<lst>Know something that should be listed in Health & Fitness? Send a brief write-up to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA, 22102, fax to 703-917-0991 or call Jon Whiten at 703-917-6422.
Fairfax County Public Schools and the county’s Department of Family Services offer support groups for grandparents and other relatives raising grandchildren. The groups run from October-January. A beginning session meets on Thursday, Oct. 20, from 7-8:30 p.m., at the Bryant Alternative High School, 2709 Popkins Lane, Alexandria. Free child care is available to pre-registered participants. To register, call 703-277-2640. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/aaa.
The Fairfax Caregiver Seminar Consortium sponsors a series of seminars for caregivers of older adults. Seminars take place at various times and locations in Fairfax County, from September-November. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/aaa or call 703-324-7948; TTY 703-449-1186. To register for one or more seminars, call 703-324-5205; TTY 703-449-1186.
A Reiki "First Degree" course, taught in Spanish, is Oct. 14-15, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Road in Oakton. The course will be led by Juanita C. Acevedo, master teacher, and costs $200. Call 703-273-5127.
Safeway presents its annual flu clinic campaign at stores throughout the mid-Atlantic region through Nov. 18. The clinics will offer customers (ages 12 and above) a choice of flu or pneumonia vaccinations. Shots will be administered in compliance with the Centers for Disease Control priority guidelines that gives highest priority to persons over the age of 65. As in previous years, no cost is assessed for Medicare Part B beneficiaries who simply present their card at the flu clinic and complete a roster billing form. Non-Medicare participants will be charged $25 for flu shots and $35 for the pneumonia vaccine.
Registered nurses will administer the shots at all Safeway locations. The dates and locations are:
* 5727 Burke Centre in Burke, on Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 3-7 p.m.
* 103550 Willard Way in Fairfax, on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
* 3043 Nutley St. in Fairfax, on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Monday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
* 9596 Old Keene Mill Road in Burke, on Thursday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Friday, Nov. 4, from 3-7 p.m.
* 12200 Fairfax Towne in Fairfax, on Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Friday, Nov. 4, from 3-7 p.m.
* 9525 Braddock Road in Burke, on Sunday, Nov. 6, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
* 5204 Port Royal Road in Springfield, on Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 10, from 3-7 p.m.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia sponsors an Epilepsy Awareness Stroll Saturday, Nov. 5, beginning at 9 a.m. at Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston. For more or to register, visit www.epilepsyfoundation.org/virginia, or call 703-328-5007 or e-mail jwlannen@comcast.net.
The Ostomy Support Group of Northern Virginia's monthly meeting, "Skin Care and Complications," is Sunday, Nov. 6, from 1:30-3:30 p.m., at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road in Falls Church. Call 703-802-3457 or visit www.novachapteruoa.org.
Alzheimer's Family Day Center, located at 2812 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, hosts various classes. Reservations are required, and classes are open to people who are caring for a relative or friend with dementia. For more, call 703-204-4664 or visit www.alzheimersfdc.org/classes.htm.
HAVEN of Northern Virginia sponsors the following bereavement support groups. HAVEN of Northern Virginia is located at 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. For more information, call 703-941-7000 or visit www.havenofnova.org:
* Widow/Widower Bereavement Support Groups, for anyone grieving the death of a spouse. Meetings take place on the first and third Thursday of the month or on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The next Tuesday meetings take place Oct. 25 and Nov. 8, from 7:30-9 p.m. The next Thursday meetings take place Oct. 20 and Nov. 3, from 2-3:30 p.m.
* Suicide Survivors Bereavement Support Group, for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide, meets the first Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9 p.m. Next meeting takes place Nov. 1.
Mothers & More is a support group for women who have altered their career path to care for their young children at home. The group offers playgroups, children's and family activities, guest speakers, book club, mom's night out, movie night, chat group and more. For more information, call 1-866-716-7766 or visit www.novamoms.org. The group meets at the following:
* The third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m., in the Braddock Hall at the Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. The next meeting is Oct. 19.
* The first Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m., at the Fairfax County Government Center. Next meeting is Nov. 3.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society sponsors the “First Connection” program, which matches patients newly diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma or another blood-related cancer — and their families — with cancer survivors who have lived through a similar illness. For more information on this program, call 703-960-1100, ext. 231.
Food Addicts In Recovery Anonymous is a program for individuals recovering from addictive eating and anorexia based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. There are no dues, fees or weigh-ins at our meetings. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m., at Westwood Baptist Church, 8200 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. Call 1-877-805-2823 for more information and other times and locations.
Sunrise Assisted Living of Fairfax offers a short-term stay program for aging persons. Fees vary depending on the community and personal care needs. Three meals per day are included. Program is designed for a week's stay to several months. For more information, call 703-691-0046. Sunrise of Fairfax is located at 9207 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax.
Individual Nutrition Counseling. Schedule an individual appointment with registered dietitian Julie Thorsen from Inova Fairfax Cancer Center's Cancer Patient Nutrition Support Program and learn how to optimize your nutritional status related to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Call 703-289-8787 to schedule an appointment.
Short-term Counseling Services offers an opportunity to discuss the challenges that follow a cancer diagnosis and to explore effective ways of coping. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Life with Cancer office at 703-698-2820.
Brain Tumor Group, first Tuesday of the month at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St. Adult patients and families are invited to share and learn ways to meet the challenges of living with primary malignant or benign brain tumors. For more information, call 703-698-2841.
The Caregivers Meeting. Weekly drop-in group for family members and friends of those with cancer to discuss various concerns. Wednesdays, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Inova Fairfax Hospital in the Radiation Oncology Conference Room. Use the blue garage. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Groups. Facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. For schedules, call 1-866-259-0042.
Burke/Springfield/Fairfax Compassionate Friends Support Group. Friendship and understanding to families grieving the death of a child. The support group meets monthly at St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church, 5222 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, at 7:30 p.m. Call 703-425-9504.
Birth Mother’s Support Group. Meets weekly in Northern Virginia. It is for any woman who has ever placed a child in adoption and would like to meet with others who have done the same. The group will be led by a licensed clinical social worker and a national certified counselor. Call Pat Cunningham or Stephanie Hayden at Catholic Charities at 703-425-0100. A modest fee is charged based on income.
Recovery Inc. A nonprofit support group for depression, bipolar disorder and other nervous disease meets every Friday at Boulevard Baptist Church, 7000 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church. Contact Lee at 703-777-1708.
Chapter 5300 of the AARP. Meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Greenspring Retirement Community in Springfield in the theater at Village Square at 1 p.m.
The Women’s Center of Vienna offers a number of classes and workshops designed to help navigate the different aspects of separation and divorce, starting in April and continuing through August at various locations in Vienna, Fairfax and McLean. Some of the program topics include Divorce Through Mediation, Divorce Without Litigation, Dollars and Sense of Divorce, Financial Planning for Separation and Divorce, Helping Your Child Cope With Separation and Divorce, Legal Aspects of Child Support and Understanding Your Right To Marital Assets and others. Visit www.thewomenscenter.org or call 703-281-2657.
Home Safety Survey. An opportunity to spot fire or life safety hazards. The life safety education officer or a City of Fairfax fire inspector will perform a home walk-through to inspect all smoke detectors, review fire escape plans, check to see that all emergency numbers are posted, scan for other safety hazards and make suggestions to remedy any problems. Call Lt. John Henderson at 703-273-8109 to make an appointment.