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 Lea Mae Rice at 703-917-6459.
The Ostomy Support Group of Northern Virginia, LLC offers its monthly support group meeting Dec. 3 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Physicians' Conference Center, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Fairfax. Socializing begins 1:30 p.m. Annual Holiday Festivities: features Bonnie LaMay of Sunrise Senior Living. Free. Ostomy nurse available for help and advice. Open to anyone interested. Park in Blue garage. For more information, group phone is 703-802-3457 or visit our Web site www.ostomysupportofnova.org.
Lamaze and Infant Care Class for expectant parents begins on Wednesday, Dec. 6, and runs through Dec. 20. The classes are held from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente, 6501 Loisdale Court #1100, Springfield. The class is a great way learn the essentials to ensure a successful birth and proper newborn care. To register, call DC Lamaze at 301-917-0991 or visit www.lamaze-dc.com.
Clifton Presbyterian Church presents an educational forum on “Caregiver Stress” Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. at the church, 12748 Richards Lane, Clifton. Led by Barbara DeAngelis, Alzheimer’s Association of the National Capital Area Chapter, and Carol Deal, Clifton Senior Friends Club. Free. For more, call 703-830-3175.
The Epilepsy Foundation sponsors support groups and classes for parents of children of all ages with seizure disorders, adults diagnosed with seizure disorders, and caregivers. All groups are free of charge. For additional information, call Dana at 703-425-6660 or go to www.abilitiesnetwork.org. Ongoing support groups include the following:
* Parents of children (Infants to 12-years-old) with seizure disorders meet on the second Tuesday of the month from 6-7 p.m., at West Springfield High School, Entrance 4, Room 021, 6100 Rolling Road in Springfield. The next meeting is Dec. 12.
* Parents of teens and adults with seizure disorders meets the second Tuesday of the month from 7:15--8:15 p.m., at West Springfield High School, Entrance 4, Room 021, 6100 Rolling Road in Springfield. The next meeting is Dec. 12.
* The Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group meets each Wednesday, from 7-8 p.m., at Falls Church High School, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church. Call 703-425-6660. The next meetings are Nov. 29; Dec. 6, 13.
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.
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.
Burke Internal Medicine, 5631 Burke Center Parkway, offers free health evaluations for individuals ages 55 and over who have no current health coverage. Included in the offer is a free cholesterol screening, blood pressure screening, diabetes screening, personal risk assessment and consultation. To make an appointment, call Dr. Nabil Andrawis or Dr. Nashwa Gabra at 703-250-5171.
Child Medications. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights aids parents who question the use of prescribed drugs for their children with mental "disorders" to improve educational performance or overall behavior. Call 1-800-869-2247 or visit www.fightforkids.org.
My Gym Children's Fitness Center of Burke now offers registration for its fall session. The fitness center offers fitness classes for children as well as birthday parties. For more information about My Gym of Burke or to register for fall classes, contact Valarie Jacobs at 703-425-5327.
The Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area accepts used car donations through its partner cars4charities. Call 1-866-448-3487 or visit www.cars4charities.org. Vehicles are towed away free of charge. Some restrictions apply.
Good Grief for Children 5-12 Years Old. Life with Cancer Family Center, Suite 203, Room B, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax., in the Merrifield area. This is the continuation of an eight-week series utilizing group activities and art therapy through which children can share thoughts and feelings to help with the grief process. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Lung Cancer Group. Join fellow lung cancer patients and family members to discuss the challenges of living with lung cancer and its treatments. Facilitated by an oncology counselor. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.com.
Weight Management. Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets Thursdays, at 6:45 p.m., at Bruen Chapel United Methodist Church, 3035 Cedar Lane, Fairfax. Annual membership is $20. Call 202-622-6042 or visit www.TOPS.org.
DivorceCare is offered as a support group at First Baptist Church of Springfield, 7300 Gary St., Springfield, each Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Church Parlor. Call the church office at 703-451-1500.
Social Skills/Therapy Group. In small groups, children who have difficulty in social situations because of ADHD or other challenges learn appropriate social behaviors such as initiating and maintaining conversation, listening, sharing, problem-solving, self-control, handling teasing, dealing with emotions and making friends. Classes are $55-$65 a session and may be insurance-reimbursable. Sponsored by the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, second floor. To register, call 703-204-9100.
