Seminars offered for care givers of dementia patients

The National Family Caregiver Support Program and the county Health Department's Aging Respite Care Program will offer a series of free seminars from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. every other Friday at O'Malley Senior Center. The series includes:

Nov. 15, "And in this Corner," on managing behaviors of a loved one who is afflicted with dementia.

Dec. 6, "Down and Dirty," on managing incontinence.

Dec. 20, "Is It Time?" on placement issues. Information: 410-222-6227.

Brooklyn Park center offers talk for caregivers

Brooklyn Park Senior Center will offer the following activities during this week:

Tomorrow, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Karen Schmidt from the Department of Aging's Respite Care Program will discuss services and programs available to a respite caregiver.

Friday, noon to 1 p.m., registered nurse Sue James will speak on healthful eating during the holidays.

Health Department offers flu immunizations

The county Health Department has scheduled flu-immunization clinics for adult residents of Anne Arundel County:

Today, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Brooklyn Park Senior Center, 202 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park.

Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Health Services Building, 3 Truman Parkway, Annapolis.

Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Annapolis Senior Center, 1027 Bay Ridge Ave., Eastport.

Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Pasadena Senior Center, 4103 Mountain Road, Pasadena.

Nov. 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Glen Burnie Improvement Association, Crain Highway and First Avenue, Glen Burnie.

Nov. 20, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Anne Arundel Community College, 101 College Parkway, Arnold.

Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, Duke of Gloucester and Conduit streets, Annapolis.

Nov. 25, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Health Services Building, 3 Truman Parkway, Annapolis.

Dec. 6, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Health Services Building, 3 Truman Parkway, Annapolis.

Inoculations are free, but $10 donations are encouraged. Pneumonococcal vaccine also will be available at all clinic locations. This vaccine is recommended for people age 65 and older, people with chronic heart or pulmonary conditions and for people who have had their spleen removed or who have sickle cell anemia. Information: 410-222-7343.

Financial planning sessions offered at medical center

Anne Arundel Medical Center will offer financial planning seminars in Suite 250 of the Sajak Pavilion:

"A Senior's Financial Primer: Going It Alone," 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, will discuss retirement plan distributions, investment basics, financial management, estate planning and trust management.

"Long-term Care Planning: Is It Right for You?" 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, will cover long-term care planning for the physical, emotional and financial health of one's family.

"Real Estate and Your Estate," 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 19, will discuss cashing in appreciated assets, the implications of selling real estate, and estate and gift tax strategies to minimize taxes.

The cost is $10 for each seminar, or $25 for all three. Information: 443-481-4747.

Calendar

Bereavement support:

South County Senior Center offers "Bereavement: Working Through It," a free, informal discussion group with Norma Crane for ages 55 and older. The group meets at 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

Sewing classes:

Annapolis Senior Center will offer sewing classes for seniors at 10:30 a.m. the third Tuesday of every month. The classes are free, but senior center membership is required. 410-222-1818.

Country and western:

The Pascal Go-Getters will perform country and western music at 10:30 a.m. today at O'Malley Senior Center. 410-222-6227.

Senior transit:

The Maryland Transit Administration will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday at O'Malley Senior Center to take photos and issue reduced-fare transit cards for seniors. To qualify, a person must be at least age 65, have proof of age and a Social Security number. The cards are free. 410-222-6227.

Acting classes:

South County Senior Center will offer a four-week class, "The Joys of Acting," from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday through Dec. 13 at the center. Participants will prepare and rehearse a play that will be performed on the last day of class. The cost is $20 for ages 60 and older. Participants age 55 to 59 will be charged an additional fee of $40. 410-222-1927.

Greeting card workshop:

O'Malley Senior Center will offer a workshop, "Creating Greeting Cards and Flyers with Graphics," from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday at the center. The cost is $4, payable at registration. 410-222- 6227.

Jewelry sale:

South County Senior Center will sponsor a costume jewelry sale from 9 a.m. to noon Friday at the center. Nearly 200 pieces of signed jewelry, as well as unmarked vintage and designer pieces, will be available. The sale, which will benefit the center, is open to the public. 410-222-1927.

Identity theft:

Seniors are welcome to a presentation on identity theft and Medicare fraud and abuse from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow at Pascal Senior Center, 125 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie. Officer Donald Clime of the Anne Arundel County Police Department and Amy Rubino from the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging will lead the presentation. 410-222-6680.

Vascular disease:

North Arundel Hospital and Pasadena Senior Center will co-sponsor a lecture on vascular disease at 10 a.m. Saturday at Pasadena Senior Center, in Lake Shore Plaza on Mountain Road. Acute care nurse practitioner Terry DeVeaux of the Maryland Vascular Center at North Arundel Hospital will discuss blood circulation and describe types of vascular disease. Reservations are required. 410-222-0030.

Big band dance:

South County Senior Center will feature big band music in its latest installment of Dancin' Through the Decades from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 13 at the center. Big band music will be featured as the center recreates a wartime USO show. Members are encouraged to attend in military uniform or in factory dress of the era. The event is free. 410- 222-1927.

Downsizing:

"The Common Mistakes of Downsizing," will be offered at 1 p.m. Nov. 14 at O'Malley Senior Center. The program is for seniors who plan to move to smaller quarters or who are handling the estate of a loved one. 410-222-6227.

Music history:

The trio Downtown Rhythm Express will present a musical history of early rock 'n' roll at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 18 at O'Malley Senior Center. The group will perform boogie-woogie, blues, jazz, and rhythm and blues. 410-222-6227.

Health insurance:

O'Malley Senior Center will offer a program on the county Health Department's Senior Health Insurance Program at 1 p.m. Nov. 19 at the center. 410-222-6227.

Cholesterol check:

North Arundel Hospital will offer free cholesterol screenings from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 20 at Arnold Senior Center. Appointments are required. 410-222- 1922.

Wreath workshop:

O'Malley Senior Center will hold a wreath-making workshop to decorate the center at 1 p.m. Nov. 22 at the center. Materials will be provided. Space is limited. Registration is required. 410-222-6227.

Holiday bazaar workshop:

Hammonds Lane Center of Genesis ElderCare will hold a workshop session for its holiday bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at the center, 613 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park. 410-636- 3400.

Health online:

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health offers tips on finding reliable health resources on the Internet in the latest edition of its newsletter, Learn to Live at Fifty Plus. Individual and bulk copies of the free newsletter may be requested through the Health Department's Learn to Live Line: 410-222-7979.

Membership drive:

Pascal Senior Center, 125 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie, has begun its 2003 membership drive. There is no annual membership fee. Membership is open to people age 55 and older. Members are entitled to participate in classes, trips, meals and games and have access to the billiards room and library. The center also offers events such as holiday luncheons, theatrical programs and an annual picnic. 410-222-6680.