- General Page - Tier 2What is a Caregiver? A caregiver is simply someone who gives care to others. Caregiving might involve anything from helping an elderly parent organize their medications to providing round-the-clock care for a disabled child. A caregiver might be the mother of an adult with special needs, a husband or wife caring for a spouse with a chronic illness, or an older adult looking after a sibling with dementia. A caregiver does not need to be a family member. They may be a friend or companion of the person. They may give care 24/7, a few days a week, or on a part-time basis. The Unique Challenges of Caregiving Often, a caregiver doesn't have medical training, though may be expected to: Take on a new role that you feel completely unprepared for. You may never have pictured yourself in this situation, and you're not sure how to handle it. Be available round-the-clock. Be an advocate. Devote large amounts of time, energy, and resources towards managing complex medical care. Caregivers often feel overwhelmed, especially as a loved one's health gets worse. The demands of providing care can feel all-consuming, especially if you're still working, under a financial strain, or have other family obligations. Caregivers may experience stress, anxiety, depression, and physical health problems., At Luminis Health, we encourage caregivers to take care of their own needs as well as those of your care recipient. We address these needs as the “4Ms" — and here are some tips for managing them., Tips for Avoiding Caregiver Burnout Caregiving can take its toll on you emotionally and physically. To be able to take care of others you need to take care of yourself. Identify your support system. Make a list of key people in your life and those of your loved one. These people could be family, friends, neighbors, or members of your place of worship. Keep a visible calendar. It should be large and hung in a place where every visitor can see it. You can track appointments, needs, and visitors. You may want to highlight items or tasks that still need to be covered. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Most people genuinely want to lend a hand, but they don't know what you need. When someone says, “Let me know what I can do to help," give them a specific task (or choice of tasks). If you leave it vague, they won't know how to help — or they may assume you have all the help you need. Make a list of specific activities for helpers. That could include housework, shopping, laundry, delivering meals, visits, driving them to their doctor's appointments or other outings, or simply providing you with a few hours of respite. Schedule daily and weekly breaks. Sometimes just getting out for a couple hours — whether you have coffee with a friend, take in a movie, or go for a walk — can refresh and energize you. Create a Caregiver Healthcare Organizer , using a 3-ring notebook to collect all pertinent documents, history, calendars, medication lists, etc. for the person you care for. Then bring the organizer and all current medications to all medical appointments as a resource. View suggested content for your organizer here. Resources for Caregivers Fortunately, there are places to turn to help when it comes to caring for caregivers. Discuss caregiving with medical providers and nursing staff. They can walk you through what you might need to do as a caregiver and can offer access to support groups. For those who are hospitalized, the Luminis Health Expanded Guide for Caregivers and Care Partners discusses the invaluable role of Caregivers as they collaborate with the Healthcare Team, and questions to address prior to transitions home from the hospital. The Maryland Department of Aging and the Alzheimer's Association offer a wide range of support programs for caregivers, as well as legal and financial resources. Connecting with other people in your situation can be invaluable. There are many valuable articles and resources available at AARP caregiving page AARP.org/caregiving , including an excellent overview on Lessons AARP caregiving lessons page Every Family Caregiver Needs to Learn . Other resources include: Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities Prince George's County Aging and Disabilities Services National Caregiver Support Program United Hospital Fund Next Step in Care The Conversation Project Prince George's County Council Senior Resources Alzheimer's and dementia caregiving Alzheimer's patient and caregiver app Dementia Friendly America Video resources for caregivers: Age Friendly Care Defined Age Friendly Care Defined Older Adults & Medication Older Adults & Medication Dementia vs. Normal Memory Loss Dementia vs. Normal Memory Loss Mobility & Preventing Falls Mobility & Preventing FallsIf you have ever been a caregiver, you understand the unique rewards — and challenges — of looking after a loved one. You want to give them the best possible care from day to day, but being a caregiver can often feel overwhelming, lonely, and stressful. At Luminis Health, our goal is to provide support, educational tools, and comfort to caregivers of all ages. Here are some important things to know about being a caregiver.0
- Behavioral Health, CommunityGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAbout four in ten adults (or 42 percent of Americans) report that there is a gun in their household. Recent data shows that more people died from firearm injuries in the United States last year than in any other year since 1968, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Gun-related injury and death remains one of the most seriously, and largely unaddressed, challenges facing the country. As the number of firearm homicides and suicides rise, the medical community is taking notice and action to treat the issue as a public health concern. Well over 100 professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, and the American Public Health Association, have identified gun violence as a threat to the health of the nation and have issued calls to action around gun safety. At Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), leaders in ethics and medicine are working together to lay the groundwork for a policy on how clinicians can counsel patients on gun safety. “The perfect storm is brewing for us to no longer turn our back,” says David Moller, Ph.D., chief of clinical and organizational ethics at AAMC, in reference to gun safety. “It’s always about the people and, as medical professionals, we