FluMist vaccine for students
Free FluMist vaccine will be offered to all Anne Arundel County public school students through a partnership with the Anne Arundel County Department of Health, Oct. 5-15.
Administered to healthy children between the ages of 5 and 11, the nasal spray vaccine contains the live but attenuated flu virus. Students must provide a written parental consent form. Permission forms must be returned to the school no later than Sept. 25. Forms can be found on the schools Web site at aacps.org.
The FluMist vaccine is not the same as a vaccine for H1N1 (swine flu). Additional information is available on the county department of health's Web site aahealth.org.
Seasonal flu vaccine clinics
The Anne Arundel County Department of Health clinics will provide free seasonal flu vaccine to county residents beginning Oct. 9. Information on the clinics is available on the department's Web site at aahealth.org and on the flu information phone line 410-222-7343, Flu vaccinations are free to county residents, but a $20 donation is appreciated. Medicare Part B will cover the $20 donation; but individuals must bring their Medicare cards. The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against the H1N1 (swine) flu.
* Oct. 9, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. South County Senior Center, 27 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater.
* Oct. 16, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. O'Malley Senior Center, 1275 Odenton road, Odenton.
Calendar
Weight management and wellness : Seminar sponsored by the University of Maryland Center will be offered at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Courtney Conference Center, lower level of the Tate Center, 305 Hospital Drive. Conducted by Dr. Mark Kligman, the seminar explores a comprehensive surgical approach to weight loss. Surgical therapy is a treatment option reserved for those ages 18 to 60 who have a body mass index (BMI) over 40 or who have a BMI between 35 and 40 and obesity-related medical complications, such as diabetes, significant cardiovascular disease or sleep apnea. To register, call the University of Maryland Center, 410-328-8940, or go to umm.edu/weightloss.
Baby sitters course : Class for teens ages 11 to 15 will be offered 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Laurel Regional Hospital, 7300 Van Dusen Road, Laurel. The program will cover safety precautions, calling for emergency help, proper handling of an infant, safe and appropriate toys, basic first-aid and marketing your services. Cost is $28. Registration deadline is Oct. 1. For additional information call 301-497-7914.
Screenings:
The Anne Arundel County Health Department provides free breast exams, mammograms, Pap tests and cervical cancer screenings to eligible female county residents 40 and older. For additional information, call 410-222-6180.
The Health Department's vision and hearing technicians and school nurses will conduct mandated screenings at the following schools in September.
* Tuesday at Chesapeake Montessori
* Tuesday and Wednesday at Brooklyn Park Middle.
If a potential deficiency is detected, a letter will be sent to the parent informing them of the results. For additional information call Kim Roussey, vision and hearing technician supervisor at 410-222-6838.
Support groups :
* The Hospice of the Chesapeake will offer several bereavement support groups beginning this fall. For those grieving the death of a parent, the group will meet from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 20 through Nov. 24 at The Life Center at Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, Registration deadline is oct. 14.
* In partnership with Baltimore Washington Medical Center, an adult bereavement group will be offered 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Nov. 5 to Dec. 10. The group is facilitated by a Hospice of the Chesapeake counselor and will be held at the medical center, 301 Hospital Drive, 2nd floor PHP Suite in Glen Burnie. Registration deadline is October 28. Cost is $60 per person. Free for Hospice of the Chesapeake families. To register, phone 410-987-2129.
Dementia and Alzheimer series : Sponsored by the National Family Caregivers' support program at the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities:
* 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday and Oct. 8 and 15, South County Senior Center
* 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 5, 12, and 19, Arnold Senior Center, sponsored by Heartlands Assisted Living at Severna Park
* 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 7, 21 and 28, O'Malley Senior Center, sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care
To register call 410-222-4464 ext. 3043 or register online at aacounty.org/Aging/needingCare/CompCaregiver.cfm.
