Vision Loss
People with fading vision can learn to maintain their independence, at a six-week course offered by the Braille Institute. The nonprofit organization’s classes teach new ways of doing household tasks, plus how to use visual aids and how to receive talking books. For times and locations, call Sharon Ziegler at (323) 663-1111, Ext. 1252, or go to https://www.brailleinstitute.org.
EDUCATION
* Tuesday: “New Developments in Cancer Research,” led by doctors from John Wayne Cancer Institute, will focus on gastrointestinal cancers, bone and endocrine disease, and lymphoma. Shutters at the Beach, 1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. 6:30 p.m. Free. Reservations. (310) 829-8324.
* Wednesday: “Bariatric Surgery Information Conference” will teach about gastric bypass surgery. Huntington Memorial Hospital, 100 W. California Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. Reservations. (626) 449-0694.
* Thursday: “Diabetes Update and Workshop” will focus on Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, plus insulin resistance syndrome. Jamila Diabetes and Endocrine Center, 166 N. Moorpark Road, Suite 304, Thousand Oaks. 12:30 p.m. Free. Reservations. (805) 495-7143.
SCREENINGS
* Wednesday: Memory screenings (first and third Mondays). Sherman Oaks Hospital’s SAGE Center, 5000 Van Nuys Blvd. 1-3 p.m. Free. Reservations. (818) 990-2573.
* Thursday: Alcohol abuse screenings will be held at 1,500 sites across the country as part of National Alcohol Screening Day. To find a screening site, call (800) 405-9200.
STUDIES
The Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA seeks insulin- and non-insulin-dependent diabetics, ages 18 to 70, for a three-year study of a new drug therapy for early-stage and mild advanced-stage diabetic retinopathy. Treatment costs will be covered. (310) 206-8137 or (310) 206-1664.
Researchers at UCLA are seeking women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer for a three-year study to determine whether a low-fat, high-fiber diet supplemented with soy may slow growth of the disease. (310) 206-8292.
SUPPORT GROUPS
* Tuesday: Lung cancer group (meets first and third Tuesdays). Northridge Hospital’s Roscoe campus, 18300 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Reservations. (818) 885-8500.
* Tuesday: Depression and Manic Depressive Assn. group for people with depression or bipolar disorder (meets every Tuesday). Huntington Memorial Hospital, 100 W. California Blvd., Pasadena. 7-9 p.m. Free. Reservations. (626) 397-2315.
* Wednesday: Osteoporosis group. (Meets bimonthly on the first Wednesday of the even-numbered months.) Little Company of Mary Hospital, Del E. Webb Health Education Building, 4101 Torrance Blvd., Torrance. 7 p.m. Free. Reservations. (310) 325-7048.
* Wednesday: Sleep apnea group (meets first Wednesdays). Northridge Hospital’s Roscoe campus, 18300 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. (818) 885-8500, Ext. 2782.
* Thursday: Group for family members of people with mental disorders, sponsored by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. (meets first and third Thursdays). Northridge Hospital’s Roscoe campus, 18300 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge. 7 p.m. Free. (818) 885-5348.
* Friday: Stroke group (meets first and third Fridays). Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, 1420 S. Central Ave. 2-3 p.m. Free. (818) 502-1900, Ext. 4787.
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