Lifestyle in spotlight at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - Griffin Hospital invites the community to experience its new lifestyle change and disease self-management programs at a free Wellness Open House from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 15 in the hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division St.

The event will feature presentations and information about Griffin’s evidence-based lifestyle change program, Wellness for Life, and its Live Well Chronic Disease Self-Management and Diabetes Self-Management programs. 

There will also be information on other fitness and preventative health programs and support groups offered at Griffin.

“We’re living longer and longer with each generation, so it’s important that we understand how to strengthen our vitality and make sure chronic diseases and disorders don’t limit our ability to get the most out of life,” said Exercise Physiologist and Wellness for Life Director Eunice Lisk. 

“These programs give you the tools and know-how in order to lead a healthy and productive life for many, many years.”

Wellness for Life
Wellness for Life is a 12-week, evidence-based lifestyle change program that helps prevent and treat many chronic diseases.

According to a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 80 percent of chronic diseases, like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, can be prevented with better lifestyle choices in nutrition, activity and emotional health.

Wellness for Life focuses on hands-on learning, featuring a Fitbit activity tracker, a personal health coach, and weekly group sessions to establish healthy weight control, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve sleep and energy, and increase personal strength and resilience.

A pilot of this program run at Griffin Hospital in 2014 succeeded in significant weight loss and reductions in blood pressure for participants, receiving a 96 percent rating in meeting expectations and an “A” grade for all of the presentations by the expert speakers.

Live Well
The Live Well self-management programs help individuals suffering from chronic conditions take back control of their lives.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, one of four adults in the U.S. has two or more chronic health conditions.

The Live Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshops provide health information and strategies to help those with chronic conditions like diabetes, depression, heart disease, arthritis, and pain and anxiety increase their energy and manage their health.

The Live Well Diabetes Self-Management Workshops focus on several topics for those with diabetes, including what to eat, foot care, low and high blood sugar, sick day guidelines, tips for dealing with stress, and how to set small and achievable goals.

To register and for more information about the Wellness Open House, contact Lisk at 203-732-7107 or elisk@griffinhealth.org. 
For more information about Wellness for Life or the Live Well self-management workshops, visit griffinhealth.org.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talks about medications

DERBY - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two free discussions about medication management for those living with diabetes April 14 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Mary Swansiger will present “Managing Your Medications,” providing tips on taking your medication safely and a review of diabetes medications. Individual counseling will be available after the program, so participants are encouraged to bring their medication list.

The presentation will be offered at 2:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Childbirth Classroom A and at 6:30 p.m. in the hospital Dining Room. Ask for directions to these rooms at the front desk.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September - June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges and day-to-day dietary concerns. 

All diabetics and their families are welcome to attend. No registration is required. 

Free valet parking is available for the 2:30 p.m. session. 

For more information, call Mary Swansiger, BSN, MPH, at 203-732-1137.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Author to discuss railroad history at Shelton community

Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community. / Contributed photo

SHELTON - Local rail-trail historian and author Sue A. DelBianco will offer a slide presentation, "Rails to Back Trails," at 2 p.m. April 28 at Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community on the Wesley Village Campus, 580 Long Hill Ave. 

The presentation will use captivating images to tell the story of the train line that ran from Bridgeport-Pittsfield, Mass., promoting industry and linking communities from 1840-1942. 

Today, the abandoned rail corridor from Trumbull-Newtown has become one of Connecticut's best recreational trails called "Rails to Trails". Why did the train line vanish? DelBianco will tell you the real story. 

This presentation is free and open to the public. DelBianco will also have copies of her video, "Rails to Trails: A Journey Back in Time,” which tells the story of the train line from Bridgeport through the Trumbull Valley. 

Light refreshments will be available. 

For information contact 203-225-5000.   

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

American Legion to host walk in Shelton to benefit medical center

Breast health is topic of event at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - Expert advice and insight on breast health and breast cancer screenings will be offered Thursday from The Hewitt Center For Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital's Medical Director, Denise Baragas, MD, FACS and other breast experts. 

The event will start at 5:30 p.m. with a light dinner in the Griffin Hospital dining room. 

A program and panel discussion will follow at 6:30 p.m. in the hospital's Meditation and Learning Center.

The hospital is at 130 Division St.

Bring a friend and bring your questions or concerns. 

Registration is required; call 203-732-7233.

*Info shared from the Griffin Hospital Facebook page.

TEAM helps Derby family

Please click here to read a heartwarming story by New Haven Register correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich about how the staff at TEAM, Inc. assisted a Derby family that had hit hard times.

Reminder: Ansonia High School to host concert Thursday

ANSONIA - Music teacher Maria Tangredi and the Ansonia High School Music Department will hold their annual Spring Concert at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Ruth Feinberg-Connors Auditorium at Ansonia High School, 20 Pulaski Highway.

Admission is $4 per person or free with the contribution of an unopened package of diapers for the Valley United Way's Diaper Bank.

The diaper drive is a service project coordinated by the AHS Class of 2017.

The concert will feature performances by the AHS Concert Band and Mixed Chorus, Vocal Vibes, various small ensemble and solo acts, and a featured act by the AHS Drum Line called, "Talkin' Trash."

Funds raised help to cover the cost of stage decorations, flowers for seniors and officers, and also helps defray the cost of transportation for an annual adjudication trip to the Trills and Thrills Festival.


This information is shared from the Ansonia Public Schools' Facebook page.

Seymour Rec offers movie, animation programs

*Sharing from the Facebook page of the Office of the Seymour First Selectman.