Care for cancer patients

The Wellness House of Annapolis, an organization that offers services and programs to assist those living with cancer and their relatives, including children, now has twice-a-week walk-in hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. All classes and services are free and are open to cancer patients, caregivers and families. Pre-registration is required for all classes. The Wellness House is at 2625 Mas Que Farm Road. Appointments: 410-990-0941 or wellnesshouse@comcast.net.

Sun safety

Mascot Alex the Alligator will visit Anne Arundel County public library branches in June to teach children ages 3 to 6 about sun safety. Sponsored by the Anne Arundel County Department of Health's Learn to Live program. Alex will visit:

10 a.m. Tuesday, June 8, Severna Park branch, 45 McKinsey Road, Severna Park

2 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, Edgewater branch, 25 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater

10 a.m. Wednesday, June 9, Broadneck branch, 1275 Green Holly Drive, Annapolis

Information on skin cancer prevention or to order a free Sun Smart Kit: http://www.LearnToLiveHealthy.org or the Learn to Live Line, 410-222-7979.

Continuing services

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health offers:

•Children's immunization shots at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months, 15 months and 18 months. Boosters are given before entering kindergarten. Information: 410-222-4896 or the community health section of http://www.aahealth.org.

•Family planning services with free pregnancy tests, counseling, low-cost exams, lab tests and low-cost birth control supplies to women younger than 25. For an appointment: 410-222-7144.

•Healthy pregnancy and baby-care kits are available by calling the Tot's Line at 1-877-817-8687. This confidential help line offers advice and county service referrals for pregnant women, parents and caregivers of children up to age 5.

•WIC supplemental nutrition program provides free nutritious foods, nutrition education, breast-feeding support and resource referrals. To qualify, county residents must meet income guidelines. Information: 410-222-6797 or 410-222-0139 (Spanish).

•Free quit-smoking classes and kits are offered to county residents 18 and older. Contact the Learn to Live Line at 410-222-7979 or http://www.LearnToLiveHealthy.org. Also, Anne Arundel Medical Center and Owensville Primary Care will offer free quit-smoking classes sponsored by the Health Department. Information: Anne Arundel Medical Center, 443-481-4000, or the Owensville center, 410-867-4700. Pre-registration is required.

•HIV/AIDS services include free confidential testing and counseling. Call for an appointment: Annapolis, 410-222-7493; Glen Burnie, 410-222-6633; or Parole, 410-222-7248. Information: 410-222-7108.

•Substance abuse treatment services are available through Community Treatment Services. Information: 410-222-0117. Methadone and Suboxone maintenance services are available through the Department of Health's adult addictions clinic, 410-222-0100.

•Education and outreach programs for adolescents and parents. Topics for discussion include benefits of abstinence, responsible decision-making, pregnancy prevention and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Information: Healthy Teens and Young Adults, 410-222-4468.

•Prescription discount program is available to all county residents. Information or to apply: 410-222-4531 and mention Group No. 586 or scriptsave.com and log in using Group No. 586.

•The Medical Assistance for Families/MCHP program offers comprehensive medical coverage to income-eligible families, children and pregnant women through managed-care organizations (MCOs). For an application: 410-222-4792.

• Maryland birth certificates are available through the Health Department. Information: aahealth.org/about_vitalrec.asp or 410-222-4462.

•Behavioral health services for children and teens ages 5 to 18 and their families. For mental health services and referrals: 410-222-6785. For substance abuse services: 410-222-6725 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

•The REACH health care program for uninsured adults is provided by the Anne Arundel County Department of Health in partnership with the county's medical society. REACH offers county residents low-cost doctor visits, checkups, prescription medicine, lab work and tests, radiology services and dental services. Information: 410-222-4531.

•Medical assistance transportation services are available to clients with a valid Maryland Medical Assistance/Health Choice Card with no means of public or private transportation to and from medical appointments. Information: 410-222-7152.

Calendar

Caregiver workshop Event presented free by the National Family Caregiver Support program of Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities and sponsored by Somerford Place Alzheimer's Assisted Living.

• Wednesday, June 9 and June 16 and 23, O' Malley Senior Activity Center, 1275 Odenton Road, Odenton. All workshops will be held 1 to 3 p.m. Registration is required. Information: 410-222-4464, ext. 3043, or register online at http://www.aacounty.org/Aging/NeedingCare/compCaregiver.cfm.

Diabetes prevention Baltimore Washington Medical Center offers classes in diabetes prevention at the Joslin Diabetes Center, 300 Hospital Drive, Suite 119. Classes will be held:

•9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday.

Classes are recommended for those interested in learning more about how eating healthfully and being more active can affect overall health and wellness. Cost is $25 per class. Registration: 410-787-4940.

Screenings

•The Anne Arundel County Health Department provides free breast exams, mammograms, Pap tests and cervical cancer screenings to eligible female county residents 40 and older. Information: 410-222-6180.

•Colorectal screenings and informational kits are available through the Anne Arundel County Department of Health's Learn to Live Program. Screenings are free to county residents ages 50 to 64 who are uninsured and income-eligible. To order a free kit, Learn To Live Line, 410-222-7979, or LearnToLiveHealthy.org.

•The Baltimore Washington Medical Center will offer free screenings at the Arundel Mills Outreach Center, between Dave and Buster's and mall entrance No. 4.

Podiatry: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday, June 10, and June 24

Blood pressure: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 15.

Information: 410-787-4367.

Blood pressure screening sponsored by the Baltimore Washington Medical Center will be held 8:30 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, June 9 at Harundale Presbyterian Church, Eastway and Guilford Road, Glen Burnie.

Weight management seminar sponsored by The Baltimore Washington Medical Center and the University of Maryland Center for Weight Management and Wellness will be held 6 p.m June 23. Registration is required. Call 410-328-8940 or visit http://www.umm.edu/weightloss.

Support groups

The National Caregivers support group of the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities will meet from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 15 at the department's Heritage Office Complex, fourth floor, 2666 Riva Road, Annapolis. The program provides information, respite and support to those who give care to family and friends. Information: 410-222-4464, ext. 3043.

Surviving breast cancer a support and education program meets 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. June 15. Also the Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer support group will meet 6:30 p.m. June 14. Both events will be held m at the Tate Center, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 305 Hospital Drive.