON’T BE IMPATIENT WITH ME WHEN: I cannot remember your name
BUT REMEMBER WHEN: The only name you could say was mine
PLEASE DON’T BE IMPATIENT WITH ME WHEN: I move with a slow and unsteady gait
BUT REMEMBER WHEN: I held both of your hands as you tentatively took those first steps
PLEASE DON’T BE IMPATIENT WITH ME WHEN: I have stains on my clothes after a meal
BUT REMEMBER WHEN: Taste and texture were explored as you learned to feed yourself
PLEASE DON’T BE IMPATIENT WITH ME WHEN: Hygiene matters are not always within my control
BUT REMEMBER WHEN: Patience, praise, and encouragement helped you to conquer “potty training”
PLEASE DON’T BE IMPATIENT WITH ME WHEN: A special diet requires extra time and planning
BUT REMEMBER WHEN: Formula gave way to baby food and later to cutting table food into tiny pieces
PLEASE DON’T BE IMPATIENT WITH ME WHEN: Taking me with you requires extra equipment
BUT REMEMBER WHEN: Playpens, high chairs, strollers, and a diaper bag were all a necessary part of any outing

PLEASE DON’T BE IMPATIENT WITH ME WHEN: I express fear and anxiety in unfamiliar places and circumstances
BUT REMEMBER WHEN: I watched with a lump in my throat as you were introduced to all of the important “firsts”
PLEASE DON’T BE IMPATIENT WITH ME WHEN: I plead with you not to be left alone
BUT REMEMBER WHEN: Leaving you with a caretaker was cause for tears for both of us.
To read The People’s Press – Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s community newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com
Labels: meriden wallingford newspaper, meriden wallingford newspaper news connecticut, the peoples press

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