Hanover Township
Health Department
 

  

 

Health Education Programs and Health Services Provided through Morristown Memorial Hospital and Atlantic Health

February 2011

Unless otherwise noted, to register for any of these programs call 1-888-281-2085 Monday through Thursday between 8:30am to 8:00pm and Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm, or sign-up online at Atlantic Health’s classes and events registration (http://ceii.atlantichealth.org/class/default.asp ) ; all programs are free unless a fee is indicated.

Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute Health Fair
 Learn the latest information from cardiac and vascular experts about heart disease diagnosis and treatment. The fair includes a free, heart-healthy breakfast, a physician lecture series, a walk-through model of the heart and other informative displays of technology and health care, and a raffle of prizes. Registration is required; registered participants can also register for free cholesterol screenings (120 screening limit) and free carotid artery screenings (60 screening limit).
Saturday, February 12; 8:30am to 1:00pm
Morristown Memorial Hospital, Malcolm Forbes Amphitheatre and Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute

Cholesterol Screening
 Learn your numbers and your risk for heart attack and stroke. A non-fasting fingerstick gives immediate total cholesterol, HDL, TC/HDL ratio and blood sugar. Blood pressure is also measured. Individual counseling is provided. Registration is required (120 screening limit).
Saturday, February 12; 10:00am to 1:00pm
Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute at Morristown Memorial Hospital, Level C, Wilf Conference Room

Carotid Artery Screening
 This screening uses a non-invasive ultrasound on the carotid arteries in the neck; it can identify possible blood flow blockages to the brain. Registration is required (60 screening limit).
Saturday, February 12; 10:00am to 1:00pm
Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute at Morristown Memorial Hospital, Level C, Echo Lab

2nd Annual Comedy Night Supporting Sam's NICU
 Come see professional comedians Jane Condon and Jeff Caldwell. Proceeds support Sam’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Goryeb Children’s Hospital at Morristown Memorial.
Fee: $80 per person ($40 tax deductible)
Friday, February 18, 7:00 to 11:00pm
The Hanover Manor, 16 Eagle Rock Avenue, East Hanover, NJ
For tickets and additional information, please call 973-319-8300, ext. 208

What You Need to Know Before Travel
 Learn about immunizations, food safety, and recommended accessories for international travel, as well as facts about illness on cruise ships.
Tuesday, February 22; 7:00 to 8:00pm
Parsippany Library, 449 Halsey Road, Parsippany, NJ
Presenter: William B. Felegi, DO, FACEP, Medical Director, Travel MD

HIV Testing, Counseling and Referral
 Appointments are available Monday through Friday for rapid HIV testing and risk reduction education. Services are free, anonymous and confidential.
200 South Street, Third Floor, Room 350, Morristown, NJ
For more information and to schedule an appointment, please call 973-889-6810.

Exercise / Fitness

When you have an athletic goal, whether it’s running a marathon or improving your pick-up game, experts say you should take a whole-body approach to health. This includes proper nutrition, a training regimen, injury prevention and muscle strengthening.

Atlantic Sports Health offers a variety of services, including individualized meal plans, training routines, injury treatment and rehabilitation, and oxygen performance testing (VO2), to help you maximize your potential and reach your goal.
 

Exercise/Fitness Programs and Screenings
Education and prevention can keep you and your loved ones healthy. We invite you to take advantage of the programs, support groups and screenings available. Unless otherwise noted, to register for any of these programs call 1-888-281-2085 Monday through Thursday between 8:30am to 8:00pm and Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm, or sign-up online at Atlantic Health’s classes and events registration  (http://ceii.atlantichealth.org/class/default.asp ); all programs are free unless a fee is indicated. 

Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program
 This warm water recreational exercise program uses gentle activities to improve flexibility and decrease pain without putting excess strain on the joints and muscles. For program schedules, please call the North Jersey Regional Arthritis Center toll free at 1-877-973-6500.

Pre-natal/Postpartum Aqua-Aerobics
 Exercise and meet other moms and mothers-to-be. This one-hour class meets once a week for six weeks.
Morristown Memorial Hospital
For a schedule and to register, please call 973-971-5027.

Pre-Natal/Postpartum Exercise
 Build strength and confidence during your pregnancy or after baby is born. This class meets once a week for six weeks.
For a schedule and to register, please call 973-971-5027.

Healthy Lifestyles

To register please phone 973-971-6301

If you’re worried you may be at risk for cardiac disease, the Healthy Lifestyles program is for you.

Located off the lobby of Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute at Morristown Memorial Hospital, Healthy Lifestyles uses an innovative, multidisciplinary approach to evaluate your risk of cardiac disease. Then, our team works with you one-on-one to design a heart-healthy action plan that fits your individual needs in four key areas: nutrition and weight loss, physical activity, stress relief, and emotional well-being.

