Free flu vaccine
The Anne Arundel County Department of Health will administer seasonal flu vaccinations to children and adults through Dec. 9 at area health centers during weekly walk-in clinics. Pneumococcal vaccinations will also be available.
Glen Burnie Health Center, 416 A Street S.W., Glen Burnie, Tuesday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Parole Health Center, 1950 Drew St., Annapolis, Monday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
For a list of flu vaccine clinic schedules throughout the county, go to http://www.aahealth.org or call the flu vaccine information line at 410-222-7343.
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 open to cancer patients, caregivers and families. Pre-registration is required. The Wellness House is at 2625 Mas-Que Farm Road. Appointments: 410-990-0941 or wellnesshouse@comcast.net.
Patient disability pamphlet
The Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability Issues offers a pamphlet, "Doctors' Offices and Patients With Disabilities Working Together." The pamphlet contains suggestions that will make the visit go more smoothly, from training staff to obtaining equipment for the disabled and welcoming service animals accompanying a disabled person. To obtain a copy, call the Americans With Disabilities Act office at the county's Department of Aging and Disabilities, 410-222-4464, ext. 3056, or go to http://www.aacounty.org/Aging/disabledAdults/CommDis.cfm and click on Doctors Office Brochure.
Living healthy with chronic conditions
The Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities will offer a six-week self-management workshop for adults to learn to manage chronic conditions including diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, obesity, chronic pain or anxiety and heart disease.
The workshops will be held at the following senior activity centers:
South County Senior Activity Center, 27 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Oct. 11 and 18, 25, Nov. 1 and 8.
Annapolis Senior Activity Center, 119 S. Villa Ave., Annapolis, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 12 and 19, 26, Nov. 9 and 16.
O'Malley Senior Activity Center Annex, 1270 Odenton Road, Odenton, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 12 and 19, 22, Nov. 9 and 16.
Register by contacting Pam Toomey, 410-222-4366 ext. 3057 or e-mail agtoom88@aacounty.org.
Five-year anniversary celebration
The Aiello Breast Center will host an open house to celebrate its five-year anniversary from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 16 in the center, 203 Hospital Drive. Tour the center, learn about the services available and meet the center's staff. Light refreshment will be available. Information: 410-787-4367.
Calendar
Dementia workshop series "Living in the Land of Oz" will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14 and 21 at the South County Senior Activity Center, 27 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater. The workshop will be repeated from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, 19, and 26 at O'Malley Senior Activity Center, 1275 Odenton Road, Odenton. Additional workshops will be held at the other five senior activity centers through December. Learn about different types of dementia, research and treatments, behavior management, and skills to use in everyday life. Registration and information: 410-222-4464, ext. 3043, or http://www.aacounty.org/aging.
Vision and hearing screenings The Department of Health will conduct mandated vision and hearing screenings in public schools for children in preschool, kindergarten, first and eighth grade and for students new to county schools.
October screenings will be held:
Old Mill Middle North, Monday, Oct. 11 and Tuesday, Oct. 12
St. Martin's in-the-Field Day School, Tuesday, Oct. 12
Crofton Meadows Elementary, Magothy River Middle, Wednesday, Oct. 13 and Thursday, Oct. 14
St. Jane Frances School, Friday, Oct. 15
Overlook Elementary, Oct. 18
Freetown Elementary, Oct. 18 and 19
Marley Elementary, Oct. 19 and 20
High Point Elementary, Oct. 20 and 21
Severna Park Elementary, Oct. 21
Calvary Chapel Christian Academy, The Harbour School, Oct. 22
Linthicum Elementary, Oct. 25 and 26
Glen Burnie Park Elementary, Oct. 26 and 27
Lothian Elementary, Oct. 27
Information: Kim Roussey, vision and hearing technician supervisor, 410-222-6838.
Free acupuncture workshop Offered at the Annapolis Senior Activity Center, 119 S. Villa Ave., Annapolis, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13. Sponsored by the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities, Meaghan Massella Walker, acupuncturist at Edgewater Acupuncture, will demonstrate ear acupuncture to manage stress. Walker received a master's degree in acupuncture from Tai Sophia Institute in Laurel. Information: 410-222-1818.
