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, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Parole Health Center, 1950 Drew St., Annapolis, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday and Wednesday.
For a list of flu vaccine clinic schedules throughout the county, go to
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
.
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 for doctors that will make visits 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
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, Mondays through Nov. 8.
Annapolis Senior Activity Center, 119 S. Villa Ave., Annapolis, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays through Nov. 16.
O'Malley Senior Activity Center Annex, 1270 Odenton Road, Odenton, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Nov. 16.
Register by contacting Pam Toomey, 410-222-4366 ext. 3057 or e-mail
.
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 Wednesday, 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. 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.
•Parent's 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 group meets from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 10 and Dec.15. 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. 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.
Suicide grievers support group
For those 18 years and older grieving the death of a loved one meets from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 9 and Dec. 7 at The Life Center at Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis. Registration: 410-987-2129.