Health briefs 5/16

VNA hospice volunteers finish training sessions

The Visiting Nurse Association Hospice of Southeast Missouri has finished two days of training for people interested in becoming hospice volunteers. The training is to introduce people to hospice and explain its services. VNA Hospice provides services in a 15-county area.

Class participants were introduced to physical, spiritual and emotional needs of grieving families and the appropriate responses to those needs. Volunteers learn about communication, stress reduction and safety.

Eleven people completed the class. They include Judy Morrow and Kimberly Laub, Mary Ann Sifford, Tracey Holman and Susan Hoffman, all of Sikeston, Mo., Thelma Freese of East Prairie, Mo., Tonya Carnett of Kennett, Mo., Carrie Williams and Dorothy Lynch, both of Morehouse, Mo., and the Rev. Susan Wilkerson of Cape Girardeau, and Brenda Daugherty of Portageville.

EMS workers to be honored Saturday

Area residents are invited to an event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at St. Francis Medical Center in honor of EMS Appreciation Day.

The event will include free food and drinks, entertainment and special activities.

Air Evac Lifeteam is sponsoring the event.

Regional Arthritis Center program set

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Southeast Missouri Regional Arthritis Center at St. Francis Medical Center will sponsor an informational program from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday at the Marble Hill Senior Citizens Nutrition Center. The program will feature a presentation on osteoporosis.

Rebecca Mankin, executive director of the Missouri SenioRx will discuss the new program that can assist seniors with the rising costs of prescription drugs.

Ruth Dockins, public information director of the Southeast Missouri Senior Area Agency on Aging, also will be available.

In addition to the program, the Southeast Missouri Regional Arthritis Center will offer free bone density tests.

Call the Southeast Missouri Regional Arthritis Center at 331-5880 or (888) 216-3293 for more details.

--From staff reports