Articles by Alexandra Radovic
Feds give $226 million to Alzheimer’s research, states take action
Congress recently approved a $226 million increase in Alzheimer’s and dementia research, and some states are already taking advantage.
Higher wages for caregivers could be reality if new bill passes Congress
Caregivers could see higher pay rates and seniors could bypass waiting lists, thanks to a newly proposed “Better Care” bill. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-6) recently introduced the Better Care Better Jobs Act to Congress. If passed, Casey said in a statement the bill would focus on improving the accessibility of Home and Community Based Services and addressing the payment rates of care workers, among other things.
Millions to possibly lose Medicaid coverage this year
As Medicaid prepares to close continuous enrollment in March, millions of older adults ask themselves: What next? Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when the U.S. entered a Medicaid has extended its service through continuous enrollment to ensure that low-income families and seniors could maintain coverage. Basically, the emergency measure prohibited states from kicking members off the Medicaid rolls.
Annual COVID-19 vaccine could be next step, FDA says
Would it be easier to get one yearly COVID-19 vaccine instead of continuous booster shots? The Food and Drug Administration seems to think so. The agency recently proposed a switch to an annual immunization against COVID-19 to replace the various booster shots, which help protect against variants of the virus.
Why is schizophrenia diagnosis so common in nursing homes? New investigation to explore
If an older adult experiences hallucinations and delusions, they may be diagnosed with schizophrenia and put on antipsychotic medication. But how often is this diagnosis accurate? AP News announced on Jan. 18 that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will launch an investigation this month exploring the potential misdiagnosis of schizophrenia in nursing homes and the overuse of antipsychotic drugs as a result.
New Amazon feature offers meds for $5 a month
Getting the prescription drugs your loved one needs could get a little easier with Amazon Prime’s new $5 pharmacy subscription service. The company recently announced a new add-on called RxPass, which allows Prime users to choose from a list of 50 different prescription drugs, used to treat conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, acid reflux and anxiety.
ABBA, Diana Ross and more 2023 Grammy nominees share advice on aging
As the 2023 Grammy Awards get ready to air on Feb. 5, fresh new faces gear up for their red carpet debut. During the show, new artists are introduced and many young singers and songwriters are recognized for their musical performances. However, this year, many seasoned musical veterans, including ABBA and Diana Ross, are up for awards. With decades of experience, they have often been asked what it’s like to age in the industry.
Older adults rejoin the workforce with help from new virtual tool
Looking for work? A new online tool could help you plan your next job. The National Council on Aging recently announced the launch of Job Skills CheckUp, a virtual platform designed to give older adults job-seeking tips. The digital tool will teach older adults about building resumes and professional networks, interviewing and more. “An increasing number of older adults need to work to cover their daily expenses,” Josh Hodges, NCOA’s chief customer officer, said in a press release.
Death of world’s oldest person sparks question: Does where you live determine how long you live?
Who’s the oldest person in the world? The title was most recently held by Lucile Randon, from southern France, before she died on Jan. 17 at 118 years old—making her the oldest living person at the time. A nun known as Sister Andre, Randon was born in 1904, and had lived through major historical events—from the recent COVID-19 pandemic to her first experience with electricity in a classroom and, most notably, two world wars.
There's a gummy for that: 10 health-boosting products you can chew
You may have heard about the benefits of green tea, apple cider vinegar or fish oil, but did you know they come in gummy form? This is true for many health-boosting substances, like turmeric, mushrooms and hemp. In fact, right now hundreds of gummies are on the market, all designed to supplement important vitamins and minerals you may be missing in your diet.
Golden Globes shine light on older adults in Hollywood
Award shows can often showcase new, up-and-coming young actors and actresses who are breaking out in Hollywood. While this year’s Golden Globes awarded a number of young actors, it also recognized the highly acclaimed performances of many older adult actors and directors. At 89 years old, Carol Burnett, best known for her comedy variety show, “The Carol Burnett Show,” even has an award named after her.
Free shingles vaccine in 2023 for older Americans with Medicare
Did you know millions of Americans are diagnosed with shingles each year? Now, older adults can get vaccinated for free. As you age, your immune system weakens and your risk of developing shingles increases. The virus, which is a reactivation of chicken pox, could cause older adults to experience pain, itching, fever and more.
New app for dementia uses music to improve memory
Hearing your favorite song can bring back a lot of memories. Vera, a new wellness app, is working to use the power of a tune by personalizing music for older adults living with dementia to improve cognitive function. Vera customizes its music stations by using AI technology to track your favorite artists and genres, as well as cultural information about where you grew up, your age and the language you speak.
