Weigh and Win, a free community weight loss program, has installed a kiosk in the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association lobby.

The program, aimed at reducing obesity rates in Colorado, provides cash incentives to participants who reach their weight-loss goals. Participants weigh in quarterly (every 90 days) at the kiosk. Between weigh-ins, they receive daily emails or texts with tips on healthy eating, exercise and overcoming weight-loss barriers.

Participation is free. The kiosk is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Steamboat Springs VNA, 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101.

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Participants can enroll at the kiosk, at http://www.weighandwin.com or by texting JOIN to 303-500-1702. For more information, visit http://www.weighandwin.com or call 970-871-7634.

Support groups to meet this week

• A bereavement support group meets from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at Rollingstone Respite House. The group is open to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. Call 970-871-7628 prior to attending your first meeting.

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• A domestic violence support group for women is from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Advocates Building Peaceful Communities. Call Diane at 970-879-2034 before attending.

• A Heartbeat Suicide Survivor support group meeting is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Yampa Valley Medical Center’s Integrated Health campus, 3001 S. Lincoln Ave. The group is for survivors to learn skills to help manage grief. Enroll by calling 970-846-8182.

• A depression, anxiety and bipolar support group meets from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in Conference Room 2 at Yampa Valley Medical Center, 1024 Central Park Drive. The group provides support, education and tools to help with everyday life. Family and friends are welcome. Call 970-819-2232 for more information.

• A Parkinson’s care partners meeting for those who care for people with Parkinson’s disease is from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday. For the meeting location, contact 970-879-0518 or sherilu1@gmail.com.

• The Heartbeat of Steamboat support group meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Rollingstone Respite House, 480 Rollingstone Drive. The group is for those who have lost a loved one or friend.

• The Steamboat Meditation Recovery Group meets Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. at the Buddhist Center of Steamboat Springs, 2250 Copper Frontage Road, No. 202. The group also has a recovery-based yoga beforehand at 4:30 p.m. The group will explore recovery through meditation, book study and all open discussion. Meetings are open to all faiths and addictions. For more information, call 720-670-8642.

• A cancer support group to help cancer patients deal with pain, nausea, fatigue and side effects is from noon to 1 p.m. Fridays at Integrated Health, 3001 S. Lincoln Ave., Suite A. For more information, call 970-846-4717.

New Aging Well classes offered

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association is offering two new fitness classes at the Steamboat Springs Community Center. Zumba Gold® is from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays through Feb. 24. This is beginning class.

A Balance class is from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays. This class focuses on activities that enhance core strength to improve balance and prevent falls in a real-life situations.

There is a suggested donation of $5 per class for both new classes. For more information, visit http://www.nwcovna.org or call 970-871-7676.

Tobacco Free Program gores until Feb. 10

The Tobacco Free Program provides peer support and help overcoming nicotine addiction and quitting smoking or using smokeless tobacco.

A new series of classes will be from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays now through Feb. 10 at the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association in Steamboat Springs, 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101.

Participation is free. It is recommended participants attend all six classes, but drop-ins also are welcome. To sign up or speak to a Tobacco Cessation Counselor, call 970-871-7338.

VNA drop-in flu clinics are Thursdays

Flu cases are increasing in Colorado, and drop-in flu clinics are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101.

The vaccine is $21.50 for adults and children’s flu shots and $21.50 for children’s FluMist. Insurance will be processed, so bring your insurance cards.

It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to become effective. For more information, call 970-879-1632.

Open enrollment sessions available until Feb. 10

Open enrollment sessions for health insurance will be held every Tuesday through Feb. 10 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Yampa Valley Medical Center.

Drop in for a one-on-one assistance from a certified health coverage guide. Learn more about qualifying for free or low-cost health insurance through Colorado Medicaid for adults, CHP+ for children or reduce-cost plans through Connect for Health.

Schedule an appointment by visiting http://northwestcoloradovisitingnurseassociation2.fullslate.com.

Parkinson’s exercise class offered on Fridays

The Parkinson’s exercise class consists of exercises developed by neuroscientist Becky Farley (http://www.pwr4life.org) and Gary Sobol (who has Parkinson’s and is the founder of GZ Sobol’s Parkinson’s Network: http://www.parkinsonsnetwork.org) to specifically address Parkinson’s symptoms (eg., dexterity, rigidity, balance, bradykinesia, voice softness). The class participants warm up their muscles, focus on big, powerful movements and loud voices, and work together as a group to encourage one another, share tips and revel in good humor.

The classes are from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Fridays at the United Methodist Church of Steamboat Springs, Eighth and Oak streets. Use the alley entrance. Occasionally, the classes will be held at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp.

The first class is no charge, and after that, it’s $10 for drop in and $80 for a 10-punch card. Care partners are no charge. Contact Jacqueline Teuscher at 303-829-2869 or jacqueline.teuscher@gmail.com or Eva Gibbon at 970-846-9887.

VNA offers low-cost vaccinations

The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). Tetanus is a serious disease caused by a toxin (poison) made by bacteria that’s commonly found in soil. Tetanus does not spread from person to person. The bacteria enter the body through breaks in the skin — usually cuts or puncture wounds.

Tetanus vaccination is recommended for everyone and should be repeated every 10 years. Immunizations including Tdap and other routine recommended vaccinations are covered by insurance.

If you are uninsured, the cost is $21.50 per shot. Call the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association in Craig at 970-824-8233 or in Steamboat Springs at 970-879-1632 to make your appointment.

Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program offered through VNA

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association is offering the Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program.

This free program offers four prenatal smoking cessation sessions. Expectant moms who quit smoking and stay smoke free during their pregnancy and after their baby is born will receive a monthly voucher for free diapers, for as many as 12 months.

For more information, call Hope Cook, RN, at 970-871-7622.

Casey’s Pond Senior Living in need of bingo prizes

Donations now are being accepted for jewelry, small stuffed animals or similar items to be used as bingo prizes at the Doak Walker House at Casey’s Pond Senior Living in Steamboat Springs.

Drop them off at the concierge desk or call Celia with questions at 970-457-4883.

Northwest Colorado VNA offers options to help quit tobacco

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association offers options for those looking to quit smoking. The VNA has counseling available to help tobacco users of all ages to quit using cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. Quitting tobacco usually takes multiple attempts, but studies show cessation support can significantly improve a person’s chance for success. Counseling helps tobacco users set quit goals in a judgment-free environment. Participants also may receive support for weight management, nutrition, heart health and stress control. There is no fee for this service. It is available in English and Spanish. To be connected with a Cessation Counselor in Steamboat Springs or Craig, call 970-871-7634.

Other programs the VNA offer include:

• The Colorado QuitLine, which offers free personalized cessation phone support for smokers. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

• SmokefreeTXT program provides free personalized text message support. Text the word QUIT to IQUIT (47848).

Tai chi classes offered through Aging Well program

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association’s Aging Well program is offering a tai chi class at the Steamboat Springs Community Center.

Tai chi helps strengthen bones and muscles, improve balance and confidence, reduces stress and encourages relaxation. Tai Chi for Health: Practice the Art is from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays with Nancy Smith. The classes are free, but a $3 donation is suggested. For more information, call 970-871-7676.

To submit a health brief, email happenings@SteamboatToday.com.