Bridgeport Hospital Community Programs Offered

Readers of The Bee are invited to take advantage of the following community programs offered by Bridgeport Hospital:

Elderly Planning — “Family Conversations” is the theme of the November 8 meeting of Heart Beats, Inc, Bridgeport Hospital’s cardiac patient support group. Guest speaker Gerd Weindling of Trumbull, member of the Connecticut Commission on Aging and past state president of the AARP, will conduct a workshop on planning for the health care and financial well-being of aging relatives.

Topics will include Medicare, Title 19, and supplemental insurance coverage as well as living wills and other advance directives. The meeting is free and open to the public, and will begin at 6 pm in the fourth-floor Hollander Auditorium at the hospital, 267 Grant Street.

Complimentary refreshments will be served 5:30 to 6 pm in the second-floor cafeteria. For information, call toll free 888-357-2396.

Blood Pressure Screenings — Bridgeport Hospital will offer free blood pressure screenings at the following locations and times:

éBridgeport North Branch Library, 3455 Madison Avenue, 1 to 3 pm, November 6

éShelton United Methodist Homes, 580 Long Hill Avenue, 12:30 to 2:30 pm, November 28

éTrumbull Library, 33 Quality Street, 9:30 to 11:30 am, November 9

For information, call toll free 888-357-2396.

Look Good...Feel Better — Look Good...Feel Better, the American Cancer Society program that helps women with cancer improve their appearance and self-image through hands-on beauty techniques, will be offered 5 to 6:30 pm November 14 in the first-floor Operations Conference Room at Bridgeport Hospital. Parking and admission are free, and light refreshments will be served. To register, call toll free 888-357-2396.

Ostomy Support — The United Ostomy Chapter of Greater Bridgeport will meet 2 pm November 19 at the offices of Visiting Nurse Services of Connecticut, 40 Lindeman Drive, Trumbull. Meetings, which include an educational session and business meeting, are open to all area residents who have had any type of ostomy operation, including a colostomy, urostomy or ileostomy. For information, 888-357-2396.

First Aid And Safety Classes — Bridgeport Hospital’s Emergency Care Institute will offer the following self-care class in the duPont Board Room at Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant Street. To register, call 203-384-4497.

éPediatric First Aid and Safety, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, November 4. Cost: $45.

éPediatric First Aid & Safety and American Heart Association Infant and Child CPR, 8:30 am to 5 pm, November 4. Cost: $75.

éAdministration of Medicine, 6 to 9 pm November 14. Cost: $25 ($15 injectable only).

éAmerican Heart Association Adult CPR 2-Year Certification, 6 to 9 pm, November 8. Cost $45.

For information about workplace or community-based group classes, call 203-384-4748.

Senior Driving Course — AARP’s Senior Driver Safety Program will be offered from 9 am to 1 pm November 11 and 18 in the first-floor duPont Board Room at Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant Street. The fee of $10 covers handouts and instructional materials. To register, call toll free 888-357-2396. Classes are taught by trained AARP instructors. Successful completion may entitle seniors to a discount on automobile insurance premiums.

Physician Information And Referrals — Bridgeport Hospital provides free information on, and referrals to, more than 400 affiliated physicians 24 hours a day. Call toll free 888-357-2396 for information on physician specialties, office hours and locations as well as insurance plans accepted.

Billing Questions — Bridgeport Hospital provides free, confidential assistance to patients and families with questions about their hospital bills. Financial counselors are available during regular business hours to privately discuss billing issues and payment assistance options, including eligibility for free or discounted care. Bridgeport Hospital also pays a state employee to be on-site to help patients apply for Medicaid and other state assistance programs. For an appointment to see a financial counselor, call 203-384-3449.