NAMI speaker
The Chattanooga Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness will hold its free Speaker’s Forum, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Joe Johnson Center, 420 Bell Ave., North Shore district. Rob Cotterman, assistant program superintendent, Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute, will give an update on programs, activities and regulations involving mental health and Moccasin Bend. For information, call Jane Elmore, 827-4049 or Tom Gaines, 892-1063.
Medicare Options
BlueCross Medicare Advocates will hold two community meetings to help beneficiaries and loved ones learn about available Medicare options on Nov. 28, 1 p.m., at the North River Civic Center, 1009 Executive Drive, Hixson and Dec. 7, 10 a.m., at the Hamilton County YMCA, 7430 Shallowford Road. For information about Medicare Advantage and drug coverage or for reservations, contact a BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee representative at 866-902-0684, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. ET, seven days a week. (TTY/TDD users should call 877-664-6422.) Persons with special needs should request accommodations in advance.
Hearing impaired
David M. Harrison, director of the hearing loss group called the Hear Now Cafe at Ridgeview Baptist Church, invites all hearing impaired and friends to attend a special hearing accessible event Friday at 7 p.m. at Ridgeview Baptist Church, 6 N. Moore Road at Brainerd Road in the activity center. RSVP to 624-1669 or email letmypeoplehear@yahoo.com.
Stop smoking
In conjunction with the 2011 Great American Smoke-out on Thursday, Nov. 17, Four Seasons Wellness will offer free stop smoking treatments that day from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the community acupuncture clinic at 6237 Vance Road, Suite 4, behind Nutrition World on Lee Highway. Acupuncture can reduce the desire to smoke up to five years after the initial treatment. For information, call 596-9024.
Basic diabetes
This is a two-session program to be held at Diabetes and Nutrition Center at Memorial Hospital. First session is Wednesday at 12:45 p.m. and provides an overview of diabetes and treatment/prevention of complications. The second session meets Nov. 23. The center can help you obtain a physician’s referral and provide cost information. Registration is required. Call 495-7970.
Memory screening
Erlanger East Campus Classroom B (Gunbarrel Road) will offer memory screening for older adults today 8 a.m.-noon. Jennifer Hindmon, RN, of Erlanger North Senior’s Unit, will administer the Mini Mental Status Exam to determine if there are problems that should be discussed with your family physician. Pre-registration is required at 778-5465.
Gastric study
If you are more than 75 pounds overweight and want to participate in a research study with the new sleeve stomach plication, call 899-1000 or visit www.gastricbandinstitute.com for information.
Items for this column are due the Friday before Thursday’s publication date. Write to Linda Weaver, P.O. Box 1447, Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447; fax 668-5071; email lweaver@timesfreepress.com.