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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Health Bulletin for Feb. 10-17 – Dementia, infants and toddlers and health and wellness

Eight-month-old Elijah Pettit rides in a shopping cart in the toy room at the Christmas Bureau on Dec. 7 at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center. After operating remotely in 2020 because of COVID-19, the annual charity that gives away toys to kids from infants to 17 years old and food vouchers for the family is back again with health protocols in place. The gifts and vouchers are given to every family regardless of income.  (Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review)
By Allyssa Dotson The Spokesman-Review

Health

Low Impact Aerobics – An ongoing class for seniors. Mondays at 10:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 10 a.m., Zion Lutheran Church, 8304 E. Buckeye Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 926-5407.

Smart Driver Virtual Course – A refresher course on driving with topics covering safe driving strategies, the effects of medication while driving, preventative measures to reduce driver distractions, state-specific rules and regulations and more. Taught by a live instructor. Register at bit.ly/3leaMCB. Thursday, Monday and Feb. 17 10 a.m.-noon. Presented by AARP. Free.

Health Equity Listening Sessions – Department of Health is leading conversations for anyone who may have experienced health inequities or racism in the health care system to participate in listening sessions. Hosted via Microsoft Teams, for more information, contact healthequityimplementation@doh.wa.gov Thursday and Feb. 15, 10-11 a.m. Presented by the Department of Health.

Dementia Conversations – Learn about how to discuss important issues with family such as going to the doctor for diagnosis or medical treatment, deciding when to stop driving and making legal and financial plans for future care. Register at bit.ly/3mUOPdc. Thursday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Presented by the Alzheimer’s Association. Free. (800) 272-3900.

Infant Group – Mom and baby group, designed for babies who are less than 1 year old. Friday, 10-11:30 a.m. Nurture Lactation, 2607 S. Southeast Blvd., #B150. Free. (509) 954-5337.

Health and Wellness Series: Vitals and Hand Hygiene – Learn about proper hand washing and how to prevent the spread of germs using Glo Germ Powder. Led by Mobius instructors and student pharmacists from Washington State University’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mobius Discovery Center, 331 N. Post St. Free. (509) 321-7133.

Parenting/childbirth

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 or 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.

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 or facebook.com/spokanelll for events and meeting updates or call (509) 761-9181.

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, 8am – 4pm. 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.

New Mom’s Groups – Available for mothers of infants younger than 1, as well as mothers of toddlers 1 and older, providing friendship, playtime and good conversation. Both groups are free, open to all and don’t require registration. Every other Friday, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Visit nurturespokane.com for details and class dates. Nurture Lactation Spokane, 2607 S. Southeast Blvd., Suite B150.

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. Virtual workshops are available at lookgoodfeelbetter.org/programs.

Chiropractic care

Free Scoliosis Screening – The progression of scoliosis can be slowed or stopped and reversed in most cases without surgery. Use this opportunity to have your child evaluated. Call Mark Guthrie at (509) 327-8188.

Half Hour to Health – Learn how to improve your nutrition, decrease your toxic exposure and intake, how the nervous system plays a role in your health and how chiropractic can improve your quality of life. Held each Monday at 6 p.m. Clear Chiropractic, 2503 E. 27th Ave. Free. (509) 315-8166.

Health

Arc of Spokane – Various programs offered to promoted independence and enhanced quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Various programs are available for community activities, family support, advocacy, training, teen and young adults and more. Learn more at arc-spokane.org or call (509) 328-6326.

Alzheimer’s Association Support Groups – Available in-person and via Zoom. Deer Park: second Wednesday of each month, 1-2:30 p.m. Contact Paul J. Dionne at (509) 290-1816; Spokane North: second and fourth Mondays of each month, 1-2:30 p.m. Contact Paul Dionne at (509) 290-1816; Spokane Downtown: third Tuesday of each month, 1:30-3 p.m. Contact Joel Loiacono at (509) 321-4581. For more information, visit alzwa.org. To register, call (800) 272-3900.

Children’s Environmental Health Network – Web site 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 will offer small classes or one-on-one training for those of retirement age that want more than seated chair exercises. For a full list of class schedules, visit phoenixtrainingofspokane.com or call (208) 659-1990.

Fitness Classes – Offered by Spokane Parks and Recreation. Classes include Zumba fitness/strength training combo, Zumba fitness, body blast, body fit, abs core xpress, and sweat, flex and stretch. Held at various times and locations. Visit my.spokanecity.org/recreation or call (509) 625-6200 to register or for more information. Virtual classes available.

Food Addicts Anonymous – A support group for those addicted to eating. All who experience an overeating addiction are welcome. Meets virtually via Zoom Mondays at 7 p.m. Participants can join via video conference or by calling in. 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 – Nonprofit health center in Coeur d’Alene provides medical, mental and behavioral health and dental services to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. For more information or to make an appointment, call the center at (208) 620-5250 or 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, ID.

INHS Community Wellness – Offers health coaching, health screenings and a variety of 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 or call (509) 232-8145.

Ostomy Support Group – Meetings are on Zoom until further notice. First Tuesdays, January through November, 6:30-8 p.m. Visit inlandnwostomy.org for details.

Overeaters Anonymous – Is food a problem for you? Do you binge eat for no apparent reason? Is food affecting your life? Free support group, no fees, no weigh-ins, no diets. Call (509) 328-9972 or visit oa.org for more information.

Providence Adult Day Health – Offers structured programs designed to meet the needs of physically, mentally and functionally impaired adults and elderly by providing social services, nursing, rehabilitation, therapeutic recreation and a hot meal at noon. Providence ElderPlace, 6018 N. Astor St. (509) 482-2475.

Speech, Language and Hearing Screenings – Resources for evaluating speech and hearing, for children and adults. Appointments required. Learn more at medicine.wsu.edu/university-hearing-and-speech-clinic. WSU Spokane, Health Sciences Building, 310 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Call (509) 828-1323.

Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors HelpLine – The SHIBA HelpLine is free, confidential and impartial counseling with trained volunteers to help callers understand their health care and health insurance rights and options. Call (509) 458-2509 at Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington or the SHIBA HelpLine at (800) 562-6900.

Striders – A community walking and exercise program promoting fitness, fun, friends and health education since 1995. Meets Mondays and Wednesdays, September through May, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Millwood Community Presbyterian, 3223 N. Marguerite Road, Millwood. Cost is $15 per year and $2 for each exercise class attended. For more information, call Carol at (509) 926-1697 or Judy at (509) 892-1293.

Drug and alcohol

Al-Anon – For family and friends with the disease of alcoholism. For 24-hour information and support, call (509) 456-2125 or (888) 425-2666 or visit wa-al-anon.org.

Alcoholics Anonymous – For 24-hour information and support, call (509) 624-1442. Visit aaspokane.org for meeting schedules and for more information.

Quit and Win Tobacco Program – Free program offers classes two times a month, flexible quit dates, chances to win prizes at each class once you quit and support to help you quit and stay quit. All classes held virtually until further notice. Providence Health Center, 501 N. Riverpoint Ave. (509) 473-6007.

Nicotine Anonymous – A support group for those trying to live without smoking, vaping or chewing. Meets Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. All meetings are virtual until further notice. Visit nicotine-anonymous.org/video-conference-meetings for meeting log-in information or call (509) 220-6371 for assistance.

Contributions to Health Bulletin Board should be mailed attention to Health Bulletin Board, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210, or emailed to features@spokesman.com. Deadline for Thursday publication is noon the previous Thursday.