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, 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.

Water-quality information

The county Health Department will provide water sampling results for more than 100 county beaches and waterways now through Labor Day at http://www.aahealth.org or call 410-222-7999. Water samples are routinely tested for enterococci, the bacteria found in the intestines of all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Facts on water quality and health tips for natural bodies of water are available on the website.

Calendar

The Baltimore Washington Medical Center sponsors the following August events.

Preventing Diabetes How to make simple nutrition and exercise changes that can significantly reduce the chance of developing type II diabetes. The program will be 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 4. Cost is $25. Reservations are a must. Information: 410-787-4940. The class will also be offered 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 13 in the Joslin Center, BWMC, 305 Hospital Drive.

Safe Sitter Program for pre-teens ages 11-13. Learn babysitting skills and abilities in caring for young children in emergency and non-emergency situations. Cost $50. Pre-registration is required at mybwmc.org.

Weight Management and Wellness Seminar Co-sponsored by The University of Maryland Center for Weight Management will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 25. Information. 410-328-8940. Registration is required at http://www.umm.edu/weightloss.

Health Care Reform and You What does this mean for you and your Medicare? Sponsored by the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program of the Department of Aging and Disabilities, the program will be held 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 21, at the Arnold Senior Activity Center, 44 Church Road, Arnold. Information: 410-222-1922.

"Fit To a T" A bone health program will be held 10 a.m. Monday, July 19, at the Pascal Senior Activity Center, 125 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie. Learn who is at risk to develop osteoporosis, the warning signs, how it is diagnosed and treated and how to avoid this ailment. Information: 410-222-6680.

Screenings

•The 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 county Health Department'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.

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.

•Free kits about car safety for babies and toddlers is available from the Anne Arundel Healthy Babies Coalition. The kits also contain useful information for pregnant women, parents and caregivers. Visit http://www.aahealthybabies.org. For additional information about car seats and a list of inspection locations, call Maryland Kids In Safety Seats (MD KISS) 1-800-370-7328.

•The 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.

•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 Health Department'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. For 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 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 county Health Department 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.

•Teens anti-smoking e-cards available from the department of health and part of Smoking Stinks, a Learn To Live healthy living program. Help a friend stop smoking send a Hack and Yack and/or Ashtray Mouth e-card. Information: http://www.aahealth.org and http://www.SmokingStinks.org.

•Summer health and safety, tips visit the "Hot Topics" section of the departments of health's website, http://www.aahealth.org. Information includes hot weather tips, sun and water safety, Lyme disease and food safety.

Support Groups

Surviving breast cancer Discuss and share common experiences and problems related to being a newly diagnosed patient, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of every month in the Tate Center, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 305 Hospital Drive. Information 410-787-4367.

Man-to-man prostate cancer support group Discuss cancer recovery and prevention, 6 p.m. Aug. 9, Tate Center, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 305 Hospital Drive. Information 410-787-4367.

The Joslin Circle Diabetes support group will discuss current issues regarding diabetes management, The group meets the third Wednesday of every month in the Joslin Diabetes Center, 300 Hospital Drive, Suite 223. Information 410-787-4940.