Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/13061
LONGBEACHMAGAZINE.COM 59 their mental and social health. "Seniors who are not getting out as much may become depressed," Gies said. "This is a place where there are activities and classes that they can look forward to attending a couple of days a week, and maybe even make a new friend." Other services the Center offers include diabetes counseling, caregiver support groups, and at-home care if patients are unable to leave their homes. When it comes to specialized care, this city also has plenty to offer. ADDRESSING HIV/AIDS Around 6,000 people in this city are currently infected with the HIV/AIDS virus, and of those, 1,500 are unaware that they are infected. With such a high number of infected persons, this city has the second highest population of HIV/ AIDS infected people in the state. Given these unfortunately high numbers, the city is lucky to have the C.A.R.E. Program available, which is one of the most comprehensive HIV/AIDS programs available. Since 1986, the C.A.R.E. Program has been offering HIV/AIDS education and health services to the community at affordable prices. The program, a nonprofit started by St. Mary Medical Center, offers a comprehensive program that ensures HIV/AIDS patients are taken care of physically, mentally and emotionally. This comprehensive program is one of the highlights of its services, because it allows medical staff to understand patient needs holistically. "Comprehensive programming allows us to take a treatment team approach," said Dr. Mark Davis, C.A.R.E. Program Director. "We have them enrolled in a system, and not just a medical clinic." Although the program has been taking good care of local HIV/AIDS patients, the program itself has not been so lucky. With their risk reduction budget eliminated, the program no longer has the means to provide preventative education programs, and its staff has been working overtime to try and fill in the gaps. "We serve the community and want to continue serving the community," Davis said. To obtain financial support from the community, the C.A.R.E. program has created several events, such as the CARE to Dine program, taking place on Thursday, August 12, where local restaurants will donate 20 percent of that day's proceeds to the C.A.R.E program, and the Long Beach Triathlon, taking place on September 19. ALTERNATIVE CARE Alternative health care is growing in popularity due to its holistic approach, which treats both mind and body, and one of the most premiere and comprehensive centers in the Southland is the Advanced Wellness Center, located on Second Street and Pacific Coast Highway. According to founder Dr. Mark de Dubovay, the Center is not only focused on treatment, but prevention, and — especially — education. "Alternative health care's focus is identifying underlying causes that lead towards disease and accelerated aging, and, when done well, true holistic medicine is about empowering and educating the patient about how to be aware of their choices and the consequences of those actions," said Dubovay. With these small clinics in the direct vicinity, the options for care are abundant. Dubovay notes more people should take advantage of the services smaller clinics offer when it comes to preventative care and health education. "The burden of our health crisis is only going to turn around if people can be more empowered to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices which impact their health," Dubovay said. n innovative environmentally sensitive family friendly