Free Vision Screenings
Offered monthly, at the Good Neighbor Health Clinic, White River Junction
Providing:
- Free eye screenings
- Referral to Professional Optometrists (as required)
- Free eye glasses (as required)
Please call the Good Neighbor Clinic to schedule an appointment at 802-295-1868
Public Benefits Assistance Help Now Available
at The Thompson
Offered by the Windsor County Community Health ClinicMarch 3, 9:00 – 2:00 pm
- Medicare for new enrollees – Parts A, B and D
- 3SquaresVT
- Fuel assistance
- Social Security enrollment
- Medication affordability and grant opportunities
Wellness and Foot Care Clinics
With Carmen Sleeper, RN
Blood Pressure Screenings
Fourth Thursday of each month, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Foot Care Clinic by appointment
1st Friday of the month, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
2nd Friday of the month, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
4th Thursday of the month, 12:30 – 3:00 pm
Fall Prevention Clinic at The Thompson
Provided by Upper Valley Rehab Physical Therapists
Falls are not a normal part of aging and can result in more serious injuries over time, but the risks can be reduced by working on all the possible causes.
Upper Valley Rehab will be offering a Fall Prevention Clinic at the Thompson Center and will provide free comprehensive fall risk Screenings for people who have fallen or who have a fear of falling. At the Clinic/Assessment, a licensed physical therapist will ask participants to complete a fall assessment screen which will include a history of previous falls and what might be causing them. Additionally, a therapist will screen participant’s gait, balance, range of motion, strength and sensation and ask questions regarding home environment, fear of falling concerns, and pertinent medical history that can contribute to falls. This total assessment will include your screen results, which can be sent to your primary care physician, and recommendations for treatment if needed. Each comprehensive assessment is about fifteen minutes and will require an appointment.
NEW! Gentle Yoga Class
With Instructor Linda Harvey, PT
In this new class series, Linda, will guide her students through a gentle yoga practice with the option of being seated in a chair or on a floor mat. With practice, benefits of yoga are numerous and include but are not limited to: increased muscle strength and tone, improved respiration, energy and vitality, stress management, and protection from injury. No previous experience is required. Please bring mats if you have one, and wear loose and comfortable clothing. Pre-registration is requested but walk-ins will be welcome.
Linda has over 30 years of experience as a physical therapist at Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center MAHHC) and Ottauquechee Health Center (OHC) and has practiced yoga for over 20 years. She is currently enrolled in an intensive 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Evolution Physical Therapy and Yoga Studio in Burlington VT.
Moving Forward with Parkinson’s Disease: New Treatments and Avenues of Research
Presented by Diane Sherman, Coordinator, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Resource CenterThursday, March 19, 1:00 pm
- Newly available treatments to help ease the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
- Interesting and promising research programs
- Gut-brain connection
- Inflammation
- Targeting alpha-synuclein
- Clinical research programs at DHMC
Diane Sherman received her PhD in Biology from Yale University in 1988, and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Wisconsin in 1992. She was an instructor and research professor at Dartmouth College for 14 years before joining Dartmouth-Hitchcock in 2006 as Coordinator of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Resource Center
Hand or Foot Reflexology
Offered by Deborah Neuhof, Certified Reflexologist
Experience Reflexology techniques to de-stress and promote a balanced, wholistic well-being. Loose clothing recommended. Call in advance to make your appointment.
Grief 101
Presented by Darcy Bagley, BSW, GC-CCertified Grief Counselor/Bereavement Coordinator, Hospice (VTH), BAYADA Home Health Care
As a bereavement coordinator, the phrase heard most often is, “is what I’m feeling normal?” In this one hour session, we will discuss anticipatory grief, normal vs. complicated grief, as well as talk about self-care techniques for those coping with grief.
Chair Massage
Thursdays, 10:00 – 12:00 am
FITNESS H2O on FREE SENIOR FRIDAYS
Upper Valley Aquatic Center
9:15 – 10:10 amA low-impact, low-intensity class in the shallow-water, focusing on overall strength, endurance, balance, and flexibility. Seniors get in free to all of UVAC facility Fridays 9-11am! This is a free walk-in class for those 65 and older. All fitness levels are welcome.
