Health Notes
Emergency Medical Services
Lee County Emergency Medical Services added four new paramedics to its division this month through successful completion of the agency’s field training program.
The newly credentialed paramedics are:
– Crystal Imsdahl, Labelle
– Patrick Hurd, Cape Coral
– George Miller, Cape Coral
– Paul Morris, Cape Coral
Each paramedic and EMT that Lee County hires or promotes is required to participate in a two-week orientation and complete a field training program. Upon completion of the field training program, employees are required to pass a test before an internal credentialing board which includes the EMS medical director.
New ‘Brainy’ Memory Spas
Spas typically cater to fitness, weight loss, and beauty but starting this month Lee Memorial Health System (LMHS) will offer a new twist on wellness called the Memory Spa. It’s part of their Healthy Brain Initiative program to keep the brain active and healthy in older adults.
The Healthy Brain Initiative has helped over 1,000 Southwest Florida residents forget about having too many “senior moments.”
Sue Maxwell, MSW, Director of Older Adult Services for LMHS, said the Memory Spa is based on a successful pilot program offered last year.
The program debuted the LMHS Wellness Center in Cape Coral in November. LMHS’ Fort Myers Wellness Center plans to add a course in December. The cost to complete those programs privately exceeds $2,500, but the three-month Memory Spa course is only $90 for Wellness Center members and $150 for non-members. Class sizes range from 10 to 20. Most participants are in their 70s.
For more information about the Healthy Brain Initiative call 772-6765.
Kennedy Senior Center health screenings
Bright Star Healthcare will be conducing free monthly health screenings on the third Wednesday of the month from 9 to 10 a.m. Appointments are not necessary.
Kennedy Senior Center is at 400 Santa Barbara Blvd. Registration is required. For more information and to register call 574-0575.Free Diabetes Screenings
Free diabetes screenings will be offered from 10 to 3 p.m. on Dec. 8 to Dec. 9 at Sweetbay Pharmacy at 10580 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers. For more information call Cholestcheck at (800) 713-3301. No appointment is necessary.
Wreaths Across America
For the first time in Southwest Florida an organization is sponsoring Wreaths Across America. The objective is to place a wreath on every American veteran’s grave. Our near term goal is year is to place a wreath on 1,000 veteran graves. The cost to sponsor a wreath is $15.00. For more info please visit the Wreaths Across America Web site.
We are planning to place sponsored wreaths on veteran graves at Fort Myers Memorial Guards on Saturday, Dec. 12 and at veteran memorial monuments at selected locations in Cape Coral and Fort Myers.
Nordic Walking
Nordic Walking is simply the art of walking using fitness poles, sometimes referred to as “ski walking. ” With a pair of walking poles in your hands a basic stroll becomes a surprisingly easy full-body workout.
Lee County Parks & Recreation offers a variety of Nordic Walking classes in North Fort Myers Community Park, located behind the North Fort Myers Library, at 2021 North Tamiami Trail.
Family Nordic Walking Adventures are Dec. 12, Jan. 16 and Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $5 per person.
Nordic Walking Stress Buster is , Dec. 14, 16 and 19 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The cost is $35 per person.
Nordic Walking Wake is Jan. 5, 7, 12 and 14 from 7 to 8 a.m. The cost is $35 per person.For more information contact Libby Olive at Lalive@leegov.com or 652-6002.