Health Briefs for the week

Cheryl Morey, South Bend Tribune
·4 min read

Classes

SOUTH BEND — Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana will offer the free class “Traveling with Dementia” from 10 to 11 a.m. April 29 in the Care Partner Academy. Patty Piechocki, director of the Institute for Excellence in Memory Care, will lead this live/interactive web session. Participants can connect through their computer. Register online at https://alzni.org/caregivers/caregiving/.

SOUTH BEND — RiverBend Cancer Services Wellness House, 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd., will offer the following “Living Well with Cancer” classes. All classes are free and open to cancer patients, survivors, their families and caregivers; pre-register for all classes by calling 574-287-4197 or e-mail programs@riverbendservices.org.

• April 29: 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 11:15 a.m. Breathworks; noon Birthday Club; 1 p.m. Paint with Wool; 5:30 p.m. Gentle Yoga.

• April 30: 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; 1 p.m. MELT; 1 p.m. Mary’s Garden Club.

• May 1: 10 a.m. Support Squad; 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 10 a.m. Knitting Krew; 2 p.m. Dominoes; 5:30 p.m. General Cancer Support Group.

• May 2: 10 a.m. Yarnwork; 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga.

• May 3: 9 a.m. Walking Club.

GOSHEN — Chair Yoga will be offered by the Elkhart County Parks at 9:30 a.m. May 2 in the Ox Bow Haus Shelter in Ox Bow Park, 23033 County Road 45. Chair Yoga is a gentle form of yoga that is done while seated or using a chair for balance. Wear comfortable clothing. Some mats are available; bring your own if you have one. This is a free class for those 12 years and older. No registration is required.

ELKHART — REAL Services has launched a bi-monthly healthy aging series in partnership with the Elkhart Public Library, 300 S. Second St. REAL Talk is an opportunity for seniors to gain knowledge on a variety of topics centered on health, wellness, and staying active and independent as long as possible. The program is geared for those aged 60 and over, but all are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided at each session. The next session will be held from 11 a.m. to noon April 30 and will feature a presentation by Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana and Beacon Health System. For more information, call 574-284-7104. Online registration is required at: realservices.org/get-involved/real-talk/.

Events

BUCHANAN — Walk Days are back at the Buchanan Area Senior Center. On April 30 take a stroll in the woods at Trillium Ravine Plant Preserve, 1669 Riverside Road, Niles. This walk will have uneven ground and exposed roots. Registration is required by calling the BASC at 269-695-7119. Please let the BASC know if you will be meeting at 10 a.m. to ride in the van, following the van or meeting at the Preserve at 10:20 a.m. Parking is limited.

Support Groups

ELKHART — An Epilepsy Support Group will meet the first Thursday of every month and is for individuals with epilepsy and families of those with epilepsy. The group meets from 7 to 8 p.m. at St. Thomas School, 1331 Main St., entrance off small parking lot. For more information, contact 317-308-4823 or email: mmmrobinson07@gmail.com or Facebook Group: Elkhart Epilepsy Support Group. The next meeting will be held May 2.

VIRTUAL — The Milk Bank is offering “Nurturing You,” an eight-week, virtual skill-building group tailored for bereaved parents. This program is centered around Mind-Body Medicine strategies aimed at healing trauma and alleviating stress. The program is free and you do not need to be a milk donor to take part. The sessions will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning May 8. All sessions will be conducted virtually. Register at themilkbank.org/events.

Blood drives

The American Red Cross will hold the following drives. Register at redcrossblood.org:

• NW Health Heart and Vascular Building, 901 Lincolnway, LaPorte, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT April 28.

• Nappanee Missionary Church, 70417 Indiana 19 North, Nappanee, noon to 6 p.m. April 30.

• Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School, 915 Pleasant, St. Joseph, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 1.

• Knox Community High School, 1 Redskin Trail, Knox, 8:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. CDT May 1.

• Oak Creek Community Church, 833 Lincoln Way East, Mishawaka, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2.

South Bend Medical Foundation will hold the following drives. Register at givebloodnow.com:

• Berrien Springs High School, 201 Sylvester Ave., Berrien Springs, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26.

• Ava Maria Press, 1865 Moreau Drive, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 29.

• Quality Dining, 4220 Edison Lakes Parkway, Mishawaka, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2.

• Meridian Title, 881 Parkway Ave., Elkhart, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Health Briefs for South Bend area beginning April 26, 2024