Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 24, 1995 TAG: 9510240032
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR AND SANDRA BROWN KELLY/STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The latest research into Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain disease that makes a person more and more dependent psychically and mentally, will be discussed at a conference Nov. 8 at the Salem Civic Center.
The gathering is sponsored by the Roanoke/Salem chapter of the Alzheimer's Association and will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $20 and lunch is provided.
Speakers will include two physicians - Dr. Aubrey Knight, an associate director of the Family Practice Residency Program at Roanoke Memorial Hospitals, who will discuss the research, and Dr. David Trinkle, a geropsychiatrist in the Roanoke Valley - who will talk about ``Behavioral Management'' of patients.
Other participants are Marian Doliver-Altman, a social worker, whose topic will be ``Caregivers: Your Best Is Good Enough''; and Mary Johnson, who is with the home care program of Adults Plus at Family Services of Roanoke Valley. Johnson's topic, ``You Are Not Alone,'' also deals with caring for Alzheimer's sufferers.
For reservations or further information, call 563-1816 by Nov. 6.
WIC office moves
The Roanoke WIC program, a supplemental food and nutritional health program for women, infants and children, has moved into the Roanoke City Health Department building, opened a satellite clinic and extended operating hours at another satellite clinic that has been open for one year.
Moving from the Fountain Square office on Second Street to the health department on Eighth Street will not only provide more space but will allow WIC staff to better integrate WIC services with health department services, said Lee Acree, Roanoke WIC director.
WIC also opened a full-service clinic at the Lincoln Terrace public housing development in Northwest Roanoke. WIC had operated a check pick-up site there for several years.
``Most of our patients live in the Northwest Roanoke area,'' Acree said. ``So moving to the health department and Lincoln Terrace will better able us to serve folks where they live.''
Operating hours at WIC's year-old clinic at the Belmont Presbyterian Church in Southeast Roanoke have been extended to better serve people in that area, Acree said.
The Lincoln Terrace clinic, housed in the development's community center at 1801 Dunbar St. N.W., will be open from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Check pick-ups are 8:30-11 a.m. and 1:30-3 p.m. The office phone number is (540) 857-7662.
The Belmont Presbyterian Church at 1005 9th St., S.E. will operate from 8:15 a.m.- 4 :30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check pick-ups are 8:30-11 a.m. and 1:30-3 p.m. The office phone number is (540) 857-6063.
The health department office, at 515 8th St., S.W. will operate Monday through Friday at 8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Check pick-ups are 8:30-11 a.m. and 1:30-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday or by appointment. The office phone numbers are (540) 857-7190 or 857-7191.
Renewed emphasis
The State Board of Health said at a recent meeting in Lexington that it will take a greater leadership role in public health and focus on the review and oversight of the quality of care in the state.
The board is the governing body for the Virginia Department of Health and helps the state's health commission develop policy and introduce regulations.
Of particular concern to the board is the fact that many economically underdeveloped areas of the state are medically underserved, said Lester Lamb, board chairman and chief executive officer of Radford Community Hospital.
The group also said it was pleased that the health department and the Department of Medical Assistance are working together to examine issues of managed care and its impact on citizens in the state. Medical Assistance is responsible for the administration of Medicaid, the federal health care system for the poor that receives state and federal dollars.
The health board also applauded the state's efforts to direct Medicaid recipients into managed care programs but said that any savings from that effort should be used to further health care access rather than be diverted to other uses in the state.
by CNB