Alzheimer's disease Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Possible Changes Coming To Student Vaccination Rules, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, the state has long been a standards bearer for vaccination rates across the country, but the legislature this year passed a bill to loosen restrictions for certain students in the state. But it has one final hurdle to clear before it’s implemented.

On this West Virginia Morning, the state has long been a standards bearer for vaccination rates across the country, but the legislature this year passed a bill to loosen restrictions for certain students in the state. But it has one final hurdle to clear before it’s implemented. Emily Rice has more.

Also, in this show, a bill Gov. Jim Justice vetoed last week would have helped fund research to treat Alzheimer’s disease, substance use disorder and more. Randy Yohe has the story.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.

Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

Justice Veto Of Alzheimer’s Research Funding Draws Ire

A bill Gov. Jim Justice vetoed last week would have helped fund research to treat Alzheimer’s Disease, substance use disorder and more.

Both the House and Senate unanimously passed House Bill 5014, which would have made a $2 million supplemental appropriation to support research at West Virginia University’s Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute.

During the session, House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, took a rare occasion to speak directly to the bill. He spoke of the WVU Neurology team using ultrasound technology to go beyond treating neurological disorders of many kinds.

“They have effectively cured Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease and opioid addiction,” Hanshaw said. “They now have, in hand, FDA clearance to extend their clinical trial beyond Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and opioid addiction to PTSD specifically targeted veteran populations and obesity. To treat and cure disorders that plague West Virginians in disproportionately high amounts. I encourage you to vote for the appropriation.”

In explaining his veto, Justice said, in a letter to the House and Senate, the appropriation had little funding context or direction. He said the bill language was ambiguous, and with budget questions remaining, the state needs to be prudent.

Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, the West Virginia Democratic Party Chairman, said there was no ambiguity in a bipartisan, unanimous vote.

“134 members of the legislature knew exactly what we were voting on,’ Pushkin said. “The work that has been done up at WVU has received national attention is something that we should completely support, not veto. This is the same governor, who so willingly gave $10 million to build a baseball park vetoes this money for such important Alzheimer’s research. It’s just beyond comprehension.”

It is now too late to override the veto. Justice said the WVU appropriation may be considered during an anticipated upcoming special legislative session. Pushkin said it’s likely that’s what will happen.

Lawmakers Discuss Bill That Would Bring Changes To Legislative Auditor’s Office

On this episode of The Legislature Today, the Legislative Auditor is a department under the West Virginia Legislature tasked with auditing offices under the executive branch. There is a bill making its way through the legislature that some say will “defang” the work done by the department while others say the bill strengthens it.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, the Legislative Auditor is a department under the West Virginia Legislature tasked with auditing offices under the executive branch. There is a bill making its way through the legislature that some say will “defang” the work done by the department while others say the bill strengthens it.

Randy Yohe spoke with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, and Democratic Party Chairman Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, for perspective on the issue.

In the House, a wide range of bills on third reading included a change in oil and gas property taxes, the sale of raw milk and changing the title of the curator of the Department of Arts, Culture and History. Randy Yohe has more.

In the Senate, the chamber approved 10 bills on third reading covering topics ranging from creating a state Alzheimer’s task force to the James A. Manchin Environmental Action Plan. Briana Heaney has more.

Finally, a group that spends a lot of time at the legislature campaigning for Second Amendment issues was back. Bob Brunner spoke to a representative to find out what they were working on now.

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Safeguarding Against Winter Wandering In People With Dementia

In light of recent winter weather, national and local dementia specialists encourage caretakers to reinforce safety precautions for loved ones who are prone to wandering.

As another West Virginia winter roars on, state and national specialists remind residents to reinforce safety precautions for their loved ones with dementia.

Individuals with dementia face more safety risks in periods of inclement weather, like the snowstorms that swept the Midwest and East Coast this weekend. Wandering away from home without preparing for low temperatures and icy conditions can increase the risk of falling, getting lost or becoming seriously injured outside.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) recently shared tips for taking care of individuals with dementia during the winter.

The AFA underscored the importance of keeping watch over home exit ways and developing a customized safety plan for each individual. These plans should take into account the makeup of a person’s home, the times of day when their condition worsens and the locations they might visit while wandering.

Taking advance precautions during spells of intense weather helps protect West Virginia residents with dementia, according to Joanie Maloney, family caregiver program manager for Kanawha Valley Senior Services.

Maloney explained that wandering can occur year-round, but that “it’s just a lot more on the dangerous side if the weather is extremely cold or extremely hot.”

Dressing loved ones with dementia appropriately for the weather — regardless of whether they plan to go outside — is another way family caretakers can reduce the risks of unexpected wandering, she said.

By providing these individuals cold-weather clothing and foot coverings, Maloney said that caretakers safeguard their loved ones from frostbite and other weather-related risks associated with cold-weather wandering.

“Definitely go ahead and dress them for the occasion,” she said.

Maloney added that the winter months are a good time to reinforce house locks and at-home safety features, ensuring that precautions are in place to support loved ones during the winter months and beyond.

“Safety is key,” she said. “ No one ever wants their loved one to be exposed to any kind of harsh weather, especially the cold.”

‘Purple Alert’ Legislation Would Help People With Dementia And Their Families

House Bill 4190 would create a Purple Alert system for missing cognitively impaired persons. The alert uses video image recording devices to search for the person missing and provides for notice and broadcasting of a Purple Alert.

Leaders with the Alzheimer’s Association West Virginia Chapter have said more than half of the 40,000 West Virginians with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia will wander off at some point.

Bill sponsor Del. Daniel Linville, R-Cabell, said the Purple Alert is different from a Silver Alert that’s focused on missing seniors.

“There was a big gap beneath the age of being seniors who find themselves with cognitive impairment and ultimately end up missing, and their families are searching for them,” Linville said.

Linville said implementation of the Purple Alert will simply follow the Amber and Silver Alert templates. He said this is a bipartisan bill that simply ran out of time in the last regular legislative session.

“This bill actually passed the House 91-0 and there was unanimous support last year,” Linville said. “It also passed the Senate. We anticipate that this will be a very easy bill to pass and we look forward to seeing the governor be able to sign it.”

Establishing a Purple Alert comes on the heels of Senate Bill 570 passed last year. It requires all new law enforcement and correction officers to undergo specialized training in how to identify and communicate with those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Prosecuting COVID-19 Fraud, Pharmacy Deserts and Spotting The Early Signs Of Dementia, This West Virginia Week

This week we heard about prosecutors on the trail of illegally obtained COVID-19 relief funds and communities grappling with the loss of pharmacies

We also learned some of the early warning signs of dementia to look out for this holiday season.

We also heard more on the state’s mail processing center’s future, as well as stories about a 911 service outage and a nursing shortage.

Chris Schulz is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.

West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week’s biggest news in the Mountain State. It’s produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.

Learn more about West Virginia Week.