have a moral obligation to keep our communities healthy and safe.” READ MORE: Tips for talking to kids after traumatic events What does gun safety look like from a physician perspective? “My responsibility as a physician is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients,” says Vincent DeCicco, DO, family physician at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Annapolis Primary Care. “To me, it’s like talking to patients about their risk for heart disease. My moral obligation is to ask patients about their behaviors and help them get on a healthier track. ” Dr. DeCicco says conversations about gun safety with patients start by encouraging healthy behaviors, which means owning a firearm in a responsible and safe manner. “Public health comes down to encouraging healthy behaviors,” adds Dr. DeCicco. “I won’t take your weapon away as a physician, but I do have a moral obligation to talk to you about the responsibility that comes with it.” Andrew McGlone, MD, physician at AAMG Annapolis Primary Care, concurs that gun safety is a public health issue. “The medical community is positioned to play a significant role in the reduction of injury and death from firearms,” he says. “We can start by promoting gun safety to decrease unauthorized access for children, adolescents, and patients at risk for suicide. Approximately 40 percent of gun deaths in Maryland are from suicide. Research estimates that 45 percent of suicide victims in the United States were in contact with a primary care provider within one month of suicide. Empowering health providers, patients and their families to have honest and stigma-free conversations about mental health, suicide risk and gun safety is imperative.” How can a public health approach help with gun safety? Like other major health threats, Moller says the medical community can help reduce avoidable gun-related injuries and deaths using a public health approach. Using domestic violence as an example, he says medical professionals needed to think bigger and broader about how to solve the problem to achieve substantive change. “As cases of domestic violence increased, medical professionals began to develop the idea that we needed a different approach, says Moller. “We began to reframe the problem of domestic violence away from the individual encounter and began looking at it as a community and public health problem.” As a result, health providers today often screen their patients for signs of abuse and many hospitals are providing coordinated services to domestic violence victims. Similarly, Moller says starting a conversation together about reasonable, sensible solutions and recommendations on gun safety, storage, accessibility, and health is pivotal. “This conversation is not aimed at taking away the legitimate right of people to own and use guns, but at minimizing the violence and the mortality that is associated with the role of guns in American society,” he adds. “It has to start with a conversation, and that conversation has to be reasonable, sensible and civil. For us in the medical profession, this transcends politics. Harm reduction is not the same as gun control. This is not political advocacy, it’s patient advocacy.” Originally published in What’s Up Magazine. Authors David Moller, Ph.D., is chief of clinical and organizational ethics at AAMC. Vincent DeCicco, DO, is a family physician at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Annapolis Primary Care. To reach him, call 443-270-8600. Andrew McGlone, MD, is a physician at AAMG Annapolis Primary Care. To reach him, call 443-481-1150.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogGlendale, MD — As new federal data shows more women are delaying prenatal care, Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) is hosting its third annual Community Baby Shower Saturday, April 11, 2026 from noon to 4 p.m. Due to growing popularity and a desire to reach more families, LHDCMC is partnering with Reid Temple A.M.E to host this year’s Community Baby Shower at the church’s campus in Glendale. The Community Baby Shower is free and open to the public and will support expectant mothers and families with children up to age 2 through: Educational presentations on pregnancy, maternal mental health, and lactation. Local vendors offering baby essentials and supportive services. A raffle for breast bumps, a car seat, and stroller. Diaper and other baby giveaways. “During the pandemic, Reid Temple A.M.E. Church was a trusted partner in helping us educate and vaccinate the community against COVID-19,” said Temi Oshiyoye, Luminis Health’s director of Community Health Improvement. “We are proud to partner again to ensure families have the knowledge, resources, and support they need for a healthy pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey.” The need for early and consistent care is more urgent than ever. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that a quarter of women delay prenatal care, which increases the risk of complications and maternal mortality. The trend is especially concerning in Prince George’s County, where eight out of 10 women leave the county to deliver their babies. Black women also continue to face disproportionately high maternal mortality rates, approximately 50% higher than the national average. LHDCMC is committed to addressing the maternal health crisis. Next month, the hospital will break ground on a new Women’s Health Pavilion on its Lanham campus. The pavilion will have inpatient obstetric services, including labor, delivery, and postpartum care. These expanded women’s health services are scheduled to launch in 2028. Once fully operational, LHDCMC expects to deliver approximately 2,000 babies each year. “By expanding access to comprehensive women’s health services, we can help reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in our community and build healthier, thriving families for generations to come,” said Deneen Richmond, president of LHDCMC. “Our annual Community Baby Shower is one way we are helping families start that journey with the support they deserve.