Exercise and Events
Want to learn or try some new exercises but don't want to go to a gym? Have a look at our array of
exercise DVDs. We have quite a selection of videos on fitness, yoga, tai chi, and more. If you find more motivation in group activities, come to one of our engaging and informative
health or exercise programs. We have programs on
yoga,
tai chi,
meditation,
Alzheimer's, and
bone building. Talking to doctors and trying to figure out Medicare can be intimidating and confusing. We have a program about how to
speak up for yourself when talking to health professionals
(registration required) and an
information session on Medicare. With Halloween at the end of the month, we also have a
Halloween safety event featuring Sparky the Fire Dog
(limited seating).
Health information is vast, rapidly changing, and sometimes contradictory. It must be evaluated critically by the user, so it is vitally important to make sure you are getting health information from authoritative sources. We have gathered reliable resources to make this easier for you. The
Health and Wellness Resource Center database is a trusted source for articles on health, medicine, and wellness from magazines, journals, and reference books. It also includes trusted health websites and a medical dictionary. Another great source of health information is
Consumer Reports on Health, which you can access online in our
Flipster database. This magazine provides informative articles on health topics and healthy living,
We have also gathered a list of
trusted health websites. Three of them that I like to use to answer questions are
MedlinePlus, the
Mayo Clinic's Health Information, and
PubMed.
MedlinePlus and the
Mayo Clinic's Health Information have user-friendly sites and information on health topics and drugs and supplements.
PubMed provides a vast array of bio-medical research articles.
MCPL has many print books in the collection on
health and
medicine, so be sure to have a look in the
catalog for specific subjects of interest. We also have many
e-books and
audiobooks as well. The opioid crisis has been in the news a lot lately and, if that is a topic of interest, be sure to check out our
e-books and audiobooks on addiction.
Finding a Doctor
If you would like to learn the length of service, medical school attended, primary specialty, state of license, and board certification of doctors that you are interested in seeing,
Reference USA is a good source. You can research physicians' state licences, including disciplinary actions, for
Maryland and
Washington, D.C. on our
health resource guide. To find rated doctors, hospitals, and more, have a look in the
Washington Consumers' Checkbook (
in-library access only.)
Finding Health Services
Need health care? Have a look at
Maryland Health Connection, Maryland's official health insurance marketplace.
Montgomery County's Department of Health and Human Services also offers many health, disability, and crisis services, as well as services specifically targeted for children, teens, and seniors.
InfoMontgomery is also a good resource for finding health services. It is a collaborative effort of public and private agencies to provide information about health and human service resources throughout Montgomery County. See our Health Services guide for links to even
more health services.
For Kids
A great way to introduce exercise and healthy eating habits is when kids are young. We have a
selection of books and websites to get you started. The
USDA's Choose My Plate website has information, games, activity sheets, online tools, recipes, and more. Don't forget to try our fun
exercise DVDs geared toward parents and kids.
At MCPL we are happy to help you get fit, be fit, and stay fit!
Susan