Transportation provided by The Thompson Center upon request.
Tai Chi for Health & Balance
Beginner 9:30 am, Advanced 10:45 am
March 4, 11, 18, 25
Our Thompson Tai Chi classes provide a weekly hour of enjoyable time when you can improve your balance, body alignment, coordination, memory, and pleasure in movement. The slow, gentle steps of tai chi have surprising ability to strengthen the legs, while the arm gestures engage muscles in the back and core. Many class participants find tai chi a great stress reducer! Instructors Anne and Jane offer encouragement and really enjoy teaching.
Fall classes for the remainder of 2019 will start up Wednesday, Sept. 4th, right after Labor Day. The beginner/intermediate class runs from 9:30-10:30 and the more advanced group meets from 10:45-11:45. If you have questions, please call Anne at 457-2877. We’ll have classes every Wednesday except Oct. 23, Nov. 27, and Dec. 25. Cost is $3 per class.
Strengthen and Stretch Class
This popular class incorporates aerobics, stretching, strength and weight bearing exercises. The benefits of these exercises include strengthening, bone building, balance and overall conditioning and coordination. Cost is $3.00 per class.
Water Aerobics is Back!
Fridays March 6 – May 15 ( no class on March 27) 1:30 – 2:15 pm 10 sessions/ $80
Water aerobics is a great low impact way to work your body in the water. This class works on cardiovascular training, strength training with water weights and noodles plus flexibility. We listen to great music and have fun moving our bodies to their full capacity with the safety of the water around you.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Ongoing, on the third Wednesday of each month, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Support and education can make a critical difference for family members and caregivers of patients with memory loss or disorders such as Alzheimer’s. Please join our confidential monthly support group (with complimentary lunch) and share ideas, concerns, and constructive feedback with others facing similar challenges.
Bone Builders
Tuesday and Thursday at 3:00 pm
The Bone Builders exercise program, developed at Tufts University, addresses bone health for people of all ages. Women especially may have thinning of bones as early as age 40, but men are welcome in this class and will benefit as well.
Bone Builders classes, with instructor Althea Derstine, are ongoing on Monday and Thursday each week. Classes are free. Minimum of six participants required. Please sign up in advance.
MEMOIR CLUB
Ongoing, Mondays, 10:15 am – noon
In this informal group, we encourage one another as we record stories that may otherwise be lost or forgotten. Each person has an opportunity to read aloud one to two pages each week often triggering group memories and lively discussion. No pressure… reading is optional!
Veggie VanGo Program
VeggieVanGo is a mobile nutrition program of the Vermont Foodbank that provides FREE fresh produce for people facing hunger. So if you know of an individual, family or patient who might benefit from receiving a delivery of fresh, healthy veggies, you can help by sharing this information and encouraging them to pick up their FREE vegetables. And if you, or members of your family could benefit from the program, we hope you’ll come too! Visit Vermont Foodbank for more information.
ADVANCE DIRECTIVE CLINIC
2nd Monday of the month, 1:00 – 3:00 pm, by appointment
Would your loved ones know your wishes about medical care if you were unable to speak for yourself? There is a legal document called an Advance Directive that you can complete to give guidelines about your wishes and appoint someone to represent you if you are not able. We have arranged for a trained and caring volunteer to be at the Thompson Center every 2nd Monday from 1pm – 3pm. These volunteers will take the time to explain both the document and the simple process used to make your wishes known. The most important part of this process is talking to those you love about what matters most to you. You can call 457-3277 to schedule an appointment.
Get Your Medical Questions Answered by a Gifford Medical Center Health Care Provider
Do you have a medical question that you would like answered by a medical professional? Tune in to the Royalton Community Radio program, “On Call”, on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 -7:00 pm on FM channel 96.5. If there is a specific topic you would like to hear about, call Nikki Gewirz, P.A. at 802-763-2700 or email her at ngewirz@giffordmed.org.