Hospice offers training course for volunteers
Carroll Hospice will offer a bereavement skills hospice training course for volunteers.
Classes will be held from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays March 1 to April 12 at the hospice office, 95 Carroll St., Westminster.
Topics will include the hospice philosophy, medical aspects, issues of death and dying, family dynamics, signs and symptoms of dying, facing mortality, communication, grief issues and spiritual aspects.
The class is designed for direct care volunteers, medical personnel and interested community members.
Class size is limited, and registration is required.
The hospice also will hold competency testing at 6 p.m. and a session on "The Dying Process in Specific Diseases" at 7 p.m., both May 3.
Information: 410-871-7228.
Community college sets pharmacy classes
Carroll Community College is offering "Pharmacy Technician Training" from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays March 3 to June 30 at the Gateway School.
This course will prepare students for entry-level positions in retail, home care and hospital pharmacy settings. A foundation in math and computer concepts is recommended.
Upon completion of the class, students will be prepared to take the PTCB National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.
Students needing to complete PTCB continuing education requirements and keep CPhT certification can take "Pharmacy Law," a class focusing on state versus federal law as it pertains to the pharmacy technician.
"Pharmacy Law" will be held from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. March 31 at the Gateway School. One of the 20 hours of continuing education is required in pharmacy law every two years. Carroll is an approved PTCB training site.
Information: 410-386-8100.
Basket bingo to raise money for Relay for Life
Carroll Hospital Center will hold its third annual basket bingo fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life on March 5 at the Pleasant Valley fire hall.
Doors open at 6 p.m., and games begin at 7 p.m. Food will be sold, including fried chicken, pizza, sandwiches and baked goods.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Raffles will be held for a Longaberger wrought-iron three-tier stand and a craft keeper basket.
Seating is limited, and reserved tickets are recommended.
The fire hall is at 2030 S. Pleasant Valley Road.
Information: 410-871-7250.
United Way offers $21,000 to county service programs
United Way of Central Maryland is offering $21,045 in grants to health and human service programs in Carroll County.
The funding includes $15,000 from the United Way of Central Maryland and $6,045 from the United Way Community Partnership of Carroll County.
United Way will award grants of up to $3,000 to Carroll County programs that demonstrate their effectiveness and address at least one of United Way's four focus areas: "Investing in Children and Youth," "Building the Workforce," "Strengthening Families" and "Responding to Crisis."
A committee of local volunteers will review all grant proposals and determine allocations.
Completed grant applications should be mailed to United Way Community Partnership of Carroll County, P.O. Box 2047, Westminster 21158, or sent by fax to 410-848-2436. Applications must be postmarked by March 15.
Grant applications: Sandy Sipes or Judy Merritt, 410-840-2837.
Health services center schedules tai chi classes
Three Treasures Health Services of Sykesville will offer classes in the Chinese internal healing art of tai chi.
Frances Gander, a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, will teach the classes. Topics include qigong and internal energy cultivation, tai chi philosophy and principles, and applications.
Tai chi classes are from 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays March 15 to April 21 and April 28 to June 2. Classes are limited to 12 students.
Classes cost $85 in advance or $90 at the door.
Registration is required. Checks can be sent to Three Treasures, 7532 Norwood Ave., Sykesville 21784.
Information: 410-549-0156.
Fairhaven, Copper Ridge recognized by commission
EMA Inc. has announced the re-accreditation of Fairhaven and the accreditation of Copper Ridge, both in Sykesville, through the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission for January 2004 to January 2009.
Fairhaven is a continuing-care retirement community, and Copper Ridge is dedicated to the care of those with dementia. Buckingham's Choice, a continuing-care retirement community in Frederick County operated by EMA, also was accredited.
The CCAC submission was a self-study that involved the staff, board members and residents of each community.
Hay earns certification as activities director
Carroll Lutheran Village employee Tammy Hay recently earned her certification as an activities director from the National Certification Council of Activity Professionals.
Hay completed 180 hours of classroom instruction at the Community College of Baltimore County and 180 hours of practical care in assisted-living nursing homes and adult day care centers, providing various levels of care, including to dementia clients.
Hay has been activities coordinator for the village's Diven House for assisted living for more than five years. To maintain her certification, Hay will need to earn 32 hours of continuing education each year.