A Picture of Health

Darien Library Health & Wellness Series

Achieving personal wellness requires a conscious decision and commitment to shape a healthy lifestyle. It encompasses self-assessments of how we feel about various aspects of our lives, including our physical and emotional well-being.

At all times, Darien Library is an excellent resource for researching information about health and medical concerns. This fall, we add A Picture of Health, an extensive series of lectures, expert panels, computer workshops, and films. The schedule offers sessions on a variety of health issues, including nutrition, stress management, personal safety for children & teens, pain management, holistic medicine, sleep disorders, and medication management.

Please join us for this important and enriching series.

Lectures, Expert Panels & Meet-the-Author Events
Health Choices Information & Technology Courses
Health & Wellness Film Screenings

Lectures, Expert Panels, & Author Events

Managing Your Medication

Thursday, September 23 at 10:30 AM
Get the 411 on medication safety! While prescription and over-the-counter medications can improve health and overall quality of life, they also contain powerful chemicals with potential to harm when used incorrectly. This presentation will review the general risks and benefits of medication therapy, common medication use problems, and ways everyone can improve medication safety. All participants will complete a medication safety self-assessment. Free medication organizer and a packet of valuable informational materials will be provided. (And for information about "Safe Disposal = Safe Returns," Darien's Free Medication Collection Day on Saturday, October 9, please click here.)

Presented by Elaine Abrams, MPH RN CHES, Certified Health Education Specialist and Community Health Coordinator at Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County (formerly Nursing & Home Care).

Ask the Doctors!

Tuesday, October 5 at 7 PM
It's time to take the anxiety out of the word "healthcare!" Doctors4Darien, a team of four esteemed community physicians, will discuss new research findings and information related to our bodies and our health. The panel will also focus on preventative healthcare from head to toe - literally! From dental care to foot care and everything in between, this is your chance to learn new and better paths to well-being.

Presented by Dr. Maryann Lehmann, D.D.S., Dentist; Dr. Brian P. McKay, D.C., Chiropractor; Dr. Brian S. Sheets, D.O., Ob/Gyn; and Dr. Josephine Velasquez, D.P.M., Podiatrist.

Personal Safety: A Workshop for Kids (ages 9 - 12)

Monday, October 11 from 2 PM to 3:30 PM
In this self-protection class, your children will learn the ABC's of safety in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Practice when and how to say no to strangers, friends, and familiar adults, and when it's time to find safety and ask for help. Sign up for this workshop in the Children's Library, or call (203) 669-5235 for details.

Presented by Michael Robin, certified self-defense instructor.

Medicare 411

Tuesday, October 12 at 10:30 AM
When it comes to understanding Medicare, we know you have tons of questions - so we're giving you the answers! Learn about CHOICES (the Connecticut Health Care Options program), the types of Medicare plans that are available, buying and paying for plans, and how the new healthcare reform benefits you. (CHOICES does not sell insurance, nor does it endorse one plan over another; it is funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Administration on Aging, and the State of CT.)

Presented by Christine Crain, Director of Programs - Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging, and CHOICES Regional Coordinator. The Q&A portion will also feature Inta V. Adams, Assistant Director - Darien Social Services.
 
 

Personal Safety: A Mother/Daughter Workshop (ages 12 - 18)

Saturday, October 16 from 2 PM to 3:30 PM
Learn self-protection skills and safety basics with your teen in this mother/daughter workshop. A definite bonding experience, this class has won rave reviews for improving parent-child communication. Sign up for this program by emailing the Teen Librarian at eleone@darienlibrary.org.

Presented by Michael Robin, certified self-defense instructor.

 

To Eat or Not to Eat? That is the Question.

Tuesday, October 19 at 7 PM
With so many choices available at the supermarket these days, deciding which food to purchase for a healthy lifestyle can be very difficult! What should we be eating? And how much? Our panel of nutrition experts will help address these food issues and more, including overeating, portion-size awareness, making healthful food choices for your family (especially children), the importance of plant-based living, and how to be a budget organic. Healthy snacks will be provided by Whole Foods Market.

Presented by Jessica Yep, MS, RD, CDN - Registered Dietician and Founder of Nutrition Consultants LLC; Mimi MacLean, Holistic Health Coach - The Well Balanced Life; and Ronna Corlin, Healthy Eating Specialist - Whole Foods Market.

 

Meet the Author! Gene Stone

The Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick
Thursday, October 21 at 7 PM
The Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick tells the stories of 25 people who each possess a different secret of excellent health - and shows how we can all use these insights to improve our own lives. The stories make it personal; then comes the science, the expert authority, and the nuts and bolts. From probiotics to veganism to a daily dose of garlic, from yoga to cold showers, it's an extensive list: 25 secrets to health and how to make each work for you. A book signing will follow the presentation. Book will be available for purchase at the event.

Gene Stone is a health-savvy journalist, writer, and former Peace Corps volunteer. He's written and/or ghostwritten more than 30 books, most recently the national bestseller The Engine 2 Diet, with Rip Esselstyn; his articles and columns have appeared in New York, Playboy, Esquire, Vogue, Elle, and GQ.

Integrative/Holistic Approaches to Wellness

Tuesday, October 26 at 7 PM
What is holistic medicine? This modern approach to medicine integrates traditional and complementary therapies to promote optimal health, taking into account physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and environmental factors that affect our overall wellness. Experts from Greenwich Hospital's Center for Integrative Medicine, where hearing the patient's entire story is essential to its more natural approach to wellness, will discuss these integrative and holistic practices, including new ways of thinking about healing.

