November 2009


What's So Great About Growing Old?
Join Sarasota Memorial nurse educator Marilyn Tait for a free community presentation, “Better With Age – Winning Ways to Celebrate Life & Enjoy the Aging Process,” Nov. 4,10-11 am, Glenridge on Palmer Ranch Performing Arts Theater, 7333 Scotland Way, Sarasota (half-mile east of the Honore Ave. & Palmer Ranch Pkwy. intersection). Information: (941) 917-7777.

Back to Top


Community Caregiving Forum
Join us for the 9th Annual Community Caregiving Forum, “How Do We Care for Ourselves and Those We Love,” Nov. 6, 9:30 am-3 pm, Sarasota Memorial Hospital first floor auditorium, 1700 S. Tamiami Trail. Free to the community. Continuing education credits available for qualified professionals ($20).

RSVP: (941) 917-1779.

Back to Top


Advances in Stroke Rehabilitation
Free presentation for families affected by stroke, Nov. 11, 10 am-11:30 am, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, 1700 S. Tamiami Trail (Meeting Room 4A&B (take “B” elevators to 4th floor past cafeteria). No need to register.

Back to Top


The Meaning and Value of Palliative Care
FREE community presentation, Nov. 12, 9 am-noon, presented by the “Loss, Grief & End of Life Coalition” and Sarasota Memorial Bayside Center, Sarasota Memorial Hospital Auditorium (first floor). 

Physicians, LMHCs, LCSWs, LMFTs, RNs and LPNs are eligible for CMEs and CEUs (3 hours/$15 fee). Please call (941) 917-1779 to register.

Back to Top


Home Care Health Fair
Sarasota Memorial Home Care will host a free Health Fair at Sarasota Memorial’s Institute for Advanced Medicine, 5880 Rand Blvd., (1/2-mile west of I-75 off Clark Road), on Nov. 19, 10 am-2 pm, with free blood pressure checks, pulse oximetry monitoring, chair massages and more. Call (941) 917-7777 for information.

Back to Top


Perfect Prescription for Weight Loss
If you’re having difficulty getting your weight under control, Sarasota Memorial offers a number of programs – from healthy cooking and exercise classes to medically supervised weight loss programs and weight loss surgery – to suit diverse schedules, budgets and needs. Call (941) 917-7777 to find a plan that's right for you.

Back to Top


Healing Arts
Relax at Sarasota Memorial’s free expressive arts studio, a weekly program designed to promote creative expression, relaxation, health and healing. Class meets 2-4 pm every Monday at Sarasota Memorial’s Institute for Advanced Medicine, 5880 Rand Blvd., 1/2-mile west of I-75 off Clark Road. Supplies are provided. RSVP to (941) 917-7293.

Back to Top


Diabetes Management
For people struggling to manage their diabetes, individualized outpatient treatment services and free support groups are available. For times, locations or information, call (941) 917-7468.

Back to Top


It's Not Just the Economy That's Depressed
With more people losing their jobs, their homes and their retirement accounts, it’s natural for some to feel overwhelmed. If you or a loved one is having trouble coping with depression, anxiety, substance abuse or other emotional difficulty, and you’re not sure where to turn, call Sarasota Memorial’s Bayside Center at (941) 917-7760. Our licensed mental health professionals are on call 24 hours a day to provide free assessments, referrals and advice.

Back to Top

Community Health Calendar
Upcoming events, classes, support groups. Register online or call
(941) 917-7777

  • » Woman to Woman Breast Cancer Support Group: 4:30-6 pm third Wednesday of each month. Information: (941) 917-7777
  • » Stroke Support: 10-11:30 am second Wednesday of each month. Information: (941) 917-7048
  • » Diabetes Management: First Monday of each month. Information: (941) 917-7468
  • » MS Friends of Hope: 6-8 pm, third Thursday of the month. Information: (941) 917-7777
  • » Caregiver Connection: 9:30-11 am second Wednesday of each month. Information: (941) 917-7777
  • » The Parkinson Wellness Club: 9:30-10:30 am third Wednesday of each month. Information: (941) 917-7777
  • » Living Well With Heart Failure: (941) 917-2114
  • » FREE Memory Screenings: (941) 917-7197
  • » FREE Mental Health Assessments: (941) 917-7760
  • » Childbirth Education (free and fee-based classes): (941) 917-1700

Do you have a question about Health & Fitness?
Ask David - a Healthplex Expert:
David-Flench@smh.com

Be good to your brain and it may be good to you...for a very long time!  Research on brain health shows that what you eat, how much you move and how you live affect memory, mental acuity, concentration, and may help prevent Alzheimer's disease!  Use these ABC's to remember how to boost your brain function!

A – Add Antioxidants: Older adults who eat at least two cups of vegetables a day can slow mental decline by 40 percent more than those who eat less than one serving a day.  Antioxidants also help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. 

B – Break-the-Fast: Eating breakfast refuels the brain after a night of "fasting" and has shown to improve mental acuity in children and adults, help control blood sugars, assist with weight control and boost mood.

C – Call on the Fish: Diets rich in Omega 3, especially DHA, can help protect against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, as well as psychiatric disorders like depression and violence. Select fish high in Omega's like anchovies, herring, trout, mackerel, salmon, sardines and tuna. Worried about mercury? Health professionals agree that the risk of NOT eating fish out weights any negative effects from mercury (limit albacore tuna, tile fish, king mackerel to no more than once per week).

D – Don't Ditch the Gym: You may work out to relieve stress or boost your mood, but recent research shows that regular physical activity may help delay the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.  If you fear the gym, sign up for a session with a Healthplex personal trainer to get the most out of your work-out!

The exercise professionals at Healthplex are here to answer your health and fitness questions. We offer many options to help meet your goals, including services such as nutritional counseling, personal training and group exercise classes. To learn more about our programs, stop by for a tour, visit www.SarasotaHealthplex.com or call (941) 917-7000. 


This newsletter is produced by Sarasota Memorial's team of healthcare professionals. You are receiving Health e-clicks because you either have joined our mailing list or were referred by a friend. We will protect your privacy and will not share your email address with other organizations. Click here to view our patient privacy practices. If you wish to be taken off our mailing list, Unsubscribe here or call 941-917-7777. Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, 1700 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida 34239.