Health Bulletin: COVID-19 and flu clinics, music therapy, Pilates and ‘Positive Psychology’

This Week

SHRD Pediatric COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination Clinic – Appointments are required. Open to the community for ages 5-18. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine will be available. Schedule an appointment at srhd.org/events. Available at several dates and locations. Thursday, 3:30-5:30 p.m.: Northwood Middle School, 12908 N. Pittsburg St.; Wednesday, 2:30-5 p.m.: Trent Elementary School, 3303 N. Pines Road, Spokane Valley; Nov. 18, 4-6:30 p.m.: Cheney High School, 460 N. Sixth St., Cheney. (509) 324-1500.

Safe Start Northwest Webinar: “Car Seat Safety 101” – Learn how to choose the correct car seat, the safest place to install your car seat, when to graduate to the next size seat and more. Visit safestartnw.org for details and registration. Thursday, 6-7 p.m. Free. (206) 582-6191.

An Evening of Music Therapy: Connecting Heart With Mind – Music therapists Judith Pinkerton and Jacquelyn Claxton demonstrate how music can be used within therapeutic relationships to reduce anxiety, depression, grief and anger, as well as support motor and speech skills in children. Friday, 5-8 p.m. Music Conservatory of Coeur d’Alene, 627 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene. Free. (208) 901-8190.

AARP Virtual Class: “Pilates Anytime: Feet & Knees, Keys to Stability & Balance” – Learn how to strengthen the relationship between foot and knee alignment for proper stability, strength and balance. Visit local.aarp.org/spokane-wa/aarp-events to register. Monday, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free.

AARP Virtual Lecture: “Positive Psychology – The Science of Happiness” – Catherine Sanderson of Amherst College will describe research from the field of positive psychology on the factors that do (and do not) predict happiness and provide practical ways to increase your own psychological well-being. Visit local.aarp.org/spokane-wa/aarp-events to register. Tuesday, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Safe Start Northwest Webinar: “Safe Sleep 101” – Learn how to keep infants safe during sleep. Review the American Academy of Pediatric Safe Infant Sleep recommendations and get answers to sleep safety questions. Visit safestartnw.org for details and registration. Tuesday, 6-7 p.m. Free. (206) 582-6191.

AARP Webinar: “How to Plan For Medicare When You’re Still Working” – Explore your Medicare options and how to prepare for the future while you’re still working. Find guidance and learn what to consider when choosing the best Medicare plan for you. Visit local.aarp.org/spokane-wa/aarp-events to register. Tuesday, 7-8 p.m.

Alzheimer’s Association Webinar: “Spirituality a Powerful Tool” – Part of the Wellness Wednesday series. This session will discuss the importance of developing the “spirituality muscle” and learn how to use it in our day-to-day life to find more peace and joy. Visit alz.org/alzwa/helping_you/education to register. Wednesday, 1-1:45 p.m.

Alzheimer’s Virtual Town Hall – Learn about federal and state policies that impact individuals and families facing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Followed by a Q&A. Registration required at alzwa.org/townhalls. Wednesday, 4-5 p.m. Presented by the Alzheimer’s Association. Free.

Safe Start Northwest Webinar: “Child Safety 101” – Taught by Clair Bennett, American Heart Association certified CPR/First Aide instructor and certified childbirth instructor. Learn how to properly give CPR per American Heart Association guidelines, help a choking infant or young child, react to severe allergic reactions and how to use an epi-pen and treat seizures, bleeding, eye injuries and more. The last 35 minutes of class are optional and will focus on newborn care, including feeding, soothing a fussy baby, swaddling and early baby care. Visit safestartnw.org for details and registration. Wednesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. (206) 582-6191.

Alzheimer’s Association Webinar: “Dementia Conversations” – Get tips for breaking the ice with and starting a conversation about a loved one who is showing signs of dementia. Learn how to navigate difficult topics such as going to the doctor for a diagnosis or medical treatment, deciding when to stop driving and making legal and financial plans for future care. Visit alz.org/alzwa/events for details and registration. Nov. 18, 1-2:30 p.m. Free.

Safe Start Northwest Webinar: “Car Seat Safety 101” – Learn how to choose the correct car seat, the safest place to install your car seat, when to graduate to the next size seat and more. Visit safestartnw.org for details and registration. Nov. 18, 6-7 p.m. Free. (206) 582-6191.

Ongoing

Parenting/childbirth

Prepared Childbirth Classes – Covers prenatal care, nutrition, stages of labor, pain management, breathing, Cesarean birth, post-delivery care, infant CPR, newborn care and lactation. Classes are 7-9 p.m. for the Wednesday sessions and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for the Saturday classes. Classes run in six-week cycles or Saturday classes. This class is at Valley Hospital Health & Education Center, 12606 E. Mission Ave., Spokane Valley. For more information, email francklm@empirehealth.org and call (509) 309-6038. $60 per person or couple.

