Health Briefs for the week

Goshen Physicians now offering walk-in urgent care services

GOSHEN — Goshen Physicians Family Medicine Nappanee is now offering walk-in urgent care services for the treatment of minor illnesses and injuries. Clinic hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays at 1953 Waterfall Drive. Urgent care services are open to anyone in the community; you do not need to be a Goshen Physicians patient.

Maple City Health Care Center receives award

GOSHEN — Maple City Health Care Center was awarded the 2023 Health Center Quality Leader Gold badge from the Federal Health Resources and Services Administration. This award recognizes Maple City for being in the top 10% nationally for quality of care. The center was also recognized in 2023 by the Indiana Primary Health Care Association for its high-quality care, scoring among the top three clinics in Indiana across 20 quality of care indicators tracked by the association.

Classes

SOUTH BEND — Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana will offer the free class “Traveling with Dementia” from 10 to 11 a.m. Dec. 11 in the Care Partner Academy. Patty Piechocki, director of the Institute for Excellence in Memory Care, will lead this live/interactive web session. Participants can connect through their computer. Register online at https://alzni.org/caregivers/caregiving/.

SOUTH BEND — RiverBend Cancer Services Wellness House, 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd., will offer the following “Living Well with Cancer” classes. All classes are free and open to cancer patients, survivors, their families and caregivers; register for all classes by calling 574-287-4197.

• Dec. 11: 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 11:15 a.m. Breathworks; 1 p.m. Cookie Decorating and Exchange; 5:30 p.m. Gentle Yoga.

• Dec. 12: 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; Noon Bites & Bits; 1 p.m. MELT Method; 5:30 p.m. Empowered Movement.

• Dec. 13: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Massage and Reiki; 10 a.m. Support Squad; 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 2 p.m. Dominoes; 2 to 4 p.m. Kim’s Bra Boutique; 2 to 4 p.m. Personal Training Sessions; 5:30 p.m. General Cancer Support Group; 5:30 p.m. Supper and Support with white elephant gift exchange.

• Dec. 14: 10 a.m. Beginning Yarnwork; 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; 1 p.m. Healthy Christmas Goodies; 1 p.m. Debbie’s Wig Salon.

BUCHANAN — The Buchanan Area Senior Center, 810 Rynearson St., 269-695-7119, offers the following exercise classes and health checks through the end of December. The exercise room is open all hours BASC is open.

• Mondays: 10 a.m. — Chair fitness with Linda; 11 a.m. — Dancing to the Oldies with CeCe; 2 p.m. — Qigong exercise; Closed Dec. 25.

• Tuesdays: 9 a.m. — Osteo fit with Missy; 5:30 p.m. — Powerbeats with Missy. Closed Dec. 26.

• Wednesdays: 10:15 a.m. — Chair fitness with CeCe.

• Thursdays: 11 a.m. — Chair yoga; No chair yoga on Dec. 21.

• Fridays: 9 a.m. — Powerbeats with Missy; 10 a.m. — Chair fitness with Lizz; No classes Dec. 29.

• Blood Pressure Checks — Always Best Care Senior Services will be at the BASC from 10 to 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 14 and Dec. 28.

• Hearing Aid Checks — Dr. Michelle Ridenour from West Michigan Hearing Specialists, will be at the center from 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 12, to check ears for wax, clean hearing aids and answer questions. Call the BASC to register.

• Pain Management: Opioids and Alternatives — noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 13. Discussion will include the importance of safely managing and storing medications, along with alternatives to pain management beyond prescription medications and safe disposal options for expired or unwanted medications. Discussion led by Kerri Teachout with Region IV Area Agency on Aging. Please bring any pills you are no longer using in a zip lock bag for disposal. Lunch included. Registration required at 269-695-7119.

