Whittier Home Healthcare Agency recognized: Whittier Home Healthcare Agency was recognized by MassPro, the Medicare quality improvement organization for Massachusetts. The agency received its award for improving clinical care related to one or more target areas of care.
Alzheimer's program grand opening: The Harbor Program at Haverhill Crossings holds its grand opening May 8 from 4:30 to 7 p.m., 254 Amesbury Road. Haverhill Crossings invested nearly $2 million to develop and launch the program, which accommodates up to 24 residents in a fully secured environment. Key to the program are activities designed with different cognitive levels which promote engagement in daily life.
Nintendo Wii raffle: Penacook Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is raffling off a Nintendo Wii video game system to raise money for the Friends of Penacook Place Fund. Tickets are available at $5 each at Penacook Place, 150 Water St. The winning ticket will be drawn on Friday, May 16, as part of National Nursing Home Week. For more information, call 978-374-0707.
Informational Seminar: First Seniority Freedom, Harvard Pilgrim's Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service plan, will hold an informational seminar on Tuesday, May 20, at 11 a.m. at Comfort Suites, 106 Bank Road. First Seniority Freedom offers Medicare beneficiaries several plan options with open access to Medicare providers throughout the country. For more information or reservations, call 866-626-1317 or 888-259-8276.
ICE your phone: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2003, 900,000 emergency room patients could not provide information because they were incapacitated. To prevent this, it recommends that people ICE their telephone by entering emergency contact information into their cell phones so paramedics or police can contact the designated relative or contact in an emergency. To do this, simply type the acronym "ICE" into your cell phone, followed by a name, then save the phone number. But don't forget to inform the person you chose that he/she is your ICE contact. And apply an ICE sticker to your phone. ICE stickers are available through Joel Berg, Wednesdays or Fridays, from noon to 2:30 p.m., at the Citizen Center. For more information, please call Berg at 978-374-2390.
Health Quarters is offering a free three-month supply of birth control with the pill, patch, ring and shot to new patients at its 215 Summer St. center, after a required clinical assessment. The exam can be paid for with a sliding fee scale or billed to MassHealth and some insurance plans. After the introductory period, patients can continue to obtain their brand name birth control method from Health Quarters at prices below most pharmacies. For more information, call 800-892-0234 or visit www.healthq.org.
Free reproductive health testing: HealthQuarters, 215 Main St., Suite 16, offer free, rapid HIV testing and counseling, and free pregnancy tests. Benefits of rapid HIV testing are: results within an hour, which eliminates return visits for test results; availability of post-test counseling during the same visit; and the ability to start medical care more quickly for those who test positive. Results are anonymous and confidential. HealthQuarters also offer low-cost birth control and over-the-counter Plan B, gynecological exams, cancer screening and a sexually transmitted disease clinic. For an appointment, call Kelly at 978-521-4444.
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Women's Health Network of VNA Care Network & Hospice links uninsured and underinsured, income-eligible women to free mammograms, pap tests and cardiovascular screenings at participating hospitals, mammography sites, physician groups and health clinics. The program is open to women who live in Massachusetts and are ages 40 to 64. Younger and older women may also qualify for some services. All inquiries and services are confidential. Immigration status is not considered. The program is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. For more information, call 888-663-3688, ext. 1340.
Volunteer counselors needed: The Muscular Dystrophy Association seeks volunteer counselors to assist youths with neuromuscular diseases and help them enjoy week-long summer camps. Applicants must be at least 16 and able to lift and care for a young person between the ages of 6 and 21. Each volunteer counselor becomes a companion to a camper and helps with daily activities like eating, bathing and dressing, as well as recreational activities like arts and crafts, swimming and horseback riding. For an application or to learn about other ways to support MDA's summer camp program, call 800-572-1717 or visit www.mda.org/clinics/camp.
Volunteers needed: The SHINE Program at Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley is looking for volunteers to become certified SHINE counselors. Counselors provide no-cost health care information, assistance and counseling to Medicare beneficiaries of all ages. Individuals are required to complete the 50-hour certification program that prepares them to communicate accurate, up-to-date information during counseling sessions. Volunteers must be willing to make a three- to four-hour-a-week commitment to the program. For more information, call 800-892-0890.
Red Cross training: The American Red Cross has newly revised training programs and materials for all First-Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, automated external defibrillation and emergency cardiovascular care courses. Simplified and flexible courses with stimulating teaching techniques like "practice-while-you-watch" instruction. Participants utilizing the First-Aid/CPR/AED for the workplace and the First-Aid/CPR/AED for schools and communities will learn CPR skills while practicing along with a video. The Red Cross encourages everyone to be trained and certified in First-Aid and CPR/AED. Receiving training through a certified instructor helps to ensure proper knowledge and skills in an emergency. For more information or to contact your local Red Cross chapter, visit www.redcross.org.
Breast cancer assistance: VNA Care Network provides help to women with breast cancer who need financial assistance for medications, co-payments, transportation to treatment and other things that increase access to treatment and support recovery. Women must be residents of eastern or central Massachusetts to qualify. The program is funded by the Massachusetts Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For information, call 888-663-3688, ext. 1264.
Panic disorder help: A program to help anyone with panic disorders, anxiety or agoraphobia is offered by Panic Relief Inc. The sessions will be in Haverhill on Mondays, noon to 1 p.m., and Wednesdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. For information, call 732-940-9658.
Merrimack Valley Hospital: WE CARE cancer support group meets the third Tuesday of every month, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the hospital atrium. This group supports cancer patients and their family and friends. For information, call 978-521-3651. Blood-pressure clinics are the first and third Friday of every month, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., in the hospital auditorium. Blood-pressure clinics are open to adults of all ages. For information, call 978-521-8550.
WIC program: Women, Infants and Children is a nutritional education program that provides nutrition and health education, healthy food and other services free to Massachusetts families who qualify. For information, call 978-374-2191.
