skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

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

One million acres of forest protected under The Conservation Fund, including in OR; Trump seeks to set aside his New York hush money guilty verdict after Supreme Court immunity ruling; 'Share the Pennies' weatherization program tackles climate solutions, reduces cost; Utah feels the impact of California's ban on gestation crates.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

SCOTUS gives former President Trump a huge win in terms of immunity, which might apply to charges of election interference. A new poll finds future court appointments are crucial for voters, and President Biden continues to face post-debate calls to leave the race.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Ugly, imperfect produce destined for the landfill is being upcycled by a California candy company, a Texas volunteer uses his Navy training to map the gaps in broadband, and Pennsylvania has a new commission tasked with reversing its shrinking rural population.

Summer safety tips for CT people with dementia, Alzheimer’s

play audio
Play

Monday, May 27, 2024   

This Memorial Day, Connecticut health experts are guiding caregivers on how to keep people with Alzheimer's safe.

People with the various forms of dementia cannot always voice their needs, so caregivers have to be mindful.

Kristen Cusato, director of communications for the Connecticut chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, noted planning ahead reduces injury risk and helps a person with dementia feel more relaxed. She said Memorial Day celebrations can sometimes overwhelm someone with Alzheimer's or dementia.

"Maybe if you normally have a giant picnic with a ton of people, maybe you just have a smaller picnic with yourself, and a couple of family members and the person with dementia," Cusato suggested. "Go sit on the beach with a nice umbrella and nice cool towels for the neck."

She added people with dementia might not recognize if they are getting sunburned, so keeping them covered is essential. One thing to avoid is the overstimulation watching fireworks in person could create. Cusato recommended watching at home could be a better and less frightening option. She added shutting the shades in a cool room, and turning on music or a TV show can make it an enjoyable Memorial Day for all.

Cusato pointed out there are some things people do not always consider when caring for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia. One in particular is how heat can agitate someone with the illnesses. Rather than argue with them, she advised good communication skills -- and what she described as "going into their reality" -- makes a difference.

"Someone said, 'Oh boy, I'm not feeling well, I've got to go home, I've got to go home.' 'OK, tell us what home means to you. What is it like at the home? Oh, you grew up on So-and-So Avenue. Tell us about that,'" Cusato outlined. "Don't say the words, 'Remember this, remember that.'"

Pulling out a photo album can sometimes reorient the person who is feeling threatened. She added it is important to stay with your loved one at gatherings and offer a quiet place away from crowds. About 70% of Alzheimer's patients wander. Cusato also suggested registering them with "Bring Me Back Home," a program to help law enforcement locate missing or wandering people.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
There are no income or registration requirements for kids to participate in the state's Summer Meals program, which serves breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner to all youths up to age 18. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

With school cafeterias closed for the summer, community groups and nonprofits are working to ensure that Colorado's one in five children who go …


Social Issues

play sound

Former President Donald Trump has taken credit for placing three conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. On Monday, the court awarded him a …

Social Issues

play sound

By Ashli Blow for Tennessee Lookout.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Tennessee News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Publ…


Although citywide bans on camping and other laws disadvantaging homeless people grew widely from 2006 to 2019, homeless encampments grew by 1,300% in all 50 states. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Connecticut advocates are distressed about the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Grants Pass v. Gloria Johnson. The ruling said public camping bans …

Environment

play sound

New polling shows most Americans still favor non-fossil fuel energy sources, but support for certain renewables is not quite as strong these days and …

The Conservation Fund says it aims to protect five million acres of forest by 2035. (Zack Frank/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

The Conservation Fund, which works to protect land and nature across the U.S. has announced it has protected more than 1 million acres of working …

Environment

play sound

New York's Building Code Council is set to include the All-Electric Buildings Act in its 2025 code update. The 2023 law bans natural gas and other …

Social Issues

play sound

Two of the largest credit card companies in the United States want federal regulators to greenlight a merger and the deal has been met with skepticism…

 

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