“ In addition to expanding hospital-based services, Luminis Health is strengthening its investment in community-based prevention efforts. This summer, the health system will launch the Start Well Preconception Program, a cohort-based initiative designed to support women before pregnancy. Led by registered nurses, midwives and doulas, and community health team members, the program connects participants with trusted clinical guidance and a supportive peer network as they navigate important health decisions. Sessions include education and on-site health screenings such as A1C testing, diabetes risk assessment, nutrition counseling and blood pressure checks. Thanks to a generous grant from Care First and the Greater Washington Community Foundation, the program will be offered free of charge beginning in July, and no insurance is required. Together, these efforts reflect Luminis Health’s commitment to ensuring every family in Prince George’s County has access to the care, education, and support needed for a healthy baby before, during, and after pregnancy.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center is pleased to name Dawn Ridley as the new vice president, development. Ridley has more than 25 years’ experience in program development, fundraising, marketing, business development and new product development. She most recently served as Assistant Vice President of Institutional Giving at Howard University. “It is clear Dawn has the experience and expertise to lead our Foundation to great heights, including our current 2-year $2.5M comprehensive campaign,” said Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “Since the mission of Luminis Health is to enhance the health of the people and communities we serve, Dawn will play a pivotal role in making sure we continue to provide quality healthcare services for our family, friends, and neighbors.” “I am honored to live in Prince George’s County and now work for the premiere hospital in the region,” said Dawn Ridley. “For more than thirty years, the Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center Foundation has raised funds to support hospital programs and services. With the new behavioral health pavilion being built on campus, this is an exciting time to make a positive impact in this community.” Ridley shares a passion for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) initiatives. With its Health Equity and Anti-Racism Task (HEART) Force, Luminis Health has become a national model for eradicating inequities in health care. “I am proud to further the work of the HEART Force and I’m excited about the opportunity to increase health equity for our Prince George’s community,” said Ridley. Ridley is on the faculty at Georgetown University and Howard University. She has held leadership roles with AARP, D.C. United, National Geographic Society, NFL Players Association, Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, and the Atlanta Braves baseball club. In addition, Ridley served as the chair of the AARP Black Caucus Employee Resource Group.0
- Complete Care for Joint PainAt Luminis Health, many kinds of experts come together to treat arthritis and joint pain in different ways. Working together, we can get you back on the move, so you can return to doing what's important to you. The tools we use are:Braces and assistive devices. These devices take stress off of your joint by providing extra support. They can also stop your joint from moving in ways that cause pain.Injection therapy. This can deliver a dose of pain-relieving or numbing medication right where you need it. Or it may involve injecting a fluid that helps the joint move more smoothly.Low Dose Radiation Therapy. This can reduce pain and stiffness caused by inflammatory and degenerative conditions of the tendons, joints and other soft tissues. Learn more!Medication. We might recommend an over-the-counter medication or write you a prescription. These medicines are only one piece of the puzzle, though. Exercise and physical therapy are far more effective at helping you move better and reduce your discomfort long term. Medications can make it easier for you to take part in these treatments.Physical therapy. Our physical therapists can prescribe low-impact exercises to strengthen your muscles, which eases stress on your joint. Other exercises can reduce stiffness so you can move the joint more freely. If you don't stay active, your joint pain can get worse. What's more, weak muscles make it harder for you to move.Weight management programs. Extra weight puts more stress on your knees and hips. In fact, losing just five pounds takes 15 pounds of pressure off each knee every time you take a step. We can help you create eating and exercise plans that fit into your life.Joint replacement surgery. Once non-surgical options no longer provide the relief you need, your doctor may recommend joint replacement surgery. Total joint replacement has a strong, proven track record for safety and success.Ready for surgery?Once non-surgical options no longer provide the relief you need, your doctor may recommend joint replacement surgery. Total joint replacement has a strong, proven track record for safety and success. Luminis Health Orthopedics delivers nationally recognized joint care, right here in Maryland. Our experts guide you from preparation to recovery, helping you move confidently and live pain-free. Our surgeons offer:Hip replacement Knee replacementAnkle replacementElbow replacementShoulder replacementWhat Is Osteoarthritis?When you have osteoarthritis, the cartilage "cushion" between the bones in one of your joints is wearing away. Normal aging or an earlier injury, like a torn knee ligament, can cause it. Stress from excess body weight also speeds up this loss. Your genes play a role, too, as "weak" cartilage runs in some families. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 32.5 million U.S. adults are living with osteoarthritis.As the cartilage breaks down, the body releases substances that cause pain, stiffness and swelling. In fact, the name arthritis comes from a Greek word that means "disease of the joint." Severe cartilage loss causes pain in another way, too. Without enough of it to keep bones in the joint from gliding against each other smoothly, bone grinds against bone.At Luminis Health, we offer a full range of non-surgical treatments to help you manage arthritis and joint pain. We can also recommend ways to keep the damage from getting worse.ConditionConditions/Services/Treatments PageArthritis and Joint Pain Don’t let joint pain keep you from the life you love. Luminis Health Orthopedics is ready when you are with expert care to help you move comfortably and confidently again.We offer a full range of treatments for arthritis and joint pain. Whether you have mild discomfort or severe pain, we can help.0
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