• Pamper Your Feet — Monthly foot clinic through Blessed Feet LLC, beginning at 9 a.m. Dec. 14. Initial appointment fee is $30; all subsequent appointments will cost $25 (checks payable to Blessed Feet LLC). Not covered under any insurance. Call the BASC to schedule an appointment. There will be a price increase in January to $40 and $30.

• Fireside Chats with Gayla — 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 14 - Dealing with grief in the midst of the holidays. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 28 – Thinking about the New Year.

SOUTH BEND — Care Partner Academy Live: “Alzheimer’s and Dementia 101” presented by Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana. This class explains the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, the theory of Retrogenesis, and how the world changes for the person, and Care Partners throughout the journey of dementia. This event will be held at the St. Joseph County Public Library, Community Learning Center, classroom D, 305 S. Michigan St. from 11 a.m. to noon Dec. 12. Register at sjcpl.libnet.info/events.

SOUTH BEND — The St. Joseph County Public Library is offering “Yoga for EveryBODY” from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 in Ballroom A & B, Community Learning Center, 305 S. Michigan St. Register at sjcpl.libnet.info/events.

GOSHEN — Chair Yoga will be offered by the Elkhart County Parks from 9 to 10 a.m. Dec. 14 in the Ox Bow Haus Shelter in Ox Bow Park, 23033 County Road 45. Chair Yoga is a gentle form of yoga that is done while seated or using a chair for balance. Wear comfortable clothing. Some mats are available; bring your own if you have one. This is a free class for those 12 years and older. No registration is required.

Events

SOUTH BEND — Angel of Hope Memorial Garden in Pinhook Park, 2801 Riverside Drive, will hold a Candle Lighting Remembrance Program at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10. This program will include lighting of candles in remembrance of children who have died. The program will be held outdoors; dress accordingly.

Support Groups

ST. JOSEPH — When you are grieving, it can be tough getting out and socializing again. Help ease the transition by joining us the second Friday of every month for “Just Coffee” from 9 to 11 a.m. at Lory’s Place, 445 Upton Drive. Meet this month on Dec. 8.

NILES — Lory’s Place and the Niles-Buchanan YMCA offers a free, in-person grief support group for adults who have experienced the death of someone significant. This is an open-ended group, which means you can attend or leave whenever you choose. The group meets the second Wednesday of each month (Dec. 13) from noon to 1 p.m. at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, 905 N. Front St. Space is limited. Register by calling 269-983-2707.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services offers the following support groups every month. Registration required.

Elkhart County

• First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart, 5 to 6:30 p.m. every second Tuesday, Norene Smith 574-303-9971.

• Greencroft, 1820 Greencroft Blvd., Goshen, 3 to 4:30 p.m. every fourth Tuesday, Amy Willhelm 574-537-4000 or Frank Piaskowy 574-903-1176.

• Waterford Crossing, 1332 Waterford Circle, Goshen, 6 to 7 p.m. every fourth Thursday, Lisa Zolinger at 574-534-3920.

• Brentwood at Elkhart, 3600 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, 2 to 3 p.m. every second Wednesday, Gayla Konanz at 574-232-8487.

LaPorte County

• Rittenhouse Senior Living, 4300 Cleveland Ave., Michigan City, 2 to 3 p.m. CDT every third Wednesday, Debbie Burgess 219-256-1239 or Dorothy White 219-369-1247.

• Brentwood at LaPorte, 2002 Andrew Ave., LaPorte, 10 to 11:30 a.m. CDT every second Thursday, Amy Harner 219-325-1599.

Marshall County

• Marshall County Council on Aging, 1305 W. Harrison St., Plymouth, 3 to 4 p.m. every third Thursday, Joe Collins 574-232-4121.

St. Joseph County

• Milton Village, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, 10 to 11:30 a.m. every third Tuesday; or 10 to 11:30 a.m. every first Thursday, Norene Smith 574-232-4121.

• Hamilton Grove, 31777 Chicago Trail, New Carlisle, 1 to 2:30 p.m. every first Wednesday, Dorothy White 219-369-1247 or Sandy Papai 574-213-4637.

