Health glance - 12-1-2008

• Free blood pressure checks

RTA Hospice and Palliative Care offers complimentary blood pressure checks every Tuesday at Desert Rose Retirement Residence, 1545 S. 14th Ave., from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.; at La Mariposa Senior Villas, 701 E. 24th St., from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.; and at Emerald Springs Retirement and Assisted Living Community, 1475 S. 46th Ave., from noon to 1 p.m. Blood pressure checks are offered Thursdays at Sunquest Village, 265 E. 24th St., from 8 to 9 a.m. and Catalina Square Apartments, 3000 Catalina Drive, from 10 to 11 a.m.

No appointments are necessary. Call 344-6100 for more information.

• Depression Bipolar Support Alliance
 
The Yuma Chapter Depression Bipolar Support Alliance holds support meetings every Tuesday for parents with children or teens who are depressed or bipolar. Meetings take place 10 to 11:30 a.m. the first and third Tuesday of the month at the Yuma Community Food Bank board room, 2404 E. 24th St., and 7 to 9 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday, also in the board room. For more information, call Miriam, 580-6645, or Karen, 785-2009.

• Women's cancer support group
 
A support group for women who are cancer survivors meets at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Sunstone Cancer Support Centers' Yuma center, 202 S. 1st Ave., Suite 102.
 
Sunstone also offers massage therapy, reiki therapy and t'ai chi and yoga classes. For more information, call Mary Monk, 783-5595.

• Parkinson's Support Group
 
The Yuma Parkinson's Support Group will meet from noon to 2 p.m. today at Sun Valley, 598 E. 20th St. Lunch or potluck is included. For more information, call Meme Farnsworth at 343-9912.

• Yuma New Life Society
 
The Yuma New Life Society, an organ donor support organization, meets Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Yuma Regional Corporate Center, 399 W. 32nd St. Meetings are open to the public and organ donors and recipients are invited. For more information, Maribel Cross, 376-7014, or Peggy Garcia, 344-3574.

• Support for caregivers
 
The Caregivers Support Group, an informal gathering of nonprofessional caregivers, will meet at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Yuma Community Food Bank, 2325 S. Engler Ave. The group is sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging. For more information, call Cat Trobaugh at 1-928-753-6247 in Kingman.

• Breast cancer group
 
A support group for women who have breast cancer or are survivors will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Yuma Regional Medical Plaza, 1501 W. 24th St. For more information, call 726-0366 or 726-7831.

• Huffers and Puffers
 
The lung disease support group, Huffers and Puffers, will meet at 1:30 p.m. second Thursday at Yuma Regional Medical Plaza, 1501 W. 24th St. The organization is for adults with lung disease and related health problems such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis. For more information, call 336-2784.

• Alzheimer's groups
 
A support group for those caring for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias meets at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Copper Hills House, 12234 North Frontage Road. For more information about the meeting at Copper Hills House, call Margaret Sparks at 342-0425; for information about the Emerald Springs meeting. call Connie Whitener at 782-0002.

• Autism support group
 
The Yuma Parents of Autism Support Group, a support group for parents and families of children with autism, meets Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Kokopelli Room at Yuma Regional Corporate Center, 399 W. 32nd St. For more information, contact Gwen Conner, 210-6914 or autismyuma@yahoo.com.

• Overeaters Anonymous
 
Overeaters Anonymous has three chapters in Yuma area. One meets at 1 p.m. every Monday at Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church, 11273 E. 40th St. in the Foothills. Another meets meets 6:30-7:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Central Church of Christ, 651 W. 28th St. The other meets at noon on Thursdays at Central Church of Christ. Overeaters Anonymous is for anyone who suffers from compulsive overeating, no matter their body size.

• PTSD support group

Women with relatives suffering combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder can join a support group that will show them how to deal with their loved ones' symptoms relating to this chronic condition. The support group meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at 2557 S. Arizona Ave., Suite C.

• Depression bipolar group
 
A support group for people living with depression bipolar mood disorders will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. every Thursday at the Yuma Community Food Bank board room, 2325 S. Engler Ave. off 24th Street. Family and friends are also welcome. The group is affiliated with the National Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (1-800-826-3632). For more information, call Miriam at 783-2632 or Judy at 343-0593.

• Recovery group
 
Recovery, a self-help group for people with nervous symptoms and fears, meets at 7 p.m. every Thursday at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, 150 W. 28th St. For information, call 446-9409 or 329-1260.