Hospital Posts Classes, Health Activities For January

BRIDGEPORT — Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant Street, recently announced its program of screenings, support groups and classes for January. Programs are at the hospital unless otherwise specified

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

 Fairfield Senior Center, 100 Mona Terrace, 9:30 to 11:30 am Monday, January 5, and Tuesday, January 20

 Stratford Baldwin Center, 1000 West Broad Street, 9:30 to 11:30 am Monday, January 12

 Shelton Senior Center, 81 Wheeler Street, 12 to 2 pm Monday, January 26

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

Better Breathing Club — The Better Breathing Club will meet 1:30 pm Friday, January 30, in Bridgeport Hospital’s first-floor duPont Board Room. The club provides educational and emotional support for people with chronic respiratory conditions. For information, call toll free 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. To register, call 203-384-4497.             

*American Heart Association Adult, Child and Infant CPR (two-year certification), 6 to 9 pm Wednesday, January 7. The cost is $45.

 *Pediatric First Aid and Safety and American Heart Association Infant and Child CPR, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Saturday, January 3, and Saturday, January 24. The cost is $75 for the full class and $45 for the first-aid portion only.

*Administration of Medicine, 6 to 9 pm Tuesday, January 13. The cost is $25 or $15 for injectable medications only.

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

Smoking Cessation Classes — Bridgeport Hospital will offer its next series of Quit Smart smoking cessation classes 6 to 7:30 pm Tuesdays, January 6, 20, and 27 and February 3, in the first-floor duPont Board Room. The tuition of $75 covers all four classes and the Quit Smart stop-smoking kit. Free parking is available in the Agnes & Ernie Kaulbach Parking Pavilion outside the main entrance. For information or to register, call 888-357-2396.

Ostomy Support — The United Ostomy Chapter of Greater Bridgeport will meet 2 pm Sunday, January 18, 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.

Senior Driving Course — AARP’s Senior Driver Safety Program will be offered 9 am to 1 pm Saturday, January 10, and Saturday, January 17, in the first-floor duPont Board Room. A fee of $12 for AARP members and $14 for nonmembers covers handouts and instructional materials. To register, call 888-357-2396. Classes are taught by trained AARP instructors. Successful completion may entitle seniors to a discount on their automobile insurance premium.

Physician Information and Referrals — Bridgeport Hospital provides free information on, and referrals to, more than 500 affiliated physicians 24 hours a day. Call 888-357-2396 for information on physician specialties, office hours, and locations, as well as insurance plans accepted. Bridgeport Hospital physicians represent more than 70 medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties, including internal medicine/family practice, ob/gyn, orthopedics, pediatrics, and psychiatry.

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.