Avera St. Luke's News
Find information here about Avera St. Luke's monthly classes and meetings in Aberdeen, SD, and in area towns we serve, as well as the latest wellness programs, screenings, educational seminars, news and other programs designed to help you “to be well." Go to Classes & Events for more details.
Dealing with new grief focus of free session
North Plains Hospice, a program of Avera St. Luke’s, will offer a free session on “Grief Changes a Family: Let’s Focus on New Grief” from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, in Aberdeen at Avera St. Luke’s Education Center, 709 Sixth Ave. S.E.
Grief is a normal response to loss. When a loved one has died, the first year can often feel overwhelming. Each person is unique in the ways of coping and experiencing loss. This program is intended for those who have experienced the death of a loved one during the past year.
Hospice staff will be available to visit with people after the presentation. Refreshments will be served. Preregistration is preferred by calling Avera St. Luke’s Education Department at (605) 622-5588.
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‘Compassionate Parents’ support group
Compassionate Parents, a support group for parents who have experienced the death of a child, meets at 7:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month in Aberdeen at Avera St. Luke’s Education Center, 709 Sixth Ave. S.E.
The support group offers friendship and understanding, promotes positive resolution of grief experiences, and fosters physical and emotional health after the death of a child. Parents, grandparents, family members and friends are invited to attend and learn ways to cope with feelings associated with their loss.
For more information, call Marge Holland, RN, or Judy V. Toennies, RN, at (605) 622-5552 or contact Avera St. Luke’s Education Department at (605) 622-5588.
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Health Care Provider CPR classes
Avera St. Luke's offers Health Care Provider CPR classes for people who work in the health care field. The classes, which feature the American Heart Association standards, are offered the third Wednesday of each month in Aberdeen at Avera St. Luke's Education Center, 709 Sixth Ave. S.E.
First-time participants may choose between two sessions, offered from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 5 to 10 p.m. The class covers the practice of CPR in the healthcare setting for one- and two-man adult, child and infant CPR, obstructed airways instruction, use of the bag mask and the automatic external defibrillator. A fee of $60 covers all materials.
Health care professionals seeking renewal of their CPR skills may choose from several two-hour sessions during the day: 8 to10 a.m., 10 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m., 3 to 5 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m. The fee for the two-hour renewal class is $30.
The deadline for registration is the second Wedneday of the month, one week prior to the class, since materials are mailed to participants in advance. To register, call Avera St. Luke’s Education Department at (605) 622-5588.
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Free blood pressure screenings
Avera St. Luke’s and Avera Mother Joseph Manor hold free blood pressure screenings in Aberdeen each month. Anyone needing transportation to any of these screening locations should call RIDE-LINE at (605) 626-3333 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at least one day prior to the screening.
The times and locations are:
First Tuesday: The Homestead, 9 to 10 a.m.
First Thursday: Fifth Avenue Apartments, 1 to 2 p.m.; Sherman Apartments, 2 to 3 p.m.
Second Wednesday: Bicentennial Apartments, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Third Tuesday: Aberdeen Area Senior Center, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Fourth Wednesday: Avera Mother Joseph Manor, 1 to 2 p.m.
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Heartsaver/AED CPR classes
Avera St. Luke's offers HeartSaver/AED CPR classes for the general public, featuring the American Heart Association standards, on the first Wednesday of each month. These classes are available for new, first-time participants as well as people seeking to renew their CPR skills. HeartSaver/AED CPR are held in Aberdeen at Avera St. Luke's Education Center, 709 Sixth Ave. S.E.
First-time participants may choose either the morning session from 8 a.m. to noon or the evening session from 6 to 10 p.m. The four-hour class covers adult, child and infant CPR, obstructed airways, and the use of the automated external defibrillator (AED). A fee of $60 covers all materials.
Those who wish to renew their CPR skills can choose from several two-hour sessions throughout the day: 8 to 10 a.m., 10 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m., 3 to 5 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m. Renewal class fees are $30 for all materials.
The deadline for registration is one week prior to the class, since materials are mailed to participants in advance. To register, call Avera St. Luke’s Education Department at (605) 622-5588.
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Walk for Wellness
The Walk for Wellness program invites people to use the controlled environment of Lakewood Mall in Aberdeen for a regular, year-round walking program. A one-mile course has been measured out at the mall. Avera St. Luke’s and Lakewood Mall are co-sponsors of this program.
Free monthly educational programs by health care professionals from Avera St. Luke’s are offered at 7 p.m. the third Thursday evening of the month in Lakewood Mall's Community Room, except during the summer months. Blood pressures can be taken from 6:30 to 7 p.m. For more information, call (605) 622-5533.
People interested in participating in “Walk for Wellness” may pick up a brochure at the Lakewood Mall office or the hospital. Those who participate will receive “starter packets” from the Cardiac Rehab Program at Avera St. Luke’s that contain information on the health benefits of walking, diet, stress, cardiac risk factors and stretching exercises. Packets are also available at Bur Mar’s Shoes at the mall. Before beginning a walking program, it is wise to consult your physician, especially when special medical problems exist.
Lakewood Mall is open to walkers from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Walkers are asked to log their miles, since special recognition will be given to participants when they reach their first 100 miles and each 100 miles after that.
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Free Hip and Knee Pain Seminar
Experiencing hip and knee pain? Discover the different causes of arthritis, knee and hip pain, soreness and morning stiffness at a free hip and knee pain seminar from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, in Aberdeen at Avera St. Luke’s Education Center, 709 Sixth Ave. S.E.
Seminars will also be offered at 10 a.m. Oct. 14 and Dec. 9.
Learn about the latest treatments, medications, nutrition and exercise that may offer dramatic relief of your pain. For more information, call Sharon at (605) 622-8639.
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Diabetes Support Group
Avera St. Luke's Diabetes Support Group meets at 2 p.m. the first Thursday of the month in Aberdeen at Avera St. Luke's Education Center, 709 Sixth Ave. SE. The next meeting is Oct. 7.
Speaker will be Sara Weigel, RD, LN, CDE, an Avera St. Luke's diabetes dietitian. Should people with diabetes eat special food? No! This is one of many myths incorporated inot our media and marketing. This presentation will reveal fact from fiction and where to find credible information about diabetes.
The group’s goals are to develop educational methods designed to give those who have diabetes a better understanding of their condition, to disseminate accurate information about diabetes to the general public, to educate the public on the importance of early recognition of diabetes and medical supervision of its treatment, and to provide an opportunity for individuals with diabetes to interact with others and share learning experiences. For more information, call (605) 622-5161.
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Aberdeen Area Parkinson Support Group
Aberdeen Area Parkinson Support Group meets from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month in Aberdeen at Presentation College, 1500 N. Main St., led by Shauna Klipfel, director of Avera St. Luke’s Speech Therapy. Please note the change of meeting place; it will be held in the Sister Edmund Walsh Room in the main Presentation College building. Use door 25 on the north side of the building. Refreshments will be served.
This support group is an informal, self-managed organization of people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers, whose purpose is to share information and offer mutual support in a spirit of self-acceptance. It is also a place where family members and friends can feel welcome and supported.
For more information, contact Klipfel at (605) 622-5772.
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