Senior Scene Magazine

Parrish Healthcare Announces Community Support Groups Scheduled for August

Parrish Healthcare offers a wide range of free support groups designed to meet people where they are. Whether you’re navigating a new health diagnosis or adjusting to life changes such as becoming a caregiver or new parent, our support groups provide a safe, welcoming space to connect, share and grow. Our August 2026 schedule is as follows:

Parrish Healthcare A.W.A.K.E Sleep Support Group
This group is dedicated to exchanging information and increasing awareness of sleep, sleep disorders and related health concerns. Everyone with an interest in sleep and health is encouraged to attend.
• When: Monday, August 10; 6-7:30 p.m.
• Where: Parrish Healthcare Center in Port St. John (Manatee Conference Room), 5005 Port St. John Pkwy., Port St. John
• For additional information, please contact our Sleep Support Team at 321-268-6408
• To register, visit parrishhealthcare.com/Sleep

Parrish Healthcare Cancer and Survivor Support Group
This group is for cancer patients, cancer survivors and anyone affected by the disease. Enjoy refreshments and talk with others sharing similar situations and experiences.
• When: Wednesday, August 19; 4-5:30 p.m.
• Where: Parrish Healthcare Center in North Titusville, 490 North Washington Ave., Titusville
• Facilitated by Shannon Luker, RN, BSN, OCN, CBCN
• For additional information, please contact Shannon Luker at 321-268-6111, ext. 3544
• To register, visit parrishhealthcare.com/CancerSupport

Parrish Healthcare Caring for Caregivers Support Group
Caregiving is a rewarding, yet demanding, labor of love. Join our support group to learn how to care for yourself while you care for your loved one.
• When: Thursday, August 13 and 27; 9:30-11:30 a.m.
• Where: Heritage Hall, 931 N. Washington Ave., Titusville
• Facilitated by Janet Rooks, MA, CDP
• For additional information, please contact Janet Rooks at 321-268-6800
• To register, visit parrishhealthcare.com/CaregiverSupport

Parrish Healthcare Decoding Diabetes Class
This free community class is designed for individuals with diabetes ages 18 and older. It will include information on nutrition and meal planning, physical wellness, preventing complications and much more!
• When: Monday, August 24; 2:30-4:30 p.m.
• Where: Heritage Hall, 931 N Washington Ave., Titusville
• Facilitated by Josh Garsow
• For additional information, please contact Josh Garsow at 321-268-6111, ext. 6265
• To register, visit parrishhealthcare.com/DecodingDiabetes

Early Steps Community Play Date
A special play date for children five and under and their parent(s)/guardian(s).
• When: Wednesday, August 26; 9-10:30 a.m.
• Where: The Children’s Center, 5650 S. Washington Ave., Titusville
• Facilitated by Mary Cancel, Family Resource Specialist
• For additional information, please contact Mary Cancel at (321) 292-1370
• To register, visit parrishhealthcare.com/EarlySteps

Parrish Healthcare’s Fearless Café
A collaboration with St. Francis and Parrish Healthcare, this group shares a casual discussion about advanced directives, power of attorney, wills, living wills and challenging conversations about death and dying.
• When: Wednesday, August 5; 10-11 a.m.
• Where: Heritage Hall, 931 N. Washington Ave., Titusville
• Facilitated by Janet Rooks, MA, CDP
• For additional information, please contact Janet Rooks at 321-268-6800
• To register, visit parrishhealthcare.com/FearlessCafe

Parrish Healthcare Mom’s Support Group
A group for mothers with babies. During this time, moms will be able to discuss topics such as infant feeding, sleeping, milestones, car seats, play, development, post-partum care, birth control, post-partum depression, dietary needs and much more.
• When: Mondays, August 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31; 10-11 a.m.
• Where: The Children’s Center, 5650 S. Washington Ave., Titusville
• Facilitated by Heather Focht, RN, BSN, IBCLC
• For additional information, please contact Heather Focht, via email at [email protected].
• No registration required but to learn more visit parrishhealthcare.com/Moms

Parrish Healthcare Stroke and Heart Failure Survivor Support Group
If you, or someone you care for, has received a diagnosis or experienced a stroke or heart attack, our community is here to support you.
• When: Tuesday, August 18; 2-4 p.m.
• Where: Heritage Hall, 931 N. Washington Ave., Titusville
• Facilitated by Janet Rooks, MA, CDP
• For additional information, please contact Janet Rooks at 321-268-6800
• To register, visit parrishhealthcare.com/StrokeandHeartSupport

Tools to Quit Smoking Now
We know quitting to***co isn’t easy, but finding help should be. Parrish Healthcare has partnered with To***co Free Florida to offer this free class which equips those to use to***co with tools and services to quit.
• When: Tuesday, August 25; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Where: Parrish Medical Center, 951 N. Washington Ave., Titusville (Conference Room 6)
• Facilitated by Jennifer Wolowitz, To***co Free Florida (Phone: 407-889-2292 ext. 102)
• To register, visit parrishhealthcare.com/QuitSmoking

For more information about available support groups, please visit parrishhealthcare.com/supportgroups.

