Valley Senior Health Fair Becomes Drive-Thru Event

 

Valley Senior Fair Oct. 16

5K Run/Walk for Drug Awareness

  

Shelton, CT (June 2019) Fight Against Drugs Everywhere (FADE) will hold its fifth annual drug awareness 5k run/walk on June 27 at 5:30 pm at the Shelton Pavilion & Riverwalk. All proceeds will benefit the BHcare’s Alliance for Prevention and Wellness (APW).

This year’s event will feature guest speaker John Lally and the “Today I Matter Project.” The event will conclude with a candlelight remembrance ceremony. Names will be read of loved ones lost to overdose. People can submit names at the event to be read aloud. 

Drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths continue to rise at an alarming rate. More than 120 people die every day in the U.S. from an opioid overdose. Both prescription painkillers and heroin are contributing to this phenomenon. The overall drug deaths in Connecticut have nearly tripled over the past seven years, from 357 in 2012 to 1,018 in 2018. 

FADE 5k run/walk is being held to raise awareness of the opioid epidemic and overdoses, acknowledge and support the grief felt by families and friends who have lost a loved one, provide hope to families who have a loved one struggling with a substance use disorder, and to provide local prevention and treatment resources. Register today at https://bit.ly/FADE2019.

The Alliance for Prevention & Wellness, a program of BHcare, is the Regional Behavioral Health Action Organization (RBHAO) for the DMHAS Region II service area. APW’s mission is to foster positive mental health by preventing substance misuse and other health-risk behaviors, and by building resources that promote wellness. For more information, please visit www.APW-CT.org

Sen. Logan to Host Annual Senior Fair

Event to Benefit Breast Cancer

Free Program on Meditation

DERBY - Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, is helping individuals refresh their spirits for spring with a free program on meditation from 6-7 p.m. on Thurs., April 26.

 

Janice Lautier, director of Spiritual Care and Education, will host “Finding Balance,” an interactive program about the benefits and styles of meditation that can help participants balance and settle themselves - especially during chaotic times. There will be group discussion and experiential learning as well as guidance on how to start a daily meditation practice.

 

This talk is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U Talks, a series of free wellness talks featuring Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics.

 

To reserve your spot or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit griffinhealth.org/events.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Oxford Woman to Receive Caring Heart Award

WOODBRIDGE - The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee will host its 13^th Annual Women's Heart Wellness & Caring Heart Award Ceremony on Thurs., April 26 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Birchwoods at Oak Lane Country Club, 1027 Racebrook Road, Woodbridge.

 

The theme of the dinner will be “Who’s That Woman in the Mirror?” featuring a panel of health experts discussing women’s health and answering questions related to healthy aging. There will also be a health fair with information on overall wellness and more. WTNH Health Reporter Jocelyn Maminta will be the MC for the evening.

 

The event will also honor Barbara Casagrande, of Oxford, with the Caring Heart Award. The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee will also present its Caring Heart Award to an individual from the Lower Naugatuck Valley who made significant contributions to the heart wellness of an individual or the community at large by his or her actions and/or volunteerism.

 

Tickets for the dinner are $35 per person and includes plentiful hors d'oeuvres and a complimentary glass of wine. To reserve a seat, visit griffinhealth.org/whw and click the event link at the bottom of the page. The deadline for reservations is April 22.

 

For more information, contact Eunice at 203-732-7107 or whw@griffinhealth.org.

 

The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee consists of healthcare professionals, heart patients and women from throughout the Valley communities. The primary focus of the group is to increase heart health awareness among women, empower them to love and save their hearts, and ensure they are provided the means to do so through education and rehabilitation. Membership is open to all interested persons.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Senior Health & Wellness Fair Oct. 18

Take Path to Better Health at Griffin Hospital

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is helping individuals make the change for a healthier life this fall with its Wellness for Life program.

 

Wellness for Life is a 12-week, evidence-based lifestyle change program that helps prevent and treat many chronic diseases. According to a report by the US Department of Health and Human Services, 80 percent of chronic diseases, like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, can be prevented with better lifestyle choices in nutrition, activity and emotional health.