• North Woods Village, 1409 E. Day Road, Mishawaka, 2 to 3 p.m. every fourth Tuesday, Deejra Lee or Cristy Kaniewski 574-247-1866.

• Always Best Care, 310 N. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, 10 to 11 a.m. every fourth Monday, Gayla Konanz, 574-383-9010; or 11 a.m. to noon every second Tuesday, Patricia Spagnola, 574-383-9010.

• You Too! Caring for Caregivers, location changes, call for address, 2 to 4 p.m. every third Saturday, Wanda Dudley, 574-400-5021.

• St. Paul’s, 3602 S. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, 1 to 2 p.m. every third Wednesday, Kris Borkowski at 574-284-9000.

Virtual

• Call for virtual Zoom meeting invitation, 2 to 3 p.m. every first Wednesday, Joe Collins 574-232-4121.

Vaccinations

SOUTH BEND — A free walk-in clinic for COVID vaccines, flu vaccines and COVID boosters will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 9, 16 and 30 at Crest Manor Church of the Brethren, 1342 Berkshire Drive. Call 574-291-3748 with any questions.

BERRIEN COUNTY — Corewell Health Lakeland will hold the following community drive-thru flu shot clinics. No appointment is needed, and participants remain in their vehicles the entire time. Guests must be 18 years or older.

• Noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 8, 12, 13 and 14 at 100 W. Main St., Benton Harbor.

There is no cost with most insurance; bring insurance card with you. $37 for the traditional vaccine or $74 for the high-dose vaccine. Cash or check only; credit cards not accepted. For questions, contact Corewell Health Employer Services at 269-927-5154.

Blood drives

Medical Foundation will hold the following drives. Register at givebloodnow.com:

• 1st Source Bank Call Center, 1704 Commerce Drive, South Bend, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8.

• St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, 203 S. Lincoln Ave., Niles, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 10.

• Park Place Spa, 15615 Indiana 23, Granger, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 11.

• Saint Joseph Health System Mishawaka, 5215 Holy Cross Parkway, Mishawaka, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 12.

• Memorial Hospital, 615 N. Michigan St., Family Conference Room, 3rd Floor, South Bend, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 13.

• Elkhart General Hospital, 600 East Boulevard, Elkhart, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 13.

• Better World Books, 55740 Currant Road, Mishawaka, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 14.

• Kem Krest, 3221 Magnum Drive, Elkhart, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14.

The American Red Cross will hold the following drives. Register at redcrossblood.org:

• Lincoln Junior High, 830 Gibson St., Plymouth, 1:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 11.

• First Church of God, 2020 E. Lincolnway, LaPorte, noon to 6 p.m. CST Dec. 11.

• Trinity Lutheran Church, 907 Michigan Ave., LaPorte, 1 to 6 p.m. CST Dec. 12.

• Caretel Inns of St. Joseph, 3905 Lorraine Path, St. Joseph, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 12.

• Mishawaka High School, 1202 Lincoln Way E., Mishawaka, 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 13.

• Knights of Columbus, 901 E. Jefferson St., Plymouth, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13.

• Silver Beach Center, 333 Broad St., St. Joseph, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 13.

• Lincoln Elementary School Gym, 1425 E. Calvert St., South Bend, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 14.

• Innovation Park at Notre Dame, 1400 E. Angela Blvd., South Bend, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 14.

• Lochmandy Motors, 920 N. Nappanee St., Elkhart, 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 14.

• Eaton Chiropractic, 8690 Pahs Road, Michigan City, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST Dec. 14.

• A.K. Smith Career Center, 817 Lafayette St., Michigan City, 7:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. CST Dec. 14.

• Knights of Columbus, 7454 Paw Paw Ave., Watervliet, noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 14.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Health Briefs for South Bend area from Dec. 8-14, 2023