Health Notes
Cape Coral
Scrubby Bear class
The Urgent Care Center of SWFL presents the American Red Cross of Lee County’s “Scrubby Bear’s Don’t Get Sick. Wash-up Quick” classes Saturday. The entertaining and informative program will teach children preventive methods against getting sick during the upcoming flu season. Each child who participates will leave with their own stuffed Scrubby Bear and song sheet, as well as a membership in the Scrubby Bear Clean Hands Club. For information or to register for a class, call 481-7158 and select Option 2, or e-mail ucc@clarityinmarketing.net.
Blood pressure and blood sugar clinics
Tatalomo’s Nurses Registry will provide complimentary blood pressure and blood sugar clinics on the third Monday of each month at Lake Kennedy Senior Center, 400 Santa Barbara Blvd. The clinics are free. For information, call 574-0575.
Kidney Thrift Store
The Cape Coral Kidney Thrift Store, 4836 Candia St., is a little known treasure chest of donated items from the community. All of the proceeds go to the Kidney Foundation and dialysis patients in Cape Coral. It offers clothing, household items, home decor and more. For details, call 945-1835. Donations are tax deductible.
Work it Baby
Work it Baby is a fun workout program for mothers and babies starting Tuesday at Joe Stonis Park.
Four class times available:
– Tuesdays at 9 a.m.
– Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
– Thursdays at 9 a.m.
– Thursdays at 6 p.m.
Cost is $10 per class for residents and $15 per class for non-residents. For information, call 549-4606.
Pack Your Bag
The National Council on Aging and CVS Pharmacy are sponsoring a free Pack Your Bag medication consultation from 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 22 at Tony Rotino Senior Center, 5817 Driftwood Parkway. A local CVS pharmacist will conduct a 15-minute presentation, followed by one-on-one consultations, to discuss the advantages and myths that exist surrounding the use of generic medications. The event is free. For information, call 574-0807.
North Fort Myers
Diabetic screenings
Free diabetes screenings will be offered at the following:
– Sept. 14-16: Sweetbay Pharmacy, 5690 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Volunteer Fair
A Volunteer Fair will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday in the Party House at the Shell Factory in North Fort Myers. All individuals interested in volunteering can come and meet with area agencies to find the best fit for their service. Participants include ECHO, Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, Guardian ad Litem, Learning for Life, Lee County Library System, Literacy Volunteers of Lee County, North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, North Fort Myers Fire & Rescue, Senior Friendship Centers, Lee County Sheriff’s VOICE Unit, 20th Judicial Administrative Office of the Courts, United Way Volunteer Center and more. For details, call Margaret at 275-1881, ext. 203.
Fort Myers
New ECHO Web site
Local nonprofit Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization, or ECHO, revealed its newly designed Web site with a launch party Tuesday. For information, call Danielle Flood at 567-3312 or visit: www.echonet.org.
Diabetic screenings
Free diabetes screenings will be offered at the following:
– Sept. 8-9: Sweetbay Pharmacy, 8650 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
– Sept. 11-12: Sweetbay Pharmacy, 10580 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
No appointment necessary. For information, call (800) 713-3301.
Wellness seminar
The Florida Wellness Alliance began a series of 12 wellness presentations, titled “Wellness Defined,” on the third Wednesday of each month. The August presentation, “Heart Health … The Beat Goes On!” has been rescheduled for Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Florida Wellness Alliance Training Center, 12381 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. It will be presented by Dr. Alan Tannenbaum, of Primary Care Associates. The presentation focuses on the basics of genetics and lifestyle choices that affect cardiovascular health, and what is new in traditional and complementary medicine. No cost to attend. Reservations requested. For information or to reserve a seat, call 267-5899 or e-mail floridawellnessalliance@gmail.com.
Power wheelchairs
Medicare’s regulations now make it easier for seniors and others with debilitating conditions, such as arthritis, stroke, heart and breathing problems, or diabetes, to obtain a power wheelchair at little or no cost. Miracle on Wheels is trying to increase public awareness about the assistance options that allow seniors and the disabled to remain independent in their own homes rather than undergo difficult surgery or other expensive treatment, or resort to moving into a nursing home. The assistance options are available to anyone with problems getting around their home or who are in danger of falling due to the medical condition. To learn about qualifying at little or no cost, contact Miracle on Wheels at (800) 400-4210.