 

Starting Tues., Sept. 26 from 6-8:30 p.m., the program offers a custom fitness evaluation, a wellness visit with a physician, individual nutritional guidance, one-on-one coaching, group physical activity, and small, interactive health seminars and discussions so participants can make a commitment to a healthier life. Each participant also receives a Fitbit, which helps track participants’ activity, sleep patterns and food intake.

 

“Making changes for a healthy lifestyle isn’t easy – it requires one-on-one guidance and on-going support,” said Wellness for Life Co-Director Eunice Lisk. “This program helps people assess their lifestyle, provides them with a personalized plan to increase vitality and gives one-on-one and group

support every step of the way to better health.”

 

Wellness for Life focuses on hands-on learning, featuring an activity monitor, behavioral change coaching, and weekly group sessions to promote healthy weight management, better sleep and energy, chronic disease prevention/management, and increased personal strength and resilience.

 

Since its start in 2015, Wellness for Life graduates have reported increased knowledge, skills, and confidence in making lifestyle changes (physical activity, stress management, nutrition, resilience), and the program has received high satisfaction scores from participants in meeting expectations and for presentations by the expert speakers.

 

Wellness for Life meets on Tuesday from 6-8:30 p.m. at The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave., Derby.

 

For more information about Wellness for Life, visit griffinhealth.org or call Program Director Eunice Lisk, MS, at 203-732-7107.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

New Year, New You

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host a series of free talks to help people achieve better health in 2017.

 

Entitled “New Year, New You,” the talks will offer information on stress management, meditation, positive thinking, healthy eating, smoking cessation, chronic disease self-management, weight-loss and fitness. All of the talks will be held at the hospital, 130 Division Street, Derby.

 

The series starts on Mon., Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. with “Positive Thinking and Finding Your Passion.” This presentation will feature information and demonstrations on meditation and practicing gratitude and discovering your passion by Griffin’s Spiritual Care and Psychiatry departments to help individuals lessen stress and foster a more positive mindset.

 

On Mon., Jan. 23 at 6 p.m., “Healthy Steps” will feature information on Griffin’s free smoking cessation program and its free self-management program for individuals with chronic diseases, including pain, stress, anxiety, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

 

The series will finish on Thurs., Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. with “Healthy Eating, Exercise and Weight-Loss,” featuring expert advice on nutrition, fitness and weight-loss procedures from Griffin’s dieticians, exercise psychologists and bariatric surgeons.

 

This series is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U program, a series of free wellness talks featuring Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics. Light refreshments will be served.

 

To reserve your spot or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit the calendar at griffinhealth.org.

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Hey Valley...How Healthy Are You?

DERBY - Griffin Hospital, the Valley Community Foundation (VCF) and the Naugatuck Valley Health District invite the Lower Naugatuck Valley community to a discussion on health and wellness in the Valley on Tues., Aug. 9 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the hospital, 130 Division St., Derby.

 

The event will feature a presentation of the preliminary health data included in the upcoming “Understanding the Valley Region” report that will be published this fall by the Valley Community Foundation. The report was commissioned by the VCF to give residents, business and organizations a clear view of the community’s demographics, strengths, areas for improvement and other insightful data that can help plan for the future.

 

At the conclusion of the health data presentations, participants will be able to provide input and perspective that will be considered in the development of the Valley’s 2016-18 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

 

Light refreshments will be served.

 

Please RSVP to 203-732-1511 or register online at griffinhealth.org.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Derby Middle School awarded new fitness center

DERBY >> The Derby Middle School is among three Connecticut schools that will receive a state-of-the-art fitness center for demonstrating new and innovative ways for promoting student physical activity and wellness, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils Jake Steinfield announced Friday.

Taken from Derby Middle School website

The Derby Middle School, Washington Middle School in Meriden and the Maria Sanchez Elementary School in Hartford will each receive a state-of-the-art Live PositivelyTM Fitness Center as part of the National Champion Schools campaign, according to a press release.

The fitness centers are fully funded through public/private partnerships and do not rely on taxpayer dollars or state funding, the release states.
“By encouraging participation in physical activities in our schools, we can begin to address the widespread problem of childhood obesity,” said Malloy in a press release. “While only three schools won a new fitness center, all participating schools are winners for setting our children on the right path to fitness. I am proud to have partnered with Jake Steinfeld to bring this National Champion Schools campaign to Connecticut schools and applaud the winning schools for introducing innovative ideas for improving physical fitness.”

