Community lung health awareness event planned

STAPLES - Lakewood Health System in Staples has planned a Community Lung Health Awareness Day from 1-5 p.m. Nov. 14 at the main campus in Staples to provide the latest knowledge on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases such as chronic obstructive lung disease.

Other topics at the event will include pulmonary rehabilitation, COPD support group, smoking cessation, lung testing, treatment options, home medical equipment, chronic bronchitis, hereditary form of emphysema, sleep apnea and CPAP equipment.

Snacks and door prizes will be given, as well as free spirometry screenings from 2-3 p.m. A keynote address, sponsored by Baxter BioScience, will be given at 3 p.m. by a pulmonologist.

To sign up for this free event, call (218) 894-8615. Pre-registration is preferred, but not required.

Support for Caregivers Available

Area residents who are primary caregivers for their spouses, parents or other loved ones, are encouraged to attend an informal gathering from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Nov. 20 in Pine River.

The gathering will be facilitated by Bridget Allen of Lutheran Social Service and Angele Hartell of Faith in Action for Cass County. The meeting will be at The Warehouse, 307 Norway Ave., Pine River.

Refreshments will be provided. The gathering will be an opportunity to visit with other caregivers and explore issues affecting participants. In Minnesota there are an estimated 503,523 caregivers, who are affected by sleep deprivation, poor eating habits and high stress levels. For more information contact Allen at (218) 692-1964 or Hartell at (218) 675-5435.