July 30, 2010
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 are open to cancer patients, caregivers and families. Pre-registration is required for all classes. The Wellness House is at 2625 Mas-Que Farm Road. Appointments: 410-990-0941 or wellnesshouse@comcast.net.
Water-quality information
The county Health Department will provide water sampling results for more than 100 county beaches and waterways now through Labor Day at http://www.aahealth.org or call 410-222-7999. Water samples are routinely tested for enterococci, the bacteria found in the intestines of all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Facts on water quality and health tips for natural bodies of water are available on the website.
Calendar
Open house for volunteers Sponsored by the Hospice of the Chesapeake the open house will be held 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Annapolis office, 445 Defense Highway. Hospice staff will discuss patient care and bereavement support, general office duties, special events and community outreach programs. Information and registration: 443-837-1549 or kbourgard@hospicechesapeake.org.
The Baltimore Washington Medical Center sponsors the following August events:
•Preventing Diabetes How to make simple nutrition and exercise changes that can significantly reduce the chance of developing Type II diabetes. The program will be 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4. Cost $25. Reservations are a must. Information: 410-787-4940. The class will also be offered 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 13 in the Joslin Center, BWMC, 305 Hospital Drive.
•Safe Sitter Program for pre-teens ages 11-13. Learn babysitting skills and abilities in caring for young children in emergency and non-emergency situations. Cost $50. Pre-registration is required at mybwmc.org.
•Weight Management and Wellness Seminar Co-sponsored by The University of Maryland Center for Weight Management will meet 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 25. Information. 410-328-8940. Registration required at http://www.umm.edu/weightloss.
•Joint School All you need to know about the preparation, recovery and benefits of hip and knee surgery, 4 p.m. Aug. 18, Information and registration: 410-553-8282.
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.
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.
•Healthy pregnancy and baby-care kits are available by calling the Tot's Line at 1-877-817-8687. This confidential help line offers advice and county service referrals for pregnant women, parents and caregivers of children up to age 5.
•Free kits about car safety for babies and toddlers is available from the Anne Arundel Healthy Babies Coalition. The kits also contain useful information for pregnant women, parents and caregivers. Visit http://www.aahealthybabies.org. For additional information about car seats and a list of inspection locations, call Maryland Kids In Safety Seats (MD KISS) 1-800-370-7328.
•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 http://www.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.
