Alzheimer Association to present Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body

The Alzheimer Association is offering a Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research program starting Friday, Nov. 11. The sessions run from 11 a.m. to noon.

For centuries, those in the medical field have known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. But now, science is able to provide insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age. Join the Alzheimer Association to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging.

To register online, use ZOOM link below: https://alz-org.zoom.us/meeting/ register/tJwvduqqqjoiHdDVgfD4nlHGXFrWpfQmUIqi

For questions or help, please call the Alzheimer Association’s 24/7 Helpline at: 800-272-3900.

Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida earns national recognition

The National Committee for Quality Assurance has announced that Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida has once again received NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term, participative relationships.

Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida has been recognized as a Patient-Centered Medical Home continuously since 2013. The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care, improve patients’ experience of care and reduce costs. Medical homes foster ongoing partnerships between patients and their personal clinicians, instead of approaching care as the sum of episodic office visits. Each patient’s care is overseen by clinician-led care teams that coordinate treatment across the health care system. Research shows that medical homes can lead to higher quality and lower costs, and can improve patient and provider reported experiences of care.

To earn recognition, Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida demonstrated the ability to meet the program’s key elements, embodying characteristics of the medical home. NCQA standards aligned with the joint principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home established with the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association.

For more information, visit www.ppcswfl.com

NCQA can be found online at ncqa.org, on Twitter @ncqa, on Facebook at facebook.com/NCQA.org/ and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa.

Hope Healthcare offers new group project series: Sorting Photos After Loss

Hope Healthcare is offering a new group project series this fall for people who are coping with grief. A special three-part workshop, Sorting Photos after Loss, will provide practical tips for organizing beloved keepsakes. Participants will curate and catalog images while exploring complex emotions related to bereavement and loss.

The group project is open to the public at no cost, thanks to generous community support. Advance registration is required for the virtual sessions, held Wednesdays on Zoom, from 6-7:30 p.m.

• Nov. 16: Session 1 – Why is this so hard? Explore the common struggle to process keepsakes.

• Dec. 7: Session 2 – Organizing your photos.

• Jan. 11: Session 3 – Creative options to preserve the best memories of your loved ones.

To learn more or register, contact Lorrie.McCann@HopeHCS.org or call 239-985-7716.

Lee Health Foundation announces new board of trustees

Lee Health Foundation has announced its 2022 board of trustees. Returning trustee Joseph R. Catti will serve as chairperson.

Catti is chairman and chief executive officer of FineMark National Bank and Trust and FineMark Holding, Inc. He is a graduate of Florida International University and has been a FineMark director since 2006.

Trustees help guide philanthropic initiatives for Lee Health Foundation. Since 1995, the Foundation, its supporters and trustees have made it possible for Lee Health to serve a growing community with comprehensive medical services close to home.

Returning to their roles are Dr. James W. Orr Jr. as vice chairperson and Dominic Cameratta as treasurer. Returning trustee Jenny Gezella will serve as secretary.

Newly elected trustees are Bill Cronin of Cape Coral, Jennifer “JJ” McCurry of Naples, Gary Price of Naples, Ian Schmoyer of Bonita Springs and Debbie Toler of Bonita Springs.

Ex-officio trustees are Dr. Larry Antonucci, Donna Clarke, Gary Gold, Jim Eberz, Sue Lester and Armando Llechu. The board’s emeriti committee includes Amanda Cross, Dorothy Fitzgerald, Joe Gammons, Frank Haskell, Chairperson Elaine Hawkins, and Garrett Reasoner.

For additional information about the role of philanthropy at Lee Health or to donate, visit LeeHealthFoundation.org or call 239-343-6950.

Chronic Pain Self-Management Workshops set to begin Nov. 8

Would you like to learn how to better manage chronic pain conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, back pain, headaches and more?

Lee Health’s “It’s All About You,” Chronic Pain Self-Management Program” a Self- Management Resource Program with the SMRC is offering a research based Chronic Pain Self-Management program for the community. The workshop is free and meets weekly for six weeks.

Information presented in the virtual workshop can help you become empowered to improve your quality of life. Learn how to more easily manage your medications; understand the benefits of exercise; manage symptoms of stress, pain and fatigue; and make smarter decisions related to health eating.

Participants will also receive a copy of the book “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Pain”.

The sessions will be held on Tuesdays beginning Nov. 8, from 1-3 p.m. (virtual session)

Please call 239-424-3121 for more information.

Alzheimer Association Caregiver Support Group meets Wednesdays

The Alzheimer Association will hold in-person Caregiver Support Group meetings the second Wednesdays of every month, from 1-2 p.m., starting Friday, Nov. 11, and continuing until Tuesday, Dec. 13.

The sessions will be held at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 2951 Trail Dairy Circle, North Fort Myers

Support groups create a safe, confidential, supportive environment or community and a chance for participants to develop informal mutual support and social relationships. They also educate and inform participants about dementia and help participants develop methods and skills to solve problems.

To register, call the Alzheimer Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.

Hope Healthcare honors National Hospice Month with ‘Secrets to Surviving the Season’ support group

The holiday season can be especially difficult for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. While others may enjoy the lights, laughter and joy of ongoing festivities, bereaved friends and family members often feel isolated and unhappy.

To address these special needs, Hope Healthcare is offering a three-part support group, Surviving the Season: Getting through Thanksgiving to the New Year after Loss.

Designed for adults ages 18 and older, this virtual workshop offers professional guidance for dealing with grief and loss when emotional triggers are commonplace. A bereavement counselor will help group members develop effective coping strategies, and art and music therapists will demonstrate creative techniques to adjust to challenging new circumstances.

The group project is open to the public at no cost, thanks to generous community support. Advance registration is required for the Zoom sessions, held Thursday Nov. 3 and 17 and Dec. 8 from 6-7:30 p.m.

To learn more or register, contact Lorrie.McCann@HopeHCS.org or call 239-985-7716.