Health news
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 Dec. 15.

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 Dec. 16.

For more information call Judy Griffith at 324-8139.

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 Dec. 10.

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 Dec. 9.

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. in the Hospital Chapel on the ground floor. The next meeting will be held on Dec. 8.

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

• A Grief Support Group will be offered at 1 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month in the McAuley Manor Chapel located on the second floor of St. James. The next meeting will be held on Dec. 10.

For more information contact Deacon Bob McCormick at St. James Mercy Hospital 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.

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.

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 Dec. 2.

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

• The Alzheimer's Association will offer a caregiver support group for those who have a loved one with Alzheimer's

disease or other related dementia. The group is hosted by the Office for the Aging and meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 1:30- 2:30 p.m. at the Human Resource Building, room 319, 425 Pennsylvania Ave. The next support group will be held Dec. 10. There is no fee or registration to attend. Contact the Alzheimer's Association at 585-760-5400 for more information. • Steuben County Office for the Aging will offer an Alzheimer's Support Group for spouse's/partners only (of those with dementia) from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon Dec. 8 at the Steuben Coutny Health Care Facility, 7009 Rumsey Street Extension, Bath.

Transportation assistance

Steuben Coordinated Transportation, in partnership with Office for the Aging and the United Way of the So. Tier, offers transportation assistance to Steuben County residents (not on Medicaid) to medical, nutritional, or other necessary services. Transportation assistance is offered by referrals to area services or by arranging for a volunteer driver to transport qualified clients.

If you are a senior citizen without transportation to necessary, non-emergency appointments, please call helpline at 1-800-346-2211 and ask for Steuben Coordinated Transportation. Donations are accepted but there is not a fee for any services given.

Residents of any age interested in becoming a volunteer driver and a vital part of our community are also invited to call for more information. (Mileage reimbursement is available to volunteer drivers.)

Multiple Sclerosis support

The Multiple Sclerosis meetings will be the first Wednesday of every month. The next meeting will at 10 a.m. Dec. 3 at Friendly's in Hornell. For more information call Roberta Staub at 545-6404 or Donna Boag at 295-9852.

Brain Injury support

The Bath Brain Injury support group will meet the third Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at Kinship Family & Youth Services, 130 Rumsey St., Bath. The next meeting will be Dec 15. A light snack will be provided. Contact Sharon Johnson at 315-538- 8018 or sjohnsonbia@rochester.rr.com to RSVP.

"Diabetes On Target"

• "Diabetes On Target" Education and support group meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 122 Liberty Street, Bath. The meeting is open to the public. For questions call 776-4065 x1.

"Diabetes On Target" Education and support group meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Campbell Christian Missionary Alliance Church, 8766 County Route 415, Campbell. For questions call 776-4065 x1.

Immunizations

If your child is in need of immunizations, the Steuben County Public Health and Nursing Services will sponsor the following clinics for July and August 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. Dec. 10 at the Steuben County Public Health and Nursing Services, County Office Building-G3 off D.S.S. lobby, Bath.

• From 5-7 p.m. Dec. 24 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 Transmitte Disease clinics by appointment only as follows:

• From 9-11 a.m. Dec. 4 at the Steuben County Public Health and Nursing Services Clinic rooms, County Office Building, 3 East Pulteney Square, Bath.

• From 9-11 a.m. Dec. 18 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 counceling and testing and for testing and treating sexually trasmitted diseases.

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

Blood pressure clinics

The Steuben County Public Health and Nursing Services will sponsor a blood pressure clinic from 12-1 p.m. Dec. 11 at the County Office Building in 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.

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.