skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, November 22, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump announces Pam Bondi of FL as new attorney general pick, hours after Matt Gaetz withdraws; House passes bill targeting nonprofits in NY and nation; NM researcher studies why pedestrian and bicyclist deaths are on the rise; Researchers link better outcomes to MN adoption reforms.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump has a new pick for Attorney General, his incoming "border czar" warns local Democratic officials not to impede mass deportation, and the House passes legislation that could target any nonprofit group accused of supporting terrorism.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The CDC has a new plan to improve the health of rural Americans, updated data could better prepare folks for flash floods like those that devastated Appalachia, and Native American Tribes could play a key role in the nation's energy future.

Often Hidden, Research Casts Light on Kinless Adults with Dementia

play audio
Play

Thursday, August 31, 2023   

Washington state researchers are spotlighting an often overlooked population: kinless adults with dementia.

The population is often difficult to study for a variety of reasons. Marlaine Figueroa-Gray is a medical anthropologist with Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute who has been involved in this research.

She said when people with dementia don't have a spouse or children, there often isn't someone who acts as a point of contact for studies. Figueroa-Gray noted that there other consequences, too.

"When people also end up living as a kinless person with dementia," said Figueroa-Gray, "they don't have that family support to bring them even in to get their medical care."

Figueroa-Gray said researchers wanted to figure out what happens to these folks when they don't have caregiver support. So they took a unique approach, and looked through administrative records to find kinless adults with dementia.

In another study, Figueroa-Gray said researchers found this population struggling with daily activities - and needing assistance bathing, dressing and managing medication.

"They had challenges driving, and they experienced changes to affordability of daily life - often being unable to keep up with rising rents in their neighborhood," said Figueroa-Gray. "And all of these needs are obviously more challenging to manage without close support."

Figueroa-Gray noted that a network of neighbors can sometimes provide care for dementia patients, but these relationships can be fragile.

She said many people can find themselves in this situation, so it's important for everyone to understand it.

"Really thinking about the system and policy level," said Figueroa-Gray, "what can we do to support people as they age and might, kind of, age out of their family relationships by just surviving other deaths that happen?"



Disclosure: Kaiser Health Plan of Washington Project contributes to our fund for reporting on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Health Issues, Hunger/Food/Nutrition, Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Use caulk, spray foam and weather stripping to keep more heat inside the home. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

La Niña is bringing a cooler, wetter winter to Oregon and likely driving up heating bills as systems work harder. This is the third year of …


Environment

play sound

The number of pedestrians and bicyclists killed on roadways in the U.S. has nearly doubled in the past 12 years and a New Mexico researcher wants to …

Environment

play sound

Minnesota's solar energy outlook took a big step forward this week with a new project coming online, bringing the conversation back into focus about …


Minnesota's foster care entry rate has declined in recent years, along with efforts to bolster the state's adoption policies. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

This Saturday is National Adoption Day and the latest findings showed Minnesota has made progress in helping kids in the foster care system secure a b…

Social Issues

play sound

House lawmakers have passed a bill advocates said will be harmful to nonprofits in New York and nationwide. House Resolution 9495 passed with a 219-1…

Research shows in the United States and globally, alcohol consumption is a major cause of preventable death and disability and increases liver disease, mental health disorders and accidents. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A recent study from Florida Atlantic University highlights a concerning rise in alcohol-related deaths across the United States, with mortality rates …

Environment

play sound

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration …

Social Issues

play sound

Ten years ago today, 12-year-old Tamir Rice was shot by Cleveland police while holding a toy gun, sparking national protests for police reform…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021