Diabetes support group

BANGOR – St. Joseph Healthcare’s diabetes support group will feature guest speaker Dana Green of the Diabetes and Nutrition Center at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6. Green’s topic will be diabetic neuropathy.

The diabetes support group meets the first Thursday of each month in the Diabetes and Nutrition Center, Building 1, St. Joseph Healthcare Park, 900 Broadway.

The group is open to individuals with diabetes and their family members. For information, call 262-1836.

End of life care

BANGOR – According to a nationwide study of hospice care, Maine ranks 49th. Some 9 percent of Mainers over age 65 who died in 2000 received hospice care. Only Alaska scored lower at 5 percent.

“What is Palliative Care?”, a presentation and discussion about health care at the end of life, is planned for 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at The Center for Family Business, Husson College. The presentation is free and open to the public.

The session will explore the similarities and differences between palliative and hospice care, and the options available to residents of long-term care facilities.

Presenters will be Susan Bernier, director of nursing, Ross Manor; Pat Eye, co-director, New Hope Hospice; Dr. Alan Garber, director of palliative care, Eastern Maine Medical Center; the Rev. Rex Garrett, chaplain, EMMC; oncology social worker Linda Murphy, CancerCare of Maine at EMMC; and social worker Tilly Atkins, Hospice of Eastern Maine.

The session is jointly supported by the Palliative Care Program at EMMC, Rosscare, Bangor Area Visiting Nurses-Hospice of Eastern Maine.

Naturopathic clinic

BANGOR – Evergreen Naturopathic Clinic has opened at 142 Hammond St., Suite 5. Dr. Jennifer Johnson, owner and operator, offers naturopathic health care to the extended Bangor community.

Naturopathy is a traditionally based medicine, which embraces a holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment. Johnson said she utilizes only naturally based treatments such as botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, and homeopathy.

Also, she provides extensive patient education and counseling. Her treatments are appropriate for patients of all ages, she explained, and for complaints from headaches and viruses to chronic fatigue and depression. Areas of special interest to Dr. Johnson are women’s health care and pediatrics.

Evergreen Naturopathic Clinic will host an open house for the public 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at 142 Hammond St., Suite 5. The focus of the event will be wellness during the winter months, including healthy recipes and teas to take home.

Evergreen Naturopathic Clinic was formerly known as Achillea Natural Health. Office hours are available by appointment. For information, call 941-0981.

Grant to BAVN

BANGOR – Bangor Area Visiting Nurses-Hospice of Eastern Maine has received a $2,350 grant from the Maine Community Foundation to help update computer documentation technology for patient care. The agency provides home health and hospice services within a 25-mile radius of Bangor.

The new technology minimizes duplication of data entry and maximizes accuracy of clinical record entries.

“We know our patients and staff will feel the difference once we have a streamlined, computerized point of service system. It’s an exciting and bold move for our agency,” explained Helen Genco, president and chief executive officer.

Bangor Area Visiting Nurses is celebrating its 90th year of home health services. Hospice of Eastern Maine was started in 1981, and the agencies merged in 1999.

The Maine Community Foundation works in partnership with charitably minded individuals to strengthen communities. For information, visit www.mainecf.org or call (877) 700-6800.