Free health classes through December; end of life symposium tackles medical considerations; and health tips at Meeting Place

Springfield Medical Care Systems offer the following free health and wellness classes October through December. The classes meet at Springfield Health Center, 100 River St., Springfield, unless otherwise noted.

Springfield Medical Care Systems at 100 River Street.

Classes include:

Healthier Living with Chronic Conditions is Chronic Disease Self-Management
Thursdays, Oct. 1–Nov. 5, from 9:30 a.m.–noon. Lunch provided.
The Fireplace Room, Rockingham Medical Group, 1 Hospital Court, Bellows Falls

Learning to Live Well with Diabetes
4-week program; Two sessions
Session 1: Mondays, Oct. 5–26, from 5:30–7 p.m.
Session 2: Wednesdays, Nov. 4–25, from 10 –11:30 a.m.

Wellness Recovery & Action Plan
Mondays, Oct. 12– Nov. 30, from 5–8 p.m. Light refreshments provided.

Weight Loss & Wellness for Adults
This five-session series runs Wednesdays, Oct. 14–Nov.11, from 5:30–7 p.m.

Tobacco Cessation for Moms and Expectant Moms
Wednesdays, Oct. 28–Nov. 18, 5:30–6:30 p.m. Light refreshments provided.
Parent Child Center Conference Room, 6 Main St., North Springfield

Healthier Living with Chronic Pain
Tuesdays, Nov. 3–Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. –12:30 p.m. Lunch provided at Springfield Hospital.
The Meeting House at Springfield Hospital, 25 Ridgewood Road, Springfield,

Wellness/Lifestyle Change Support Group
2nd Tuesday of each month; first two classes: Tuesday, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8
from 5:45–7 p.m.

Cooking Healthier for the Holidays
Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 5:30–7 p.m.

There is no charge for any program but registration is requested. Contact the Community Health Team for more information or to register by calling 802-886-8946 or emailing cht@springfieldmed.org.

Symposium tackles medical considerations

The Managing Life’s Final Decisions symposium continues Tuesday, Oct. 6 with a presentation on medical considerations lead by Linda Wilcox from Springfield Hospital, Dr. Daniel Coloras from Visiting Nurse Association Hospice program and a VNA nurse. All events will be held from 6:30–8 p.m. at the Newsbank Conference Center, 352 Main St., in Chester. Admission is free.

The symposium is designed to help senior citizens, families and support networks begin the difficult discussion of these topics. The speakers have extensive experience in helping to define the questions and seeking their answers.

Other symposium topics are:

Oct. 20:  Alzheimer’s  by Maggie Lewis, regional director, Alheizmer’s Association, Vermont Chapter

Nov. 3:  Funeral/Memorial Decisions by Scott Page, director of Davis Memorial Chapel

Nov. 17:  Financial and Legal by attorney William Dakin, of Dakin and Benelli, and Ron Theissen of Skygate Financial Group LLC

Call 802-875-6341 for more information or transportation arrangements.

Oct. 8: Health maintenance tips offered at Meeting Place

At 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, Dr. Lynn Lind, doctor of naturopathic and integrative medicine, will speak at the Meeting Place at Neighborhood Connections about flu prevention, Seasonal Affective Disorder, the common cold and other seasonal afflictions. The Meeting Place is located 5700 Mountain Marketplace in Londonderry.

Dr. Lind will offer natural and home remedies to help not only ward off common seasonal conditions but also help you recover quickly if you are feeling ill.

Space is limited, call 802-824-4343 or e-mail schwartzmary02@gmail.com to register.

Neighborhood Connections is a community-based, non-profit social services agency serving individuals and families in the area mountain towns of south-central Vermont. For more information visit their website at www.neighborhoodconnections.org.

–Compiled by Susan Lampe-Wilson