Briefly

Starting Point plans new session

An informational meeting for Starting Point, a medically supervised health and weight management program, will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at Southeast Missouri Hospital's HealthPoint Plaza, 2126 Independence St. Program director Raina Childers, a dietitian at the hospital and the nutritional services coordinator at HealthPoint Fitness, will answer questions and provide information about the fee-based program. In time for New Year's resolutions, the next Starting Point session begins Jan. 5. For more information, call Childers at 986-4400.

Yoga for new moms to begin

Southeast Missouri Hospital will offer a six-week prenatal/postnatal yoga class at HealthPoint Fitness, 2126 Independence St. The class will be at 6 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Dec. 14. The class includes poses that are suitable for use during pregnancy and the postpartum period. For information or to register, call 986-4400.

Sign-up for Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D is the new prescription drug insurance program available beginning Jan. 1. This new benefit will be administered through private health insurance companies that bid against one another to ensure the best prices for eligible beneficiary. CLAIM is a Missouri Medicare and insurance counseling program that provides free, confidential and unbiased health insurance counseling to Medicare recipients. CLAIM counselors will meet with eligible seniors from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to help them understand Medicare Part D and sign them up for a plan. Sign-ups are by appointment only. CLAIM will also present a free informational program on the plan at 10 a.m. that day. To register, call 651-5825. Participants will be asked to bring with them their medications along with the name of their pharmacy.

Calendar

Today

"Ask Your Doctor," 8 to 9 p.m., cable Channel 5. Local health-care providers discuss medical topics and encourage viewers to call in with questions. Neurologist A. Basit Chaudhari will discuss Alzheimer's disease. To phone in a question, call 334-3095.

Information session on Medicare Part B, 6:30 p.m., at the First Christian Church, 2411 Abbey Road. Ruth Dockins will lead the discussion. Anyone who is a Medicare beneficiary or related to a Medicare beneficiary is welcome.

Osteoporosis screening for seniors, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Cape Senior Center. To register, call 651-5825. Appointments are required.

Infant massage, free class from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., in Meeting Room 102 near the lobby at Southeast Missouri Hospital. To preregister, call 651-5825.

Asthma education program, 6:30 p.m., Generations Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Advance registration required at 651-5825.

Friday

Lifesaver CPR for new parents, 1 to 4 p.m., Generations Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Preregister at 651-5825.

Saturday

Heartsaver CPR, 8 a.m. to noon, Main Street Fitness Center in Jackson. For the public. To register, call 243-2211.

Monday

CLAIM, a Missouri Medicare and Insurance counseling program will provide free and confidential health insurance counseling to Medicare recipients regarding Medicare Part D, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., by appointment 651-5825.

Free blood pressure screening, 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., Grace United Methodist Church at Broadway and Caruthers Avenue.

Muscular Dystrophy support group holiday dinner, 5 p.m., Meeting Room 102 of Southeast Missouri Hospital Members must RSVP at 651-582.

Starting Point informational meeting, 6 p.m., HealthPoint Plaza. The next Starting Point weight loss and health management program begins Jan. 5.

Tuesday

New Voice Club, support group meeting 2 to 3 p.m., Fitness Plus Conference Room. For information, call Luana Rhodes at 331-5890.

Diabetes Self-Management Education: holiday celebration, 1 to 2 p.m., Generations Resource Center. To register, call 651-5844.

SHARE, grief support group, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Generations Family Resource Center. Program: "Remembering our Loved Ones through Holiday Rituals." For information, call 651-5825 or 651-5549.

Wednesday

Diabetes basic skills class, 5:30 to 9 p.m., Fitness Plus Conference Room. Physician referral required. For information, call 331-5897.

Knee and hip pain seminar, 1 to 2 p.m., Generations Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital. To preregister, call 651-5825.

United Ostomy Association, 5 p.m., annual Christmas party. Dutch treat dinner at Delmonico's in Jackson, followed by bingo. Donations for hospice will be collected. For information, call 651-5844.

Prenatal/Postnatal yoga, first of a six-week session for pregnant women and women who have recently delivered, 5:30 p.m., HealthPoint Plaza. For information or to register, call 986-4400.

-- From staff reports