Spectrum Health Lakeland: Upcoming Wellness Events

Free Youth Mental Health First Aid Course Offered

(BENTON HARBOR) – Community members are invited to attend a free youth mental health first aid training course on from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 25 at the Consortium for Community Development, located at 175 West Main Street in Benton Harbor.

The course is designed for adults who regularly interact with adolescents and teaches participants how to assist young people experiencing a mental health crisis until appropriate help is received or until the crisis resolves. Training reviews typical adolescent development, teaches a five step action plan to help young people in crisis, and helps participants understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

A training manual and certification is provided upon completion. Preregistration is required; call (269) 556-2808 or (866) 260-7544.

Free Pre-Diabetes Class in Watervliet

(WATERVLIET) – Spectrum Health Lakeland is offering a free program designed to help anyone with higher-than-normal blood sugar levels learn about lifestyle changes which may help them avoid or delay the onset of diabetes. The class will take place on Thursday, August 1, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Classroom B at Lakeland Hospital Watervliet, located at 400 Medical Park Drive.

During the first hour of the program, a registered nurse will guide attendees through the disease process of diabetes and introduce healthy lifestyle changes. The final hour will be spent with a registered dietitian who will suggest meal selections that can help you maintain health and manage weight.

This program does not require a physician referral. Pre-registration for this free class is required, and class size is limited. For more information or to register, call (269) 556-2868.

Bones in Balance Classes Helps Individuals with Osteoporosis

(ST. JOSEPH) – Lakeland Orthopedic Physical Therapy is now enrolling participants for Bones in Balance, a four-week program designed to teach those diagnosed with osteoporosis and osteopenia how to successfully live with these conditions through self-management. Bones in Balance incorporates education and exercise and is led by specially trained physical therapists. The program includes valuable self-management tips from a pharmacist, registered dietitian, and nurse educator.

Classes meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a four-week period at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph. Registration is now open for the next set of classes which will run from August 6 to 29 and be held at 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. or 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that affects over 44 million Americans, and although both men and women can develop the disease, over 80 percent of sufferers are women over the age of 45. Osteoporosis is commonly referred to as “the silent disease,” because bone loss occurs without any visible symptoms at first. Many people don’t realize they have osteoporosis until their bones are so weak that the smallest strain or fall causes a bone to fracture.

A physician’s order is required to participate. There is a $25 registration fee to cover the cost of materials; the remaining amount is billable to your insurance. For more information or to register, call (269) 556-7150.

Community CPR Class Offered in Benton Harbor

(BENTON HARBOR) – Community members are invited to attend a free cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training class from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6 in the Community Room at Orchards Mall, located at 1800 Pipestone Road in Benton Harbor.

According to the American Heart Association, cardiac arrests are more common than most people realize. Nearly 383,000 cardiac arrests occur annually outside the hospital setting, and four out of five cardiac arrests happen at home. According to the American Heart Association, effective CPR provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival

This course is for anyone 16 years of age or older with limited or no medical training who needs a course completion card in CPR and AED use to meet job, regulatory, or other requirements. Participants will earn a two-year certification for HeartSaver® CPR AED from the American Heart Association. Preregistration is required, call (269) 556-2808 or (866) 260-7544.

Learn to Live Well with Heart Failure

(WATERVLIET) – Spectrum Health Lakeland will offer “Living Well with Heart Failure,” a free class for community members about congestive heart failure (CHF), a chronic condition characterized by the heart’s inability to meet the blood flow needs of the body. The program will take place on Tuesday, August 6, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in Classroom B at Lakeland Hospital Watervliet, located at 400 Medical Park Drive.

Participants will learn to identify common causes and symptoms of heart failure, as well as new daily routines that can dramatically improve one’s quality of life. Preregistration for the class is required; call (269) 556-2808 or (866) 260-7544.

Bariatric Surgeons to Discuss Weight Loss Options

(ST. JOSEPH) – The Lakeland Weight Loss Center is offering a series of free seminars titled, “Lose Weight…Find Health.” The first seminar will take place on Wednesday, August 7 in the Community Conference Room at Lakeland Medical Suites, located at 41 N. St. Joseph Avenue in Niles. A second seminar will be held on Wednesday, August 21 in the Community Room at Caring Circle, located at 4025 Health Park Lane in St. Joseph. Both seminars will take place from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Bariatric surgeons Michael Schuhknecht, DO, and Seth Miller, MD, will discuss programs available for losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight for years to come. The Lakeland Weight Loss Center specializes in working with each person to create a customized lifestyle plan through bariatric surgery, diet and nutrition counseling, and monthly support groups.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 190 million adults in the United States are overweight and obese. Individuals more than 40 percent overweight are twice as likely to die prematurely as someone of average weight. However, the good news is that losing as little as five to 15 percent of your initial body weight can reduce your risk of diabetes and other illnesses and can even eliminate your need for some medications.

For more information or to register for the seminar, visit www.lakelandweightlosscenter.com/events or call (269) 927-5361.

Free Wellness Event in Benton Harbor

(BENTON HARBOR) – Community members are invited to attend an upcoming Neighborhood Centered Health Home event on Thursday, August 8 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Elite Barbershop, located at 1301 Pipestone Road in Benton Harbor.

Free blood pressure screenings will be offered during the event. A clinical educator will be on-site for personal health coaching sessions. Those in attendance will also have the opportunity to meet with a Lakeland resident physician and participate in discussion about key medical topics. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, call (269) 556-2808.

Free Adult Mental Health First Aid Course Offered

(BENTON HARBOR) – Community members are invited to attend a free mental health first aid training course on Tuesday, August 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Consortium for Community Development, located at 175 West Main Street in Benton Harbor.

Adult Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based public education and prevention tool which works to improve the public’s knowledge of mental health and substance use problems, help adults take the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations, and connects people with care. Studies show one in five Americans has a mental illness, but many are reluctant to seek help or might not know where to turn for care. When more people are equipped with the tools they need to start a dialogue, more people can get the help they may need.

A training manual and certification is provided upon completion. Preregistration is required; call (269) 556-2808 or (866) 260-7544.