August 31, 2012
Caregivers Provides information, respite and support to people who give care to family and friends. The group meets 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the Heritage Office Complex in the Department of Aging and Disabilities office, fourth floor, 2666 Riva Road, Annapolis.
Joint School A free session on the preparation, recovery and benefits of hip- and knee-replacement surgery will be held at 4 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every other month at Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 300 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie. Information and reservations: 410-553-8282.
Suicide support group For ages 18 and older meets monthly on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Life Center, 445 Defense Highway in Annapolis. Registration is required. Information: 410-987-2129.
'Stepping Stones,' A support group for children ages 8-13 who are grieving the loss of a loved one, meets from 10 a.m. to noon monthly on Saturdays at the Life Center, 445 Defense Highway in Annapolis. Registration is required. Information: 410-987-2129.
Mental Health A support group for community members and families seeking information about psychiatric issues. The programs discusses depression, anxiety, addiction and bipolar disorder. The group meets the fourth Wednesday of every month in Room A of the Partial Hospitalization Program, second floor, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 301 Hospital Drive. Information: 410-553-8070 or 410-787-4627.
Screenings
The Department of Health offers vision and hearing screenings for children in pre-school, kindergarten, first and eighth grade, and for students new to Anne Arundel county schools. Children in the following schools will be screened this month:
•Edinboro Early School, Tuesday, Sept. 4, and Wednesday, Sept. 5
•Tyler Heights Elementary, Wednesday, Sept. 5, and Friday, Sept. 7
•South Shore Elementary, Thursday, Sept. 6
•Hannah More at Severn River Middle, Open Door Christian School, Friday, Sept. 7
•Maryland City Elementary, Sept. 10 and 11
•West Meade Early Education Center, Sept. 12 and 13
•Beaver Creek Kindergarten, Sept. 13 and 14
•Beth Shalom Nursery School, Children's World Learning Center at NSA #285, Sept. 14
•Eastport Elementary, Sept. 18 and 19
•Marley Middle, Sept. 19 and 20
•Van Bokkelen Elementary, Sept. 20 and 21
•Book of Life Academy, Granite Baptist Church School, Sept. 21
•Lake Shore Elementary, Sept. 24
•Quarterfield Elementary, Sept. 24 and 25
•Riviera Beach Elementary, Sept. 25
•Summit School, Sept. 27
•Meade Middle, Sept. 27 and 28
•St. Anne's Day School, Sept. 28
For additional information, call Kim Roussey, vision and hearing technician supervisor at 410-222-6838.
•Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in Anne Arundel County after lung cancer. Screenings and informational kits are available through the Health Department's Learn to Live program. To order a free kit, call the Learn to Live Line, 410-222-7979, or visit LearnToLiveHealthy.org. Also, the Department of Health's LifeScreen program offers free colorectal cancer screening to county residents ages 50 to 64 who are uninsured and income eligible. Information: 410-222-6640.
•The Department of Health offers free, confidential testing and counseling for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. For appointments: Annapolis, 410-222-7493; Glen Burnie, 410-222-6633; Parole, 410-222-7248. For personal and confidential HIV case management services, call 410-222-7108.
•The county health department provides free breast exams, mammograms, PAP tests and cervical cancer screenings to eligible county residents 40 and older. Information: 410-222-6180 or visit .
Continuing services
The county Health Department offers:
•The Administration Care Coordination Unit, which provides services to clients who are enrolled in or may be eligible for medical assistance and HealthChoice to help them gain access to health care. Information: 410-222-7541 or 410-222-4380.
•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 at aahealth.org/immunizations.
•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 pregnancy and breast-feeding information is featured in the baby-care kits or to take the free online "Taking Care of a Baby" and Home Safety" classes, go to aahealthybabies.org. The Anne Arundel Healthy Babies Coalition also offers tips on calming a crying baby. The kits contain information on having a healthy pregnancy and baby. Information: aahealthybabies.org or call 410-222-7223. For information about car seats and a list of inspection locations, call Maryland Kids in Safety Seats: 800-370-7328.
