HEALTH
Gastric Bypass support

The monthly meeting of the Gastric Bypass Support Group of St. James Mercy Health System will be held on the third Monday of every month from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria at St. James Mercy Hospital. The next support group will be held Feb. 18.

The free support group is open to anyone who has had a gastric bypass or is considering one.

For more information, contact Faith Mills at 324- 5869 or tmrcj@yahoo.com.

Diabetes support

The monthly meeting of the Diabetes Support Group of St. James Mercy

Health System is held the third Tuesday of every month at 3 p.m. in the cafeteria at MercyCare on Bethesda Drive in North Hornell. The next support group will be held Feb. 19.

Multiple sclerosis

The Multiple Sclerosis meetings will be held the first Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. at Friendly's in Hornell. The next meeting will be held Feb. 6.

Hospital bills or Medicare questions?

Financial Representatives will be available on the second Tuesday of every month from 1-2 p.m. to answer questions regarding hospital bills or Medicare at St. James Hospital. This is a free service offered to any individual and no appointment is necesssary. The next service will be held Feb. 12.

For questions call 324- 8040. Grief Support Group

The new Evening Grief Support group; "Good Grief Group" will be held the second and forth Monday of every month at 7 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Jan. 28.

For more information contact Deacon Bob McCormick in the Spiritual Care Office at 324-8153.

Want to quit smoking?

The Bath VA is offering the Quit Smart Program to assist eligible veterans to stop smoking. To find out if you are eligible and/or to enroll, contact the Behavioural Health Clinic at 664-4300.

Cardiac support

The Cardiac Support Group will meet on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m., in Cardiac Rehab, second floor, at St. James Hospital. The next support group will be held Feb. 13.

Senior home care

The Steuben County Office for Aging can assist senior citizens and their families explore the many options for home care and support services for eligible senior citizens.

Call the Office of the Aging for more information at 776-7813.

Free health care services

Free health care services are now available in Bath for people who have no health insurance or means of payment.

Call for an appointment, 776-8085 Ext. 218. Health Ministry of the Southern Tier, Bath Community Care Center, 23 Liberty Street, Bath.

Brain injury

Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group meeting will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. on the third Monday of every month in the conference room located at the rear entrance of the Pro- Action building, 117 E. Steuben St., Bath. The meeting is for people with brain injury and their families.The next support group will be held Feb. 18.

For more information contact Gail Cochrane, TBI Coordinator, (585) 747- 3959.

Traumatic brain injury

A Taumatic Brain Injury Support Group meeting will be held the third Monday of every month from 5:30-7 p.m. in the conference room, rear entrance of Pro-Action building, 117 E. Steuben St., Bath. The next support group will be held Feb. 18. The meeting is for people with Brain Injury and their families. For more information contact Gail Cochrane, IBI Coordinatior at (585) 382- 3959.

Alzheimer's support

• The Alzheimer's Association offers a monthly caregiver support group in Elmira for people who have a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. Meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of each month from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Staffkings Health Care, 221 W. Church St. The next support group will be held Feb. 5.

For more information contact the Alzheimer's Association at (585) 760- 5400.

• The Alzheimer's Association, in partnership with Steuben County Office for the Aging will offer a free one-session seminar from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at Green Meadows, 120 Creekside Dr., Painted Post. The session is for families and friends of individuals newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Registration is required. Please call the Alzheimer's Association at 585-760- 5400 or 800-272-3900 24- hour helpline or Steuben County Office for the Aging at 664-2298.

• Office For The Aging will hold an Alzheimer's Disease support group from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon Feb. 11 at the Steuben County Health Care Facility, 7002 Mt. Washington Rd., Bath. The support group is for spouse's/partners only (of those with dementia.)

Blood pressure clinic

The Steuben County Public Health and Nursing Services will sponsor a blood pressure clinic from 12-1 p.m. Feb. 28 at the County Office Building, Bath. For anyone with special needs or for further information call the Steuben County Public Health and Nursing Services office at 664-2438 or (800) 724-0471.

Immunizations

If your child is in need of immunizations, the Steuben County Public Health and Nursing Services will sponsor the following clinics for Feb. under the direction of the local Meidical Director. Adults are encouraged to attend the immunization clinic to receive Tetanus/Diphtheria vaccine which is recommended eary 10 years. The cost for that vaccination is $20. The clinics are as follows:

• From 1-3 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Steuben County Public Health and Nursing Services, County Office Building - G3 off D.S.S. lobby, Bath.

From 5-7 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Steuben County Public Health and Nursing Services, County Office Building - G3 off D.S.S. lobby, Bath.

Anyone with special needs or for further information call the Steuben County Public Health and Nursing Services office in Bath at 664-2438 or (800) 724-0471.

STD/HIV clinics

The Steuben County Public Health and Nursing Services will sponsor free HIV and Sexually Transmitted Disease clinics, by appointment only, as follows:

• From 9-11 a.m. Jan. 31 at the Steuben County Public Health and Nursing Services Clinic Rooms, County Office Building, 3 East Pulteney Square, Bath.

• From 9-11 a.m. Feb. 14 at the Steuben County Public Health and Nursing Services Clinic Rooms, County Office Building, 3 East Pulteney Square, Bath.

• From 9-11 a.m. Feb. 28 at the Steuben County Public Health and Nursing Services Clinic Rooms, County Office Building, 3 East Pulteney Square, Bath.

These clinic services are available to all residents of Steuben County for HIV counseling and testing and for testing and treating sexually transmitted diseases which include Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Trichomonas.

For an appointment or information, call the Steuben County Public Health and Nursing Services at the Bath office at 664-2438 or (800) 724- 0471.

National Cervical Cancer screening

In honor of National Cervical Cancer Screening Month during Jan., Planned Parenthood is renewing their efforts to educate women on ways to reduce their risk through routine screenings, consistent and correct condom use, and the HPV vaccine. Planned Parenthood is working hard to make sure that the HPV vaccine becomes an affordable, routine part of health care.

For more information about National Cervical Cancer Screening Month and the HPV vaccine, please visit www.ppsfl.org.

Sexual violence helpline

Sexual violence is not just a big city crime. It is happening in our rural communities. Sexual vilence occurs when an individual is forced, threatened, and/or manipulated into unwanted sexual activity with another. It does not always include intense physical force and comes in many forms including date/acquanintance rape, marital/partner rape, and sexual predation upon children. All sexual crimes carry with them violations of the most intimate nature and are traumatic and lifealtering events that will forever impact a person's sense of self, trust and safety. There is a free, confidential and compassionate help available. Call HAVEN at 570-724-3549 or 1-800-550-0477.