Health notes
HEART MONTH: During February, which is American Heart Month, the American Heart Association, the leading volunteer health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all, is urging at least one person in every household to commit to learning hands-only CPR. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of the death in the United States. American Heart Month 2023 activities are designed to help motivate people to keep someone alive by learning the two simple steps it takes to save a life: call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest.
Because about 70 percent of cardiac arrests happen at home, odds are the person who needs CPR will be a family member or friend. Hands-only CPR is quick and simple to learn and can be performed by any family member or bystanders.
Visit heart.org/handsonlycpr to watch and share our Hands-Only CPR instructional video.
NARCONON OFFERS HELP: If you or a loved one are struggling with fentanyl or any other addictive drug, reach out for help. Narconon helps people all over the U.S. find treatment to end the web that traps those in addiction.
To learn what to look for visit: www.narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/poly-drug-use-why-its so-dangerous.html.
Narconon can help you take steps to overcome addiction in your family. Call today for free screenings or referrals, 1-800-431-1754.
LOCAL DENTIST TO GIVE KIDS A SMILE: Give Kids A Smile is an annual volunteer initiative providing free educational, preventive and restorative services to children from low-income families. Thousands of dentists across the country will take time from their practices to help underserved children who aren’t getting the oral health care they need.
Locally, Dr. Paul Bertolasio will offer appointments 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at his office, 26 E. Wilson Ave., Girard.
Give Kids a Smile focuses on the epidemic of untreated oral disease among disadvantaged children and delivers the message that dentists alone can’t solve this problem without a real commitment from government and society. It also provides an effective platform from which dental societies can advocate common sense, market-based solutions to local access problems.
For an appointment with Dr. Bertolasio, call 330-545-2000.
DIVORCE CARE GROUP: DivorceCare is a 13-week course / discussion group for those going through or have gone through a separation or divorce. It addresses through education and discussion the most common issues associated with divorce / separation and promotes powerful healing to build a new life filled with promise and hope.
DivorceCare will be offered from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for 13 consecutive Mondays, beginning Monday at St. Joseph Church in Austintown. You need not be a member of St. Joseph or any church to participate.
Contact Jim Merhaut at: jmerhaut@stjosephaustintown.org to reserve your spot, or visit the St. Joseph website, at: stjosephaustintown.org/divorcecare/, for more information and to register online. You may also call 330-792-1919. Meetings will in the Mackin Room in the St. Joseph School building. There is no fee for participation.
CELEBRATE RECOVERY: Celebrate Recovery, a support group to help those recovering from addiction or any kind of mental health issue, meets 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at 6779 Belmont Ave., Girard.
Health notes
SELF-HELP GROUP MEETS: Recovery International, a community-based, self-help mental health group, will meet 2 p.m. today at Michael Kusalaba Public Library, 2815 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown.
For more information, phone 330-747-1176.
NARCONON OFFERS HELP: Narconon helps people all over the United States find treatment to end addictions to Fentanyl or other narcotics. Visit www.narcononnewlife retreat.org/blog/poly-drug-use-why-itsso-dangerous.html.
For free screenings or referrals, call 800-431-1754.
NEW PROGRAM FROM ONEHEALTH OHIO: ONE Health Ohio is launching Platinum Health at its Lloyd McCoy location. Designed with seniors in mind, it combines medical, dental, behavioral health, physical therapy and other services in one location.
For more information, visit onehealthOhio.org or call 1-877-722-3303.
LOCAL DENTIST TO GIVE KIDS A SMILE: Give Kids A Smile is an annual volunteer initiative providing free educational, preventive and restorative services to children from low-income families. Thousands of dentists across the country will help underserved children who aren’t getting the oral health care they need. Locally, Dr. Paul Bertolasio will offer appointments 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 3 at his office, 26 E. Wilson Ave., Girard. Call 330-545-2000.
DIVORCE CARE GROUP: DivorceCare is a 13-week course / discussion group for those who are going through or have gone through a separation or divorce. It addresses through education and discussion the most common issues associated with divorce / separation and promotes powerful healing so that you can move on to build a new life filled with promise and hope.
DivorceCare meets 6:30 to 8 p.m. for 13 consecutive Mondays beginning Feb. 6 at St. Joseph Church in Austintown.
Contact Jim Merhaut at jmer haut@stjosephaustintown.org to reserve a spot, or visit
stjosephaustintown.org/divorcecare/ for more information and to register online. Or call 330-792-1919.
There is no fee for participation.
ALTA GROUP GIFT: Alta Care Group in Youngstown, the Valley agency committed to the social, emotional, behavioral, educational and physical wellbeing of children, adolescents, young adults and families in the community, recently was awarded $40,000 from the Children’s Mental Health Circle of Friends Foundation.
The gift will be used in support of Alta’s Camp Challenge and its new Functional Family Therapy services.
Camp Challenge is an Intensive Experiential Group Counseling Program designed to use behavior modification and cognitive behavioral therapy in group settings to improve behaviors. The program is designed for ages of 6 and 12.
