Spectrum Health Lakeland: Upcoming Wellness Events

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 November 5 to December 3 and be held at 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 5 p.m. 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.

Learn to Live Well with Heart Failure

(ST. JOSEPH) – 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, November 5, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Pharmacy Conference Room at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph.

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 Option

(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, November 6 in the Community Room at Caring Circle, located at 4025 Health Park Lane in St. Joseph. A second seminar will be held on Wednesday, November 20 in the Community Conference Room at Lakeland Medical Suites, located at 41 N. St. Joseph Avenue in Niles. Both seminars will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 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.

Cardiologist to Discuss Future of Wearable Technology

(ST. JOSEPH) – Community members are invited to join cardiologist, Dennis Disch, MD, for a series of free educational seminars titled, “Keeping Tabs on Your Ticker–Can a Smartwatch Save your Life?” The first event will take place on Wednesday, November 6 in the large meeting room at Lakeland Hospital Niles, located at 31 North St. Joseph Avenue. A second seminar will be held on Thursday, November 7 in the conference center at Lakeland at Meadowbrook, located at 2550 Meadowbrook Road in Benton Harbor. Both seminars will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

During the seminar, Dr. Disch will discuss the future of wearable technology and its ability to detect and help treat heart-related conditions. Those in attendance will be entered to win an Apple Watch Series 4, which is equipped with an electrical heart sensor, notifications for low and high heart rate, irregular rhythm, fall detection and emergency SOS.

“For people at high risk of heart disease, or a known cardiac condition, smart technology can be a game changer,” said Dr. Disch.

Preregistration is encouraged; walk-ins are welcome. For more information, or to register, call 269.927.5361 or visit spectrumhealthlakeland.org/heartcare.

Lakeland Financial Advocates Offer Free Open Enrollment Events

(ST. JOSEPH) – Spectrum Health Lakeland financial advocates will offer a series of events to assist community members with enrolling in the marketplace and selecting a health insurance plan that is customized to fit their needs. During a free, 15-minute session a financial advocate will review a participant’s situation and walk them through the enrollment process step-by-step. Events will be held at the following dates and times:

Saturday, November 2
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lakeland Hospital Watervliet
Classroom C

Tuesday, November 12
1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Coloma Public Library
Community Room

Saturday, November 16
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lincoln Township Library
Community Room

Friday, November 22
1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Lakeland Hospital Niles
Niles Buchanan Resource Library

“We encourage patients with no insurance or those looking to change insurance to meet with one of our financial advocates who can discuss coverage options as many times patients don’t know what’s available to them or what type of assistance they may qualify for,” said Jenna Howard, manager admitting and registration, Spectrum Health Lakeland.

For a full financial screening, participants will need to bring paycheck stubs, ID, tax return, and latest bank statement. To schedule a 15-minute time slot, call 844.408.4103 ext.1.

Holiday Blues Program Offered in Southwest Michigan

(ST. JOSEPH) – Community members are invited to join Caring Circle for Holiday Blues, an annual program that provides an opportunity for individuals, family, and friends to participate in meaningful sharing and gain renewed strength to walk through grief during the holiday season. The program is free and open to the community. To register or for more information, call Caring Circle at 269.429.7100. Sessions will be offered at the following dates and locations:

Thursday, November 7
Noon
Caring Circle, Buchanan
4017 Chamberlain Road

Tuesday, November 12
Noon
Caring Circle, St. Joseph
4025 Health Park Ln

Thursday, November 14
4 p.m.
Caring Circle, South Haven
05055 Blue Star Highway

Free Youth Mental Health First Aid Course Offered

(WATERVLIET) – Community members are invited to attend a series of free youth mental health first aid training courses on Monday, November 11 and Wednesday, November 13. Both classes will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in classroom A and B at Lakeland Hospital Watervliet, located at 400 Medical Park Drive. Participants must complete both four-hour sessions to obtain certification.

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 St. Joseph

(ST. JOSEPH) – 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, November 7, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Pharmacy Conference Room at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph.

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.

About Spectrum Health Lakeland
Spectrum Health Lakeland is a non-profit, community-owned health system serving southwest Michigan and northern Indiana. We offer a full continuum of care and wellness services including three hospitals, an outpatient surgery center, a cancer center, and 41 physician practices. Lakeland is a division of Spectrum Health with 30,000 compassionate professionals, 4,100 medical staff experts, 3,200 committed volunteers and a health plan serving 1 million members. Lakeland was named a 100 Top Hospital® by IBM Watson HealthTM in 2019.