Talking to family doctor

BANGOR – An advocate gives voice on behalf of another; supports or promotes the interests of another. If you care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, you are his or her advocate.

Families are invited to hear Dr. Jabbar Fazeli 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Westgate Manor, 750 Union St. Fazeli’s topic will be “Talking to Your Family Doctor.” Fazeli will offer suggestions on how to talk with your family doctor about changes and concerns you have about your loved one.

Fazeli is board certified in geriatric medicine. He provides services to patients age 65 and older through his practice, Maine Geriatrics in the Portland area and central Maine. He is a board member of the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, and a member of the American Geriatric Society and American Medical Directors Society.

Susan Greenwood will discuss the services of the Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. She is a volunteer with the program, an independent organization that can investigate and try to resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, those using long-term care services.

Kathryn Pears, director of public policy and advocacy for the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, will offer insight into upcoming state legislative issues that will impact those with Alzheimer’s disease and how families can effectively advocate for the needs of their loved ones.

For more information, call Kristie Miner at 942-7336.

Diabetes support groups

BANGOR – St. Joseph Healthcare’s daytime Diabetes Support Group will meet at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, in the Diabetes and Nutrition Center, Building 1, St. Joseph Healthcare Park, 900 Broadway.

Group members share personal experiences relating to diabetes management, stress reduction and coping skills. The November program will feature Chad Thompson of Hanger Prosthetics. He will speak on diabetic foot care.

A separate, evening support group meets the second Tuesday of each month. The next meeting of this group is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, also at the Diabetes and Nutrition Center. For information about either support group, call St. Joseph Healthcare’s Diabetes and Nutrition Center at 262-1870.

New board members

BANGOR – Four new members were appointed recently to the board of directors of the Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center. They are:

. Jo-Anne Dauphinee, an activist since the 1960s, who serves with Maine NOW and other groups, coalitions and alliances for choice, including Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center’s Communities United for Reproductive Safety Project.

. Gretchen Zeimer, advocate training and legislative coordinator for the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence since Oct. 2004. She also works for animal welfare.

. Laura Lindenfeld, assistant professor of communication and journalism at the University of Maine. Her work focuses on representations of gender in mainstream U.S. media.

. Martha Wildman, director of volunteer services at Eastern Maine Medical Center. She is a former Mabel Wadsworth Center board treasurer and president. She has for many years helped coordinate the center’s annual plant sale and has served on the capital campaign steering committee.

On May 29, Mabel Wadsworth Center supporters gathered to celebrate the facility’s 24-year-old mission and to honor those who support health and reproductive rights.

This year the center honored Dr. Elizabeth Weiss, presenting her with the Mabel Sine Wadsworth Women’s Health Achievement Award. Weiss is an important figure in the development of the center. For many years she volunteered her time and skills by providing direct clinical services. She now serves as the center’s medical director.

Honored with the Woman Power Award was nurse Deb Milligan. Her volunteer work at the center has been invaluable, center officials said. Highly skilled in the exam room, she is a source of calmness, humor, loyalty and deep caring for clients and staff. She commits herself fully to the women the center serves and does so with grace and courage, they said.