Breastfeeding Mom's Group. New Mom and Baby topics, including breastfeeding. Experienced maternal-infant nurse/lactation consultant facilitates group discussions. Weekly prize drawing. Complimentary parking, baby weight check, refreshments and resource information. Groups meet on Thursdays, at 10:30 a.m., at Inova Fairfax Hospital Women's Center, 7 South Dayroom, 3300 Gallows Road. Cost is $5 per session. Call 703-776-MILK (6455).
Epilepsy Health Info. The Epiliepy Foundation of the Chesapeake region provides support groups and classes for parents of children (of all ages) with seizure disorders, adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and their caregivers. Free. For additional information call Diana at 703-425-6660 or go to www.abilitiesnetwork.org.
Divorce/Separation Group. Middle school boys and girls meet weekly to discuss issues related to their parents' separation/divorce. One meeting for parents. Thursdays; time and date to be announced. Sponsored by the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, second floor. To register, call 703-204-9100.
Young Widowhood Support Group. A support group for persons under the age of 50 who have been widowed two years or less, meets the second and fourth Monday of each month 7-8:30 p.m., at The Washington Regional Transplant Consortium, 8110 Gatehouse Road, Suite 101, W., Falls Church. It is an open group with an open agenda each meeting. Persons can join any time throughout the year, but it is important to register. Free of charge/free parking. RSVP to Lisa Colaianni at 703-641-0100.
Fairfax Sun and Moon Yoga Studio sponsors "Mindfulness Meditation Class" on Sundays at 7 p.m., at the studio, 9998 Main St., Fairfax. Free. E-mail ErikaKL@aol.com or call 703-864-2807.
Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia offers the Lebed method "Focus On Healing" classes Thursdays 6:15-7:30 p.m. Meets in the adult lounge at JCCNV, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Focus on Healing is a therapeutic program of exercise and movement to music designed especially for breast cancer survivors. First class is free. Call Jacki at 571-212-3347 or e-mail lebedmethod@verizon.net.
A support group in Burke will offer support and information to people caring for elderly or disabled adults, whether these loved ones live in their home, nearby residences or miles away. Meetings are free and open to the public. This caregivers support group meets on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, 1-2:30 p.m., at Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church, 10125 Lakehaven Court, Burke. Call 703-451-8631 or e-mail jjclement@earthlink.net.
Inova Blood Donor Services is open weekdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at its main location at 3289 Woodburn Road in Annandale. To inquire about appointments at a convenient donor center or blood drive, call 1-866-BLOOD SAVES (1-866-256-6372) or visit www.inova.org/donateblood.
Other Inova blood donation sites are:
* Inova Alexandria Hospital
4320 Seminary Road, Alexandria
703-504-3500
Hours: Monday and Wednesday; noon-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
* Inova Mount Vernon Hospital
2501 Parker's Lane, Alexandria
703-664-7229
Hours: Monday-Thursday; 4-7 p.m.
* CentreMed, Centreville
703-322-1970
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; noon-8 p.m.
Saturday; 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Registration for weekday and weekend Lamaze childbirth classes in Springfield is available at www.lamaze-dc.com or by calling 703-549-2226.
The Patriot Sports Medicine outpatient rehabilitation clinic in Burke can now provide the "Fenzian Treatment System," an electrical impulse technique that provides symptomatic relief and management of chronic and acute traumatic pain. Patriot Sports Medicine is located at 6035 Burke Centre Parkway, Suite 300, Burke. For more information, call 703-978-3300.
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 Greta at 703-204-4664 or visit www.alzheimersfdc.org/classes.htm.
King of Kings Lutheran Church, 4025 Kings Way, Fairfax, will conduct a support group for loved ones with Alzheimer's on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Call toll-free 1-866-272-3900 or visit www.alz-nca.org/fs/supgrpid.php. Support groups are subject to change. Contact the Alzheimer's Association prior to attending for the first time to verify date, time and location.
The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area offers the following support group opportunities:
* Fairfax Sully Group and Exercise Class. The Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets monthly on the fourth Saturday, from 10-11 a.m., with an exercise class at 11 a.m., at the Fair Oaks Sunrise Assisted Living Facility, 3750 Joseph Siewick Drive, Fairfax. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients and family members. Co-leaders are Bill Robbins 703-830-3823 and Darryl Edwards 703-378-9213. Visit www.parkinsonstories.com.