For more information about Alta, visit altacaregroup.org.
SENIOR SUPPORT: The Senior Support Action Group is a volunteer-based program that provides services to homebound seniors in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana County. It provides monthly food boxes, transportation to medical appointments, and a phone pals companionship program. For more information or to sign up for services, call 330-424-7877, Ext. 2.
Park Vista is a continuing care retirement community. For more information, email jmarlowe@mcareparkvista.com or call 330-746-2944.
Health notes
COLLABORATIVE TO MEET: The OneOhio Region 7 Collaborative of the OneOhio Foundation for Trumbull and Mahoning counties will meet 5 p.m. today at Direction Home of Eastern Ohio, 1030 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown.
CELEBRATE RECOVERY: Celebrate Recovery, a support group to help those recovering from addiction or any kind of mental health issue, meets 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at 6779 Belmont Ave., Girard.
PARENT SUPPORT: Succeed, a support group for parents who have experienced the child welfare system, meets at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Newport Library, 3730 Market St., Youngstown. The library is not sponsoring or participating in this event.
Parents who are involved with Children Services discuss useful topics, help one another with community resources, and have social time to support one another.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Schmid or Theresa Pancoe at Mahoning County Children Services, 330-941-8888.
SELF-HELP GROUP MEETS: Recovery International, a community-based, self-help mental health group, will meet at 2 p.m. today at Michael Kusalaba Public Library, 2815 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown. For more information, phone 330-747-1176.
SUPPORT GROUP TO MEET: Multiple Myeloma Support group will meet at 6 p.m. Monday. Anyone interested in joining is asked to email: mgiambattista@yahoo.com.
TIPS ON DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY HOME: As part of National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is offering tips for creating a dementia-friendly home. Through a full-scale model dementia-friendly residence, AFA shows adaptations families can make.
Visit The Apartment page on AFA’s website at www.alzfdn.org/theapartment. The page includes a brief film tour along with “The Apartment: A Guide to Creating a Dementia-Friendly Home,” a free 20-page booklet that showcases each of the rooms with detailed, step-by-step summaries of dementia-friendly improvements.
Individuals can also contact AFA’s Helpline by phone, 866-232-8484; webchat, www.alzfdn.org; or text, 646-586-5283.
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: ONEHealth Ohio is launching a weight management program, ONEHealth FIT, at its Lloyd McCoy and Wick Avenue locations. The goal of ONE Health FIT is to take a multi-disciplinary approach to managing patients 18 or older with obesity and / or Type 2 diabetes, and to provide evidence-based, compassionate clinical care. For more information on ONEHealth FIT, visit ONEHealthFIT.org or call 877-722-3303.
NAMI OFFERS SUPPORT: National Alliance on Mental Illness Mahoning Valley offers support and education for individuals and families dealing with mental illness.
• Family To Family, for families dealing with a member who has mental illness, and Peer to Peer, for individuals dealing with mental illness, meet periodically.
•Connection support groups, 2:15 p.m. Thursdays, Community Center, 1344 Fifth Ave., Youngstown.
Email info@namimahoningvalley.org, call 330-727-9268 or visit the website at www.namimahoningvalley.org for information for more programs.
Health notes
CELEBRATE RECOVERY: Celebrate Recovery, a support group to help those recovering from addiction or any kind of mental health issue, meets 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at 6779 Belmont Ave., Girard.
PARENT SUPPORT: Succeed, a support group for parents who have experienced the child welfare system, will meet at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Newport Library, 3730 Market St., Youngstown. The library is not sponsoring or participating in this event.
Parents who are involved with Children Services discuss useful topics, help each other with community resources and have social time to support each other.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Schmid or Theresa Pancoe at Mahoning County Children Services, 330-941-8888.
SELF-HELP GROUP MEETS: Recovery International, a community-based, self-help mental health group, will meet at 2 p.m. Jan. 10 at Michael Kusalaba Public Library, 2815 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown. For more information, call 330-747-1176.
SUPPORT GROUP TO MEET: Multiple Myeloma Support group will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 16. Anyone interested in joining is asked to email
mgiambattista@yahoo.com.
MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY: Mercy Health-Youngstown announced the following mobile mammography screening dates in January:
• Today, 8 to 11 a.m., North Lima Primary Care, 9471 Market St., North Lima;
• Today, 12:30 to 2:15 p.m., Boardman Primary Care, 8423 Market St., Boardman;
• Wednesday, 8 to 11:15 a.m., Talsman Primary Care, 61 Talsman Drive, Canfield;
• Wednesday, 12:30 to 2:15 p.m., Canfield Primary Care, 3660 Stutz Drive, Canfield.
Screening mammograms are usually a covered benefit with most insurance carriers. Financial assistance for mobile screenings is also available.
For more information or to schedule a mammogram, call 330-480-2654.