The Baltimore Washington Medical Center sponsors the following events:
•Safe Sitter Program for youths ages 11-13. Learn baby-sitting skills and abilities in caring for young children in emergency and non-emergency situations. Cost $50. Pre-registration is required at http://www.mybwmc.org.
•Joint School Meetings on all you need to know about the preparation, recovery and benefits of hip and knee surgery will be held at 4 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month. Information and registration: 410-553-8282.
•Health fair and flu shots Offered at the Severna Park Community Center, 623 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 22. Screenings and educational displays will be available. Flu shots offered to ages 18 and older on a first-come, first-serve basis. Information: 410-787-4367.
•Weight management and wellness Program sponsored by the University of Maryland Medical Center will offer a free weight loss education seminar at 6 p.m. Oct. 27. Registration is required. Call 410-328-8940 or go to http://www.umm.edu/weightloss.
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.
•Blood pressure screenings from 8:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 27 at Harundale Presbyterian Church, Eastway and Guilford Road, Glen Burnie. The screenings are sponsored by the Baltimore Washington Medical Center. Information 410-787-4367 or go to http://www.mybwmc.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.
•Free kits about car safety for babies and toddlers are available from the Anne Arundel Healthy Babies Coalition. The kits also contain useful information for pregnant women, parents and caregivers. Go to aahealthybabies.org. For additional information about car seats and a list of inspection locations, call Maryland Kids In Safety Seats: 800-370-7328.
•Free healthy pregnancy or baby care kits. To take the online "Taking Care of a Baby" class, go to aahealthybabies.org.
•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 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). Applications: 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.
•Water quality e-mail alerts from the Recreational Water Quality Email Alert System provide subscribers with information on recreation waterway closures and advisories throughout the county. To sign up for this free service, go online to http://www.aahealth.org/wqemail.asp.
•Parents guide to school health services for the 2010-2011 school year. Information on bullying, keeping kids smoke-free, flu prevention and more is included. Go to aahealth.org; click on parent's guide to school health under hot topics.
•Healthy recipes for diabetic, meatless and low-sodium diets. Visit LearnToLiveHealthy.org, click on healthy meals and snacks under food and fitness.
•Storms and floods and other emergencies. Online assistance is also available in Spanish. Information includes preparedness and recovery, water and food safety, portable generator hazards and mold. Visit aahealth.org, click on storms and floods under environmental health.
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.
The Joslin Circle Diabetes support group will discuss current issues regarding diabetes management. The group meets 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month in the Joslin Diabetes Center, 300 Hospital Drive, Suite 223. Information: 410-787-4940.
Loss of spouse/life partner Bereavement support group will be offered at The Life Center at Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway in Annapolis. The first group meets from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 20. The second group meets from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 10-Dec. 15. Series open to members of the community for $60 fee. Free for Hospice of the Chesapeake families. Registration: 410-987-2129.
Bereavement support group For those 18 and older grieving the death of a loved one, group meets from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Oct. 18 at the Life Center at Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway in Annapolis. Series open to members of the community for $60 fee. Free for Hospice of the Chesapeake families. Registration: 410-987-2129.
Adult bereavement support group In partnership with Baltimore Washington Medical Center, group meets from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 14-Nov. 18. Group is facilitated by a Hospice of the Chesapeake counselor and will be held at the medical center, 301 Hospital Drive, second-floor PHP Suite in Glen Burnie. Series open to members of the community for $60 fee. Free for Hospice of the Chesapeake families. Registration: 410-987-2129.
Man-to-Man prostate cancer support group Learn about diagnosis, treatment and management. The group meets 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. the second Monday of every month in the Tate Center, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 305 Hospital Drive. Information: 410-787-4367.
Stroke support group Meets to discuss stroke recovery and prevention from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month in the Dr. Constantine Padussis Conference Center, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 305 Hospital Drive. Information: 410-787-4732.
Caregivers support group Meets to offer information, respite and support to those who give care to family and friends. Sponsored by the National Family Caregivers Support Group of the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities, the meeting will be held from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Heritage Office Complex in the department's office, 4th floor, 2666 Riva Road, Annapolis. Information: 410- 222-4464, ext. 3043 or e-mail caregiver-support@aacounty.org.