* Fairfax Little River Glen Group. The Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 1 p.m., at Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients, family members, and carepartners. No charge. Call Leon Paparella at 202-966-4450.
* The Springfield Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 2 p.m., at Greenspring Village, 7400 Spring Village Drive, Town Center Building, Music Room, Springfield. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients, family members and carepartners. Call Michel Margosis at 703-569-2630 or Mitch Mills at 703-913-0270.
* The Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets on the fourth Saturday of the month from 10-11 a.m., with an exercise class normally reserved at 11 a.m., at the Fair Oaks Sunrise Assisted Living Facility, 3750 Joseph Siewick Drive, Fairfax. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients and family members. For more information, contact Bill Robbins at 703-830-3823 or e-mail wbr_yanks@cox.net and Darryl Edwards at 703-378-9213. Visit www.parkinsonstories.com.
* Fairfax Little River Glen Exercise Class. The Parkinson's Disease Exercise Class meets weekday mornings at Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients, family members and carepartners. Call the LRG Senior Center at 703-503-8703.
TLC: Teens Living with Cancer. Monthly social activities for 13 to 18-year-olds who have cancer give them a chance to meet others with cancer, share a little, and have fun. Call 703-208-5623 for details. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Positive Changes Hypnosis offers free hypnosis screenings Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. with appointment. It also offers a complimentary nutrition class Thursdays 6-7:30 p.m. Lectures on specific health topics to be announced. Located at 4244 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. For questions contact Dr. Coleman at 703.352.5042.
Fibromyalgia/Arthritis Support Group. Meets the third Friday of each month at 1 p.m. at Pohick Library, 6450 Syndenstricker Road, Burke. Call Barbara at 703-913-0890 or Maxine at 703-451-4558.
Home Instead Senior Care offers pamphlets for seniors on how to prepare for disasters. The best protection for seniors and caregivers is to make a plan of action long before any emergency arises. To receive a free copy of "10 Ways to Help Seniors Prepare for Disaster," call Jason Sager at Home Instead Senior Care at 703-750-6644.
New Mom's Group. Meets at Inova Fairfax Hospital Women's Center, 7 South Dayroom, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. New mom and baby topics and concerns, including breast-feeding. Experienced maternal-infant nurse/lactation consultant facilitates the group discussions. Weekly prize drawing. Complimentary parking, baby weight check, refreshments and resource information. Ongoing, Thursdays 10:30 a.m.-noon. For the convenience of new moms, no preregistration needed. $5/session. Call 703-204-6455.
Brain Tumor Group, first Tuesday of the month at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. 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 are 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.
Fairfax County has partnered with Senior Navigator to provide up-to-date health and aging information and resources for seniors, adults with disabilities and caregivers in Virginia. Features include online access to nearly 19,000 public and private services in Virginia, hundreds of informative articles on health and aging, and an "Ask the Expert" feature that allows specialists to provide confidential answers to your questions. Visit www.seniornavigator.org.
Achieve Fitness is offering free trial classes for its women-only outdoor fitness boot camps in Fairfax Station. To register, visit www.womensonlyfitness.com or call 1-888-872-7961. E-mail bobf@achieve-fitness.com.
Body and Soul aerobics and strength training classes meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9-10:30 a.m., at Burke Community Church, 9990 Old Keene Mill Road. Body and Soul is a complete cardiovascular and strength workout to contemporary Christian music. Call Suzann Albanese at 703-372-2332.
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.
La Leche League of Burke, Northern Virginia's only weekend La Leche League meeting meets Saturday of each month, at 9:30 a.m. at the Burke Presbyterian Church, 5690 Oak Leather Drive, Burke. The breastfeeding support group offers help and support to mothers who are currently breastfeeding a child or anyone who plans to breastfeed. Expectant and new mothers are encouraged to attend. Free. Contact Leslie at 703-256-2754 or Marisa at 703-323-7301.