Presented by Dr. Henri Roca, Medical Director - Greenwich Hospital's Center for Integrative Medicine. The Q&A panel will also include additional experts from the center.

Meet the Author! Beth Lambert

A Compromised Generation:
The Epidemic of Chronic Illness in America's Children
Thursday, October 28 at 7 PM
Children today are being diagnosed with illnesses such as autism, asthma, allergies, and ADHD at breakthtaking rates. A Compromised Generation reveals how environmental factors, specific American lifestyles, and pharmaceutical over-usage are at the root of the epidemic, offering advice on how it can be reversed. A book signing will follow the presentation. Book will be available for purchase at the event.

Beth Lambert is a former healthcare consultant and teacher, and is currently the Executive Director of PEACE: Parents Ending America's Childhood Epidemic, a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to education the public about the epidemic of chronic illness affecting our youth. The Q&A portion will also feature co-author Victoria Kobliner, MS, RD, a registered dietician with extensive experience using diet to help children with autism and related disorders.

Stress Management: Caring for Ourselves, Empowering Our Children

Friday, November 12 at 11 AM
We all live busy lives, and trying to fit our commitments into a 24-hour day while juggling the needs of our family, friends, and ourselves sometimes seems impossible! But no matter how busy we are, it is important to find ways to manage stress to maintain a healthy lifestyle and overall sense of well-being. This panel discussion will provide specific tips for reducing stress for ourselves while helping our children to develop healthy stress-management habits, as well.

Presented by representatives from The Child Guidance Center of Southern CT, Darien Youth Options, and Family Centers.

Healthy Choices (Lecture + Technology Series)

Registration Required

People are turning to the internet more than ever to find health and wellness information. But with so many online options, how can we be sure we're getting the best information out there? This unique health education series combines lectures by world-class physicians with hands-on computer workshops that will help you to become a more information-literate healthcare consumer and to make more informed health decisions for you and your family. Co-sponsored by Stamford Hospital.

Each session will take place in Darien Library's Technology Lab (lower level) and consist of a lecture on a health-related topic, followed by a hands-on workshop that will teach you how to find corresponding health information online.

Registration for Healthy Choices is open to all Darien residents, those who work full-time in Darien, and non-resident Friends of the Library at the Contributor level ($300 annual donation). To register, visit darienlibrary.org. (Registration begins in mid-September). All registrants will be notified via email or phone to confirm that your registration has been accepted. If you have any questions about registration, contact Judy Sgammato at jsgammato@darienlibrary.org or (203) 669-5256.

A Focus on Sleep Disorders

Monday, October 4 at 7 PM
Guest Lecture: Steven A. Thau, MD, FCCP, Associate Director of Sleep Center - Stamford Hospital
Workshop Instructor: Judy Sgammato, Technology Manager - Darien Library

Living Healthy with Diabetes

Friday, October 15 at 10 AM
Guest Lecture: Debbie Milne, RN, CDE, Director of Diabetes & Endocrine Center - Stamford Hospital
Workshop Instructor: Guillaume Van Moorsel, Director, Health Science Library - Stamford Hospital

All About Pain Management

Tuesday, October 26 at 10 AM
Guest Lecture: Vincent Carlesi, MD, Pain Management Specialist - Stamford Hospital
Workshop Instructor: Guillaume Van Moorsel, Director, Health Science Library - Stamford Hospital
 

Increasing Vitality with Herbs

Monday, November 8 at 7 PM
Guest Lecture: Joseph Feuerstein, MD, Director of Integrative Medicine - Stamford Hospital
Workshop Instructor: Judy Sgammato, Technology Manager - Darien Library

Health & Wellness Films

Good Night with the Sleep Doctor

Thursday, September 30 at 7 PM
Noted sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus explains how your genes, environment, job, and physiology may be hampering your sleep and in turn, dramatically affecting your waking life. In the PBS lecture, he shows  that getting the proper quality and quantity of sleep can help rejuvinate your mind and body, increase your energy, help you lose weight, take years off of your appearance, and more. Not Rated; 79 minutes (2007).

Just Add Spice: Parenting for Happy, Healthy Kids

Monday, October 18 at 2 PM
Follow four families as they attempt to instill healthy habits in their kids by using a set of proven positive parenting skills represented by the acronym SPICE (Structure, Praise, Inspire, Consistency, and Enjoy) - including how to deal with children who refuse to eat healthy foods and turn to sedentary forms of entertainment. Not Rated, 90 minutes (2010).

Food, Inc.

Monday, October 18 at 7 PM
This controversial documentary film lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, which is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health. We have bigger, better, longer-lasting food, but the consequences may often outweigh the benefits. Named one of the ten best films of 2009 by Entertainment Weekly. Rated PG; 94 minutes (2009).
 
 

The Alternative Fix

Monday, October 25 at 2 PM
The past few years have seen an explosion in the popularity of complementary and alternative medicine. Under pressure from everyone from consumers to Congress, major hospitals and medical schools have embraced therapies that were once dismissed as quackery. But the question remains: Do these treatments actually work? PBS's Frontline examines the controversy over complementary and alternative medical treatments. Not Rated; 60 minutes (2004).
 

The Way We Get By

Wednesday, November 10 at 2 PM
A deeply moving documentary film about life and how to live it. Beginning as a seemingly idiosyncratic story about a group of senior citizens who gather daily at a small airport to thank American soldiers departing and returning from Iraq, the film quickly turns into an incredibly compassionate story about aging, loneliness, war, and mortality. Winner of the 2009 SXSW Special Jury Award. Not Rated; 84 minutes (2009).