TIPS ON DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY HOME: As part of National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is offering tips for creating a dementia-friendly home. Through a full-scale model dementia-friendly residence, AFA shows adaptations that families can make.
Visit The Apartment page on AFA’s website at www.alzfdn.org/theapartment. The page includes a brief film tour along with “The Apartment: A Guide to Creating a Dementia-Friendly Home,” a free 20-page booklet that showcases each of the rooms with detailed, step-by-step summaries of dementia-friendly improvements.
Individuals can also contact AFA’s Helpline by phone, 866-232-8484; webchat, www.alzfdn.org; or text, 646-586-5283.
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: ONEHealth Ohio is launching a weight management program, ONE Health FIT, at its Lloyd McCoy and Wick Avenue locations. The goal of ONE Health FIT is to take a multi-disciplinary approach to managing patients 18 or older with obesity and/or Type 2 diabetes, and to provide evidence-based, compassionate clinical care.
For more information on ONE Health FIT, visit ONEHealthFIT.org or call 877-722-3303.
NAMI OFFERS SUPPORT: National Alliance on Mental Illness Mahoning Valley offers support and education for individuals and families dealing with mental illness.
• Family To Family, for families dealing with a member who has mental illness, and Peer to Peer, for individuals dealing with mental illness, meets periodically;
• Connection support groups, 2:15 p.m. Thursdays, Community Center, 1344 Fifth Ave., Youngstown;
• Connection support groups, 6 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday of each month, Alta Care Building, 142 Javit Court, Austintown;
• Free yoga, noon to 1 p.m. second Friday of each month, 201 Wick Ave., Youngstown;
• Support through Expressive Arts, 6 pm. every third Monday, Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown;
• Daytime Family Support Group meets 11 a.m. the first Thursday of the month, Girard Library, 105 Prospect St., Girard;
• Evening Family Support Group meets 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month, Alta Care Building, 142 Javit Court, Austintown.
Email info@namimahoningvalley.org, call 330-727-9268 or visit the website at www.namimahoningvalley.org for more information.
SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS: The Alzheimer’s Association Greater East Ohio Area Chapter makes Alzheimer’s caregiver support groups available free to all caregivers, family members and friends with a loved one affected by the disease or another form of dementia.
The support groups meet at the following times and locations:
• North Jackson — 2 p.m. third Monday of the month, Antonine Sisters Adult Day Center, 2675 N. Lipkey Road;
• Canfield — 1:30 p.m. fourth Tuesday of the month, Canfield United Methodist Church, 27 S. Broad St.
Contact the Alzheimer’s Association 24 / 7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 for more information.
ALZHEIMER NETWORK: The Alzheimer Network has scheduled the following volunteer support groups for Alzheimer caregivers. Call 330-788-9755 for information on any of the meetings or to verify times and dates.
• Austintown — 7 p.m. second Tuesday of the month, Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2305 S. Canfield Niles Road;
• Boardman — 7 p.m. second Wednesday of the month, St. Charles Catholic Church, Boardman Canfield Road;
• Canfield — 10 a.m. fourth Friday of the month, Canfield Christian Church, 123 S. Broad St.;
• Girard — 6 p.m. third Tuesday of the month, Guiding Light Presbyterian Church, 890 Churchill Road;
• Howland — 10 a.m. first Wednesday of the month, Children’s Rehabilitation Center, 855 Howland Wilson Road;
• Poland — noon first Saturday of the month, Wickshire Senior Living, 355 W. McKinley Way, or call for time, third Thursday of the month, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2985 Center Road;
• Salem, 6:30 p.m. fourth Tuesday of the month, Emmanuel Education Building, 251 S. Broadway Ave.
In-person educational sessions are being offered to family members of persons with dementia. The Alzheimer Network is presenting sessions Oct. 22 and 29. Registration for the free presentations is required by calling 330-788-9755 for the Austintown location of the sessions.
FITNESS LOOP AT MALL: Southern Park Mall is partnering with Bios Wellness Urgent Care for the mall Fitness Loop 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays, beginning at the DeBartolo Commons entrance.
Free health screenings by Bios Wellness Urgent Care are offered at the mall on a monthly basis. Guests will be able to receive free blood pressure screenings, heart rate checks and the opportunity to chat with a medical professional.
PROGRAM TO DELIVER GOODS: Life is Good No Matter What helps adults with cancer in northeast Ohio who may be unable to leave their homes. The Good Delivery Program seeks to deliver goods in the form of dinner, flowers / plants, groceries, craft beer and up to $75 toward bills.
Both traditional escapes and the Good Delivery Program are open to all adults battling cancer. Visit www.lifeisgoodnomatterwhat.org to nominate someone or learn more.
FREE FITNESS PROGRAM: The Stepping Out Program offers free fitness classes and activities online and in person throughout the Mahoning Valley. Call Doris Bullock, project coordinator, at 330-720-3293 or email her at dibullock@mercy.com for information. For a schedule of virtual and in-person classes, visit www.mercy.com.