NOVACO Transitional Housing is a non-profit program for victims of domestic abuse. Through HUD funding and community and church donations, the organization offers a comprehensive two-year transitional housing program for families including counseling, education for job enhancement, life skills training and child care. All clients receive follow-up counseling for up to two years after graduation from the program. Call 202-723-3000.
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 one week's stay to several months. 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.
VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Northern Virginia offers pet therapy and a multilingual staff to patients and families living in the City of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties. Volunteers should contact the program office at 703-788-6680 for opportunities to participate in patient care. Families may call 800-93-VITAS for more information about hospice or to schedule a free consultation.
HAVEN of Northern Virginia sponsors the following bereavement support groups. HAVEN of Northern Virginia is located at 4604 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 from 2-3:30 p.m. or on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9 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.
* One on One Support. A volunteer will meet with a person grieving the death of a loved one, as needed, to provide individual support. Volunteers will be carefully selected to match individual needs.
Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA) is a full-service agency for all seniors regardless of faith, race, or economic means. It offers a database of senior resources and services as well as certified specialists. Visit www.jcagw.org. Programs include:
* Rose Benté Lee Senior HelpLine, 703-425-0999. Free information about senior centers, support groups, homecare services, and nursing homes.
* SeniorNet offers affordable computer and Internet training programs developed by seniors for seniors at two Virginia locales, with new classes starting continuously. 240-395-0916.
* Active Living Every Day courses help improve health and well being by incorporating physical activity into the daily routine are available at several Northern Virginia locations. 301-255-4205.
* Connect-A-Ride gives complete information about available senior transportation services in Fairfax County and eligibility at 703-323-6494.
* The ElderBus program provides limited, low-cost bus transportation to grocery stores. JCA can arrange group transportation for low rates in wheelchair-accessible buses. 301-468-6280.
Lamaze classes will be on Wednesday nights at Kaiser in Springfield. Weekend classes are also available. Call 301-352-9727 to register.
Northern Virginia Community College is awarding scholarships to child care providers through a program sponsored by the Virginia Department of Social Services. The goal is to produce well-trained child care providers in an effort to lead those individuals to future success and assist parents. Details are available at http://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/cc/scholarship.html or call 866-636-1608 (toll-free) for more information.
The Jewish Social Service Agency sponsors services for older adults in Northern Virginia, including in-home support services such as Meals on Wheels, nonsectarian geriatric care management services and counseling for seniors and their family. Call 703-204-9100. The Jewish Social Service Agency is located at 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax.
Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Support Group. Meets the third Monday of the month from 10-11:30 a.m., at Manor Care of Fair Oaks, 12475 Lee Jackson Highway. Facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. Support groups allow families to meet other caregivers, to share experiences and care giving tips while developing coping skills. Caregivers and family members are invited to visit. Call Anita Newsome, group leader, at 703- 352-7172 prior to attending for the first time.
CanSurvive. Life with Cancer sponsors a patient-led, drop-in lunchtime general cancer support group for those dealing with any type of cancer on Thursdays at noon, at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 301-610-9146 or visit www.can-survive.net.
Thyroid Cancer Support Group. Open to thyroid cancer survivors and their adult loved ones to share information and support in this monthly meeting co-sponsored by the Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association. Call 1-877-588-7904.
Spirituality Quest. This support group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841.
Multiple Myeloma Group meets monthly to discuss experiences, emotions and challenges of living with multiple myeloma. The Life With Cancer Family Center is located at 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841.
Breast Cancer Group at the Inova Fairfax Woman's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road. Call 703-698-2841.
Metastatic Breast Cancer support groups provide a closed group setting with other women living with metastatic breast cancer, take place on Thursdays and Fridays. Registration is required. Call Sage Bolte at 703-208-5620.
Birthmothers is an outreach ministry for pregnant women serving Fairfax county. They match pregnant women with a specially trained friend who listens to concerns about being pregnant, the baby's father and the future. The group also connects women with practical assistance like low-cost prenatal care, housing resources or legal aid. Birthmothers is confidential and free. Call 1-877-77BIRTH.
Parent-to-Parent. A support group for parents of young children with special needs, co-sponsored by Jewish Social Service Agency and the Board of Jewish Education, Northern Virginia. Fourth Friday of every month at a location to be announced. $65/individual, $90/couple for entire series, $10/session for drop-ins. Call 301-255-1944.
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.
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.