Tools to Quit - Quit Smoking Now Tools to Quit - Quit Smoking Now

July Events at the Barrier Island Center



Greetings From the Barrier Island Center,

Sea turtle nesting season is still in full swing. Take advantage of opportunities to see both a nesting loggerhead sea turtle on a night walk, and a possibility of seeing hatchlings later this month on guided nest dig with our partner Sea Turtle Conservancy.

Native plants more/also your thing? Don’t miss the exciting opportunity this Sunday to explore the recovery of flora at Coconut Point Sanctuary after our recent prescribed fire with Master Naturalist Instructor, Mark Prynoski.

We also have free opportunities to learn to fish, sanctuary story time, eco-arts and more! Please peruse below for all of our happenings in July.


Barrier Island Center July 2026
8385 Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway - Melbourne Beach - 32951 (321) 723-3556
All Events are Free Unless Noted "*"

Guided Sea Turtle Night Walks in July @ 9 p.m.
• M, T, TH, F - Sea Turtle Conservancy
• W, Sa - Friends of the Carr Refuge

Daytime Sea Turtle Nest Digs in July/August @ 7:45 a.m.
• T (starting 7/21)- Sea Turtle Conservancy
• Sa - Friends of the Carr Refuge Touch Tank

Touch Tank - Sundays in July, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.-Drop in and interact with our interesting sea creatures. Horseshoe crabs, sea cucumbers, sea stars & more!

Out-of-the-Ashes Coconut Point Sanctuary Guided Hike-Sunday, July 12 @ 9 a.m.-Join Master Naturalist Instructor and native plant enthusiast, Mark Prynoski, for a guided hike from dune to lagoon along our 3/4 mile trail. Observe nature thriving after our recent prescribed fire. Meet at the Ponce de Leon statue. Please enroll here or email Joy.

Sanctuary Story Time and Eco-Art: Fintastic Fish!-Sunday, July 12 @ 1 p.m.-Enjoy a charismatic reading of the children's book Rainbow Fish, then make-n-take a thematic craft with local artist and BIC volunteer, Janet. Learn more about our amazing fishes during the free family fun. Please enroll here or email Joy.

Sustainable Surf Fishing - Hands-on Workshop for All-Friday, July 17 @ 10 a.m.-Discover the excitement of surf fishing along Brevard County's beautiful Atlantic coastline. This class offers beginner anglers the fundamentals through hands-on practice, so please dress appropriately to get wet. To sign up please enroll or email Joy.

iNaturalist - Fun Hobby, Learning Tool, and Citizen Science-Saturday, July 18 @ 10 a.m.-Join Caitlin Torres to learn how to us iNaturalist to identifying all of your nature finds and why it is important. Hands-on practice on the sanctuary will follow the presentation, so come prepared for the elements. Bring your smart phone or tablet if you have one. Please enroll here or email Joy.

Sea Glass Wire Wrap Necklaces with Sea Turtle Charms-Sunday, July 19 @ 11 a.m.-Learn about our nesting sea turtles, the basics of wire wrapping sea glass and tool use with local artist Diana Watkins, then take home your beautiful creation! Materials fee $20. Please enroll here or email Joy.

Sea Turtle 101 & Beach Cleanup-Sunday, July 26th @ 10 a.m .-Learn more about our sea turtles and then help rid the nesting beach of trash. Option to tally your trashy finds for Ocean Conservancy. Please enroll here or email Joy.

Make Your Own Glass Turtle Workshop-Sunday, July 26, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.-Join Melbourne Beach glass artist Delynn Ellis for a fun, hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop where you’ll create your own turtle. Learn the art of fused glass. Materials Cost $30. Please enroll here or email Joy.

Hands-on Introduction to Inshore Sustainable Fishing - Workshop for All-Tuesday, July 28, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m-Join Rider Ridgeway, EEL Education Center Coordinator, for an introductory class for anyone who wants to learn how to start fishing the Indian River Lagoon. Learn the basics and how to be a conservation focused angler through hands-on practice. Please enroll here or email Joy.

Tour de Turtles, Live Sea Turtle Release!-Sunday, August 2 @ 7:30 a.m.-Observe Sea Turtle Conservancy affix satellite transmitters to two loggerhead sea turtles before sending them on their migrational path home. Can’t make it? You can still track these turtles at www.tourdeturtles.org

The Barrier Island Center was created and is managed under Brevard County’s Environmentally Endangered Lands Program referendum. The referendum was established by voters in 1990 to protect and preserve the rich biological diversity of Brevard County for future generations. The Barrier Island Center is centrally located in heart of the Archie Carr Refuge in southern Melbourne Beach at 8385 Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway. The Barrier Island Center operates in collaboration with the Sea Turtle Conservancy to provide hands-on educational experiences for visitors to the Refuge through interactive exhibits, special programs and a 1-mile long “dune-to-lagoon” nature trail along the Doc Ehrhart Sanctuary. Admission is free to the education center which is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information please call, (321) 723-3556.

Tour de Turtles – Saving Sea Turtles is a Marathon, Not a Sprint Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtles Marathon is divided into leatherbacks and non-leatherback (chelonians). The Leatherback Tour de Turtles starts on June 16 (World Sea Turtle Day) and the Chelonian (hard-shell) Tour de Turtles starts on August 2. Click on the turtle icon to view the turtle.....