Deaconess Classes – Deaconess Hospital offers a variety of virtual classes for new parents, including Preparing for Childbirth, Life With Baby, Daddy 101 Breastfeeding and more. Visit multicare.org/classes-events for details. MultiCare Deaconess Hospital, 800 W. Fifth Ave. Free. (509) 473-BABY.

Early Support for Infants and Toddlers – Provided by Spokane Regional Health District. Services and screenings are available for children ages 3 and younger suspected to have developmental delays, disabilities or special needs. Early intervention service providers evaluate functional areas such as cognitive, motor, social-emotional, speech and language, vision and hearing. Learn more at srhd.org/programs-and-services/infant-toddler-network and call (509) 324-1651.

Holy Family Hospital Maternity Center Tour – In-person tours have been canceled until further notice. To take a virtual tour, visit providence.org/locations/wa/holy-family-hospital/family-maternity-center. (509) 482-0111.

MultiCare Breastfeeding Support Services – Lactation consultants are available by appointment in-person or virtually. Valley Hospital appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Call (509) 473-5706 to schedule. Deaconess Hospital appointments are available Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Call (509) 473-7056 to schedule. Deaconess Hospital also offers a free, walk-in clinic (including pre- and post-feeding baby weigh-ins), Thursdays 10 a.m.-noon. Visit multicare.org/services-and-departments/pregnancy/womens-care-pregnancy-after/womens-care-pregnancy-breastfeeding to learn more.

La Leche League – The breastfeeding support group has suspended in-person meetings until further notice, but volunteers are available to answer questions. Visit lllwa.org/groups/la-leche-league-spokane for volunteer contact information and facebook.com/spokanelll for current events and meeting updates, and call (509) 761-9181.

Cancer support

Providence Health Support Groups – Meeting virtually and in-person. General Cancer Support Group: for patients, caregivers or family members impacted by cancer. Gynecological Cancer Support Group: for women battling or in recovery from gynecological cancers. Meeting virtually and in-person. For more information, call (509) 474-5490.

Look Good … Feel Better – A program offered by the American Cancer Society to help women diagnosed with cancer learn how to apply cosmetics and choose wigs and other head wear. All in-person workshops are on hold through December 2021. Virtual workshops are available at lookgoodfeelbetter.org/programs.

General Health

Alzheimer’s Association Helpline – In Spokane, call (800) 272-3900, a 24-hour help line available seven days a week.

Children’s Environmental Health Network – Website offers information on organizations active in various fields, sources of data on child health and environmental hazards and more, cehn.org or call (202) 543-4033, email at cehn@cehn.org.

Compulsive Eaters Anonymous – Lose weight in a fast and healthy way with a doctor-approved food plan. Meets on Zoom on Saturdays from 9-10 a.m. and Mondays from 7-8 p.m. Kootenai Health Resource, 2003 Kootenai Health Way, Coeur d’Alene. Free. Call (208) 818-4242 or email debraraeth7@gmail.com for meeting information and Zoom access.

CPR, First Aid and Automated External Defibrillator Classes – Offered by the American Red Cross. Visit redcross.org for class schedules. Inland Northwest Chapter, 315 W. Nora Ave. Cost is $35-$55, call (509) 326-3330 ext. 216. Online and in-person classes available.

Diabetes Education – Community Health Education and Resources offers group or individual instruction on diabetes self-management. Course is for clients and their families who are new to diabetes. Call (509) 232-8145 or (509) 232-8138 for class times, dates and locations.

Fit for Retirement – Phoenix Training offers small classes and one-on-one training for those of retirement age who want more than seated chair exercises. For a full list of class schedules, visit phoenixtrainingofspokane.com and call (208) 659-1990.

Food Addicts Anonymous – A support group for those addicted to eating. All who experience an overeating addiction are welcome. Meets virtually via Zoom on Mondays at 7 p.m. Participants can join via video conference or by calling. Ask for Sue Everson at (509) 328-0702 for information.

Health for All – This community-based health care access project links uninsured individuals and families in Eastern Washington with state health insurance programs and assists those who do not qualify for state-sponsored coverage by linking them with appropriate community resources. Call (866) 444-3066; in Spokane County, call (509) 444-3066.

Heritage Health – Is a nonprofit health center in Coeur d’Alene providing medical, mental and behavioral health and dental services to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. For more information and to make an appointment, call the Center at (208) 620-5250 and visit myheritagehealth.org.

Grief Support Group – Offered by Hospice of North Idaho the second Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m. For more information, visit hospiceofnorthidaho.org/news/. Masks are required. Shoshone Medical Center, 25 Jacobs Gulch, Kellogg.

INHS Community Wellness – Offers health coaching and screenings and classes such as Babysitting Basics, Pre-Diabetes, Living Well With Diabetes and more. For a full list of classes and events, visit wellness.inhs.org and call (509) 232-8145.