MUSIC THERAPY: The role of music therapy in supporting people with life-threatening illnesses will be explored in a seminar at the University of Limerick on November 23rd from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Australian music therapist and lecturer at the University of Melbourne, Australia, Dr Clare O'Callaghan, will discuss the therapeutic value of songwriting in palliative care and how research into the neural pathways of music and language can inform therapeutic practice. Cost €30. Booking on Tel: 061 213122 or email jane.edwards@ul.ie.
FOCUS ON GLUCOSE: "Controlling Blood Glucose" is the title and theme of a meeting of the Dún Laoghaire branch of the Diabetes Federation of Ireland in the Tara Towers Hotel on Thursday at 8 p.m. Diabetic and medical doctor Dr Tony O'Sullivan and dietician Maeve Moran will address the meeting. All welcome and admission is free.
HEALTH STORE TRAINING: The Irish Association of Health Stores has launched a training initiative for all staff in its member stores. The initiative aims to make the staff more informed about medical conditions so they can better advise customers about safety issues, particularly interactions between certain drugs and herbal or homeopathic remedies.
"We find that some customers may not be aware of the seriousness of their condition or the medication they are taking. They may seek help with problems unrelated to their medical condition and would not think to volunteer information about it or medication they may be taking... There are certain situations in which health products may not be appropriate or in which people should check with their doctors. This training will help us identify these situations," says Nancy Flexman, who developed the training module.
FRUITLESS IRISH: Seven in 10 Irish people eat less than four pieces of fruit per day and one in 10 eat no fruit at all, according to a recent survey. When asked why they don't eat more fruit, 15 per cent said they don't like the taste, 10 per cent said it was not readily available and 9 per cent admitted they were too lazy.
The survey was carried out on behalf of a fruit juice manufacturer that is launching blueberry juice on the Irish market.
Blueberries are particularly valued for their high anti-oxidant levels. Dietary intake of anti-oxidants has been found to protect against several cancers.
Lifelines@irish-times.ie
Lifelines is compiled by Sylvia Thompson