Individual and group classes in nutrition, stress management and physical activities are located in our 2,200 square foot spa-like facility. You may participate in any of our classes or use our services without a consultation. Just call ahead to reserve a space or to make an appointment.

Services include:

  • Lifestyle Screenings ($40 per hour)
  • Nutrition Services
    • Individual nutritional counseling ($40 per hour/$20 per half hour)
    • Nutrition education classes ($10 each session)
    • Healthy cooking classes ($10 each)
  • Stress Reduction Services ($40 per hour/$20 per half hour)
    • Massage: a hands-on therapeutic technique that enhances relaxation, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and reduces stress
    • Jin Shin Jytusu: a form of acupressure that boosts energy, lowers blood pressure and heart rate and helps the body restore itself
    • Cranial sacral therapy: a gentle hands-on technique that releases restrictions in the cranial sacral system to improve the overall functioning of the central nervous system
  • Integrative Medicine Classes and Exercise Programs ($10 per class)
  • The following programs are designed to improve flexibility and balance, lower blood pressure and reduce stress:
    • Yoga: a gentle form of breathing and stretching exercise
    • Tai Chi: a series of gentle, meditative movements
    • Qi Gong: a self-healing Eastern technique that reduces stress and improves mood
    • Pilates: a form of exercise that focuses on gentle movements that strengthen muscles, improves flexibility, circulation and balance
    • Social dancing: swing dance and Nia are great forms of exercise to burn calories and promote fitness
    • Zumba: a movement class that uses Latin rhythms to create a dynamic fitness program
    • Meditation: a simple way to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and heart rate; uses focus and breathing techniques
  • Emotional Support ($40 per hour/$20 per half hour)
    • Lifestyle coaching: develop a comprehensive plan to create a new, healthier lifestyle
    • Integrated holographic healing: a blend of talk therapy and hands-on healing

       *   Smoking cessation: talk with an experienced counselor to kick the habit

 

Men's Health Programs and Screenings

 "Us Too" Prostate Cancer Support Group.  
This group offers patients and their families and friends education, information and emotional support while addressing important issues such as:  various treatment options, anxiety and depression, sexual function and self-esteem.  No registration required; walk-ins welcome and light refreshments served.
First Tuesday of each month, 7:30 to 9:00pm
Morristown Memorial Hospital, Malcolm Forbes Amphitheater

Caregiver Support Group for Men
This support group is designed specifically for male caregivers to discuss the challenges they face.  Guest speakers will be invited throughout the year.
First Thursday of the month, 7:00 to 9:00pm
95 Madison Avenue, Suite B06, Morristown, NJ
Sponsor: Alzheimer’s Association
For more information and to register, please call 908-665-1613.

Sleep Disorders (For information call 973-971-4567)

Pediatric Sleep Disorder Center

The Pediatric Sleep Disorder Center, located at Goryeb Children’s Hospital at Morristown Memorial, is staffed by physicians who are board-certified in pulmonology and specially trained in pediatric sleep medicine, as well as pediatric sleep technologists with substantial experience in sleep medicine, neurodiagnostics, nursing and respiratory therapy.

An overnight pediatric sleep study is conducted while the child sleeps in a child-friendly sleep area. A parent or guardian can sleep alongside the child during the test.  Painless sensors attached to the child’s body will monitor brain waves, muscle activity, heart rhythms, respiratory activity and oxygen saturation levels throughout the night. Results are then carefully analyzed by Pediatric Sleep Disorder Center physicians, who will determine a diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring

Obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening disorder, has been linked to depression, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, abnormal heart rhythm, heart attack and stroke. The most common signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue, apnea, and gasping or choking witnessed by a bed partner.

When lying down, the structures in the back of the throat – tongue, tonsils, soft palate – tend to collapse upon each other.  During sleep, the muscles that help keep the airway open permitting regular breathing often relax, leading to excessive narrowing and possibly even complete blocking of the airway.   When this happens, the individual is aroused from sleep, at which time the airway opens again and regular breathing is temporarily reestablished.  However, sleep has been interrupted, reducing its benefits for the body.  This process may be repeated hundreds of times throughout the night, leading to severe sleep fragmentation, as well as reductions in oxygen levels that can cause potentially dangerous complications over time.

Are You at Risk For Sleep Apnea?

Body mass index (BMI) is one of the ways experts evaluate an individual’s potential for obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea, if left untreated, can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, hypertension and diabetes. Signs of sleep apnea include:

  • Snoring  
  • Frequent naps   
  • Feeling tired upon waking in the morning
  • Nocturnal choking 
  • Frequent nighttime urination 
  • A BMI greater than 30
  • Irregular breathing 
  • Neck size greater than 17 (men) or 16 (women) 

If you have any of these risk factors, you should discuss this with your primary care physician or a sleep specialist.