“Childhood obesity is not a Democrat or Republican issue, it’s a kids’ issue and Gov. Malloy has stepped up big time to help combat this growing problem,” said Jake “Body by Jake” Steinfeld in the release.
“We’re thrilled to award these three Connecticut schools with new fitness centers because they have demonstrated a passion for fitness and in living healthy a lifestyle. I know that academics and fitness go hand in hand and when you provide the schools with the tools, students will excel beyond their wildest dreams. Not only will these students be healthier, but they’ll also have increased confidence, improved self-esteem and will achieve greater academic success.”


The National Foundation’s goal is to build a nation of the fittest, healthiest kids in the world. Physical activity and exercise are shown to help prevent and treat more than 40 chronic diseases, enhance individual health and quality of life and reduce health care costs.
In schools, studies show that physical activity improves academic achievement, increases confidence and self-esteem, reduces discipline problems, cuts absenteeism and fosters better interpersonal relationships.

For more information about the National Foundation, visit http://natgovfit.org/.

Orthopedist to discuss sports injuries at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Klauser

DERBY - While being active and exercising are good for your health, they are not without their dangers.

Learn how to avoid injuries while playing sports and exercising as well as the signs and symptoms of possible damage to the body at 6:30 p.m. April 23 at Griffin Hospital. 

Griffin Hospital Orthopedist and Sports Medicine Specialist Dr. Jeffrey Klauser will present “Overuse Injuries,” a talk about sports injuries and how overexertion during exercise can damage ankles, knees and hips in the hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division St.

Klauser has a wealth of expertise honed under the guidance of world-renowned Dr. James Andrews at the Andrews Institute in Pensacola, Fla. 

A Shelton native and former member of the Shelton High football and basketball teams, Klauser understands athletes and is an expert in the latest procedures used in treating athletes of all ages. He utilizes minimally invasive, arthroscopic techniques which reduce post-operative recovery time and allow for an early return to work and play.

His surgical interests include arthroscopic and open treatment of shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle injuries, as well as general orthopaedics.
The Joint Replacement Center at Griffin Hospital offers a focused approach to hip and knee replacement. 
Like all programs at Griffin Hospital, the Joint Replacement Center incorporates the Planetree philosophy of patient-centered care with a goal to involve and empower the patient in his or her treatment. 

The Joint Replacement Program at Griffin Hospital features a dedicated care team of physicians, nurses, patient care technicians, care managers, and physical therapists specializing in joint replacement; a comprehensive patient education program; a Care Partner Program to prepare your family and friends to be participants during the patient’s recovery, and a coordinated after-care and rehabilitation program.

“Overuse Injuries” is part of Griffin's Healthy U “Tuesday Talks,” a series of free wellness talks featuring Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics.

All Tuesday Talks are held in Griffin Hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division St.
Light refreshments will be served.

To reserve a spot or for information, call 203-732-1511 or visit griffinhealth.org. 
To find out about upcoming Tuesday Talks, visit griffinhealth.org/programsevents.

This information is from a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Nutrition, wellness course slated in Derby

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will offer a free four-week nutrition course beginning April 17.
The free course, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Nutrition, But Were Afraid to Ask," will be held over four sessions, April 17 and 24 and May 1 and 8 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.

This groundbreaking series of fun, informative classes is taught by Samantha Heller, Clinical Nutrition Coordinator at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital.

A registered dietician and exercise physiologist, Heller is a nationally known nutrition expert who regularly appears on television and radio programs such as Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, and the CBS Early Show.
She hosts "Samantha Heller's Health & Nutrition Show" on Sirius XM, and is the author of "Get Smart: Samantha Heller's Nutrition Prescription for Boosting Brain Power and Optimizing Total Body Health."

Participants should plan on attending all four sessions, as the learning is cumulative. They will learn about a variety of nutrition topics, including how to:

• Reach and maintain a healthy weight
• Manage Type 2 Diabetes
• Lower cholesterol
• Reduce blood pressure
• Boost stamina and energy
• Reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases
• Improve memory, sharpen the mind, and more.

Early registration is encouraged, as space is limited.
Register online at griffinhealth.org or by calling 203-732-1260.

This is taken from a press release from Griffin Hospital.