Jahn is a member of the national Health Care Corporation of America's benefits program called H2U-Health, Happiness, You. She is director of the local program at Montgomery Regional Hospital. Other area HCA hospitals include Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem, which has a local program in place, and Pulaski Community Hospital, which plans to launch one this summer. The program's name recently changed from Senior Friends to H2U. Jahn said the revamped program aimed at adults 50 and older appeals to the baby boomers as well as the generation ahead of them. As boomers are more computer savvy than their predecessors, the H2U program offers much of its information over the Internet. Through the program's Web site, members can access their health map. The health map is an assessment tool that lets users know what annual screenings and lab work they may need.

There are 575 local H2U members through Montgomery Regional Hospital. Jahn is always recruiting new members, usually through word of mouth or speaking at community organizations. Sixty-nine have signed up since January. Adults in the 50-to-60 age range are just starting to sign up, she said. About 13 percent of membership is under 60.

"The information specific to boomers is to manage a healthy lifestyle," Jahn said. "It's important to maintain that lifestyle - focusing on exercise and eating habits - now."

Local benefits to H2U members at Montgomery Regional Hospital include discounts in the gift shop and dining room; free lab screening during members' birthday months; free annual flu shot; monthly newsletters; monthly lunch meetings; and a free upgrade from a semiprivate to private room during hospital stays. Outside the hospital, H2U members are eligible for discounted membership at The Weight Club and Fitness Center in Blacksburg. Discounts from national companies also come with H2U membership. The membership cost is $15 annually.

Carl and Gretchen Price, who live in Blacksburg and are both in their mid-60s, joined the program about five years ago. Jahn is a long-time friend and Carl Price is a volunteer at the hospital. Carl Price said he's stayed with the program because of the health profile it provides and the newsletter.

"The newsletter is excellent and it has a lot of good tips. That's meant a lot to me," he said. "I think the program is worthwhile. We've been very satisfied with it."

A national H2U magazine is sent to members bimonthly, and a local newsletter is sent monthly. The March newsletter includes information about the benefits of tea, Internet breast cancer resources, health mistakes women make, reducing the effects of cataracts and a calendar of upcoming events.

Larry Mitchell, 66, sought out the program two years ago. The Virginia Tech mechanical engineering professor was on a sabbatical in 1998 to teach engineering at the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo. He saw a program similar to H2Uadvertised for a local hospital there.

"I figured that if a hospital is interested in the health of people after they've patched them up, then that's a hospital I want to go to," he said. His membership at the Colorado hospital was $25 annually. He used that benefit program to receive a free bone scan. After returning to Blacksburg, he sought out Montgomery Regional's program.

"I've used the free annual blood screening before I have my annual physical with my primary care provider. I know my insurance would pay it, but why increase insurance costs?," Mitchell said. "I also participate in the dining around program and seminars. I try to participate as much as I can to meet some new people and get my money's worth."

For more information about the program at Montgomery Regional Hospital, contact Betty Jahn at 953-5291 or betty.jahn@hcahealthcare.com. Jana Beckner, education and marketing coordinator for Pulaski Community Hospital, said she'll launch a local program in early summer. Information about the national program is available online at www.h2u.com.

Other news

and activities

• Today is the deadline to register for the Pulaski Senior Center Spring Potluck Luncheon to be held at noon March 23 at the center. Meat, mashed potatoes, rolls and drinks provided. Bring another dish. Preschoolers from YMCA will sing. To register, call 994-8627.

• Register by Friday for the Swinging Soiree dance to be held April 1 at the Montgomery County Government Center. Sit-down catered dinner at 6 p.m. followed by dancing from 7 to 9 p.m. Music by the Eastern Montgomery High School Jazz Ensemble. $18. Register with Montgomery County Parks and Recreation, Montgomery County and Radford RSVP, Christiansburg Parks and Recreation, Pulaski County RSVP or the Pulaski Senior Center.

• April 1 is the deadline to register for the 2005 New River Valley Senior Olympic Games to be held April 27-May 4. Games include badminton, basketball, billiards, bowling, cards, riflery, shot put, swimming, shuffleboard and croquet. Open to NRV residents age 50 and older. Registration forms are available at local recreation centers.

• AARP is offering free tax preparation assistance at various senior centers. AARP tax aide volunteer counselors have received comprehensive training in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service. It will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and 1 to 4 p.m. Thursdays at the Christiansburg Recreation Center. To make an appointment, call 382-2349. More than 300 clients were served at the center last year.

Assistance will be offered from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the computer center at the Blacksburg Community Center. To make an appointment, call 961-1149.

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Area senior centers and volunteer programs offer a variety of services, including crafts, dinners, seminars, picnics and trips. Most have newsletters and calendars listing monthly services and happenings. Contact each center for information.

Blacksburg Senior Programs: Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive, Joy Herbert, 961-1134.

Christiansburg Senior Center: 1600 N. Franklin St., Tammy Caldwell, 382-2349.

Floyd RSVP: 323 Floyd Highway, PO Box 849, Judy Weitzenfeld, 745-2105.

Giles County Senior Center: 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg, Faith Plummer, 921-3924.

Giles County RSVP: 1410 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg, Chris Blankenship, 921-2037.

Montgomery County and Radford RSVP: Health and Human Services Building, 210 Pepper St., Christiansburg, Angela Little, 382-5775.

Pulaski County RSVP: 106 N. Washington Ave., Ava Stilwell, 980-3969.

Pulaski Senior Center: 106 N. Washington Ave., Barbara Tate, 994-8627.

Radford Senior Center: 200 George St., Audrey Caldwell, 731-5517.

Senior Shorts

• Badminton: Wednesdays, 10:10 a.m. to noon, Blacksburg Community Center. Open play for all adults. Free. 961-1880.

• Bingo: Wednesdays, 10 a.m., community room, New River Valley Mall, 382-6346.

• Easy motions: Less strenuous exercise class. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. in multipurpose room 2A, Christiansburg Recreation Center. A doctor's note and registration are required, 382-2349.

• The Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Virginia Blue Ridge: Volunteer consumer-rights advocacy group that provides information about options available for funeral and other end-of-life arrangements, www.funerals.org/fcavbr, 953-5589.

• Gospel Singing: Public invited monthly for gospel singing of old hymns on the following schedule: first Tuesdays, 10 a.m. at the Christiansburg Recreation Center, senior activities area; and first Wednesdays at 2 p.m. at Wheatland Retirement Center, Christiansburg. Musicians and singers welcome. Bench warmers and listeners, too. Call Mary Dotson, 382-8543.

• Intrepid USA Healthcare Services: Provides free in-home evaluations to determine whether an individual qualifies for professional home-care services such as home health aid, medical social workers and physical therapy - under Medicare, Medicaid or other insurance, 961-5464 or (888)416-1428.

• H2U: Seniors 50 and older may receive national and local benefits from membership in the Montgomery Regional Hospital Chapter. Contact Betty Jahn, 953-5291.

• New River Valley Agency on Aging: Assistance with understanding Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurance. For information, call 639-9677 or 980-7720.

• Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Project: second Tuesdays, 10 a.m. at the Blacksburg Senior Center; second Wednesdays, 10 a.m. at the Christiansburg Senior Center; second Mondays, 1 p.m. at the Radford Senior Center; Mondays and Wednesdays by appointment at the Pulaski Agency on Aging, 980-7720.

• Viva Club: Offers health screenings, insurance assistance and physician referral, 731-2572.