Holy Family Hospital plans lecture series on bone, joint care

Hip/knee replacements: Dr. Tom Hoener, Essex Orthopaedics and Optima Sports, will help you navigate the considerations of joint replacement surgery on May 6 from 5 to 6 p.m. Explore nonsurgical treatments, how to select the physician and hospital that's right for you and how to find quality and cost data.

Fall/winter sports: Injury prevention and treatment: Join Steven Andriola, MD, Orthoaedics Northeast, for tips on preventing injuries associated with individual and team sports, information on exercises to condition your body and reduce injury risk on Sept. 2 from 5 to 6 p.m. Also, understand common injuries that may occur and treatment options that will help get you back on your feet.

Cutting edge orthopedics: Minimally invasive, robotics, hip resurfacing: Sohail Husain, MD, Essex Orthopaedics, explores the latest options in bone and joint care on Dec. 2 from 5 to 6 p.m. Learn the safety and functional benefits of new treatment modalities and their impact on your quality of life.

All lectures are free and open to public and take place in the Holy Family Hospital auditorium, 70 East St., Methuen. For more information or to register for any lecture above, call 800-488-5959, ext. 375.

Healthy Happenings

Baby boomer fitness walking group: The Recreation Department and the Council on Aging are organizing a baby boomer fitness walking group beginning Monday, March 23, at 10 a.m. at the Haverhill Stadium on Lincoln Avenue. No special equipment is necessary, just a pair of walking shoes and a desire to maintain your health. For more information or to register, call Kathy or Rita at 978-374-2390.

Wellness Day: A network of wellness professionals from throughout the Merrimack Valley will offer a wide variety of wellness workshops, treatments and experimental classes on Saturday, March 7 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at the North Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 190 Academy Road, North Andover. Preregistration is $20, $25 at the door, and includes admission to all offerings and complimentary refreshments. Childcare is available with preregistration for children three or older at $10 for the first child, $5 for the second. For more information or to register, contact Grace Durfee at 978-689-0147 or grace@balancewithgrace.com.

Diabetes and cholesterol tests: ActivMed Practice of Haverhill is offering free diabetes and cholesterol tests. Individuals will be seen Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at 1 Water St, Suite A, by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 978-372-7252.

Blood pressure checks: Blood pressure clinics at the Haverhill Council on Aging site at the Citizens Center on Welcome Street are 9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays. Clinics on the first and third Tuesdays of the month will be staffed by two nurses. The other weeks, the clinic will be staffed by one nurse only.

Alzheimer's workshop: The Alzheimer's Association will offer an overview of Alzheimer's disease at a workshop on March 11 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Santo Professional Building, 224 Main St., Salem, N.H. Free and open to the public. Registration is required. For information or to register, call 800-272-3900.

Basic aromatherapy class: Learn about the healing benefits and safety data of using therapeutic-grade essential oils on Tuesday, March 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Timberlane Regional High School, 36 Greenough Road, Plaistow, N.H. Make your own personalized bath salts for relaxation and detoxification, and create your own synergy blend for a natural perfume or a certain health issue. Cost is $30, plus $5 for essential oils paid to the instructor. For more information or to register, call Donna Tilton at 603-382-0464 or the school at 603-382-6541, ext. 232, or visit www.HealingBalance.net.

Reiki class: A Reiki Level 1 class will be held on March 17 and 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Timberlane Regional High School, 36 Greenough Road, Plaistow, N.H. Class will cover the science of the energy field, vibrations, meditation, grounding and clearing. An attunement and certificate will be given. Cost is $85 and includes materials. For more information or to register, call Donna Tilton at 603-382-0464 or the school at 603-382-6541, ext. 232, or visit www.HealingBalance.net.

Bone and joint lecture series: Caritas Holy Family Hospital, 70 East St., Methuen, is holding a series of free lectures on bone and joint health:

Hip and knee replacement, Wednesday, May 6, 5 to 6 p.m., auditorium. Joint replacement surgery will be discussed.

Fall and winter sports, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 5 to 6 p.m., auditorium. Injury prevention and treatment will be discussed.

All lectures are free and open to the public. To register, call 800-488-5959, ext. 375.

Diabetes discussion group: A free discussion group focusing on diabetes management before, during and after surgery will be held on March 26, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Caritas Holy Family Hospital auditorium, 70 East St., Methuen. For more information or to register, call Norma at 978-687-0156, ext. 2161.

Smoking cessation program: An eight-week smoking cessation class begins on Monday, April 6, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Caritas Holy Family Hospital, Classroom 1, 70 East St., Methuen. A $25 deposit is returned upon completion of the program. To register, call 800-488-5959, ext. 31.

ICE your phone: To program "In Case of Emergency" information into your cell phone, type the acronym "ICE" into your phone, followed by a name, then save the phone number. Be sure to tell the person you have chosen that he or she is your ICE contact, and apply an ICE sticker to your phone. This will allow paramedics or other emergency responders to contact someone in case of emergency. Stickers are available through Joel Berg on Wednesdays or Fridays from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Citizen Center. For information, call Berg at 978-374-2390.

HealthQuarters: HealthQuarters offers free, rapid HIV testing and counseling, and free pregnancy tests. Benefits of rapid HIV testing are: results within 30 minutes, 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 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.

Women's Health Network of VNA Care: This program 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. It 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.

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.