Parkinson’s disease may be much more prevalent than previously thought, study claims
While Parkinson’s disease has generally been considered one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, a new study reports the disease may be much more prevalent than previously thought. A new study published in the journal npj Parkinson Disease on Dec. 15 reported 90,000 annual cases among adults 65 and older, making it the second most common age-related brain condition in North America. This incident count, however, is 50% higher than past data.
Maryland General Assembly elects Davis state treasurer
Country United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth...
Maryland General Assembly Elects Davis State Treasurer
The Maryland General Assembly on Thursday elected longtime Delegate Dereck Davis as the new state treasurer. Members of the Legislature filled out paper ballots and the Senate leadership accompanied their votes into the House of Delegates chamber where, after a careful tally, nearly all the votes went to Davis. Davis addressed fellow lawmakers after the vote. “The incredible show of support means a great deal to me,” he said.
Maryland General Assembly elects Davis state treasurer
This privacy policy has been compiled to better serve those who are concerned with how their ‘Personally identifiable information’ (PII) is being used online. PII, as used in US privacy law and information security, is information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context.
Dereck Davis elected by colleagues to serve as Maryland Treasurer
Dereck Davis, a delegate from Prince George’s County, was elected by his colleagues to serve as state treasurer. The Maryland General Assembly on Thursday elected longtime Del. Dereck Davis from Prince George’s County as the new state treasurer. Members of the Legislature filled out paper ballots and the Senate leadership accompanied their votes into the House of Delegates chamber where, after a careful tally, nearly all the votes went to Davis. Davis addressed fellow lawmakers after the vote.
Maryland State House dome, grounds slated for repairs
Country United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth...
Maryland State House dome slated for repairs
The Maryland State House. (Credit: Capital News Service) The historic dome atop the Maryland State House, and surrounding grounds and structures, is scheduled to get a revamp with a new $619,620 state contract.The state Board of Public Works this month agreed to dedicate money to “(Restoring) the exterior of the Maryland State House and grounds within State Circle, including stabilization and potential restoration of the Old Treasury Building,” according to the panel’s agenda.
Maryland State House dome, grounds slated for repairs
Country United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth...
Maryland State House dome, grounds slated for repairs
The historic dome atop the Maryland State House, and surrounding grounds and structures, is scheduled to get a revamp with a new $619,620 state contract. The historic dome atop the Maryland State House, and surrounding grounds and structures, is scheduled to get a revamp with a new $619,620 state contract. On Nov.
Maryland State House dome, grounds slated for repairs
The dome, atop the Maryland State House, and surrounding areas will undergo renovations until February 2023. The Board of Public Works is dedicating $619,620 to this project. (Alexandra Radovic/Capital News Service) ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The historic dome atop the Maryland State House, and surrounding grounds and structures, is scheduled to get a revamp with a new $619,620 state contract. On Nov.
Annapolis downtown floods as high water expected to last the weekend
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Flooding in Annapolis Friday night and into the weekend could reach the third-highest level ever recorded, according to the National Weather Service. (Video by Bethany Probst/Capital News Service) Areas along the Chesapeake Bay, including Baltimore City and Annapolis, are expecting coastal flooding, high winds, and heavy rains.
Horse rescue will operate new facility with grant from state
Video. Woodbine, Maryland, on Oct. 15, 2021. Equine Programs Director DeEtte Hillman shares more information about Days End Farm Horse Rescue and her close connections with the horses there. (Bethany Probst/Capital News Service) EDITORS: An Oct. 8 Capital News Service story on a horse rescue included reporting errors. The details are as follows: A description of the facility as a sanctuary — which applies to places in which at least some animals are never adopted and do not leave — was incomplete.
Maryland will pay wrongfully convicted man
This privacy policy has been compiled to better serve those who are concerned with how their ‘Personally identifiable information’ (PII) is being used online. PII, as used in US privacy law and information security, is information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context.
Maryland will pay wrongfully convicted man
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland has agreed to pay a wrongfully convicted prisoner more than $500,000 in compensation. The Board of Public Works on Wednesday voted unanimously to pay Leslie Vass total supplemental compensation of $577,587.
State hiring new superintendent for juvenile facilities
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A new superintendent is being hired to help manage Maryland’s schools for troubled youth, starting in January. The Juvenile Services Education Program, which Gov. Larry Hogan, R, signed into law in July, has started the scouting process for a new superintendent, who will be in charge of managing the education of all children in the state’s juvenile treatment facilities.
Oct. 1 laws affect police, voting, LGBTQ+ rights
ANNAPOLIS — New laws went into effect in Maryland last Friday that put into action police and criminal justice reforms, addressed early voting, and increased protections for LGBTQ+ people. Police reforms include greater transparency for police conduct records and independent investigations of deaths in police custody. New criminal justice laws prohibit life sentences without parole for minors tried as adults and decrease sentences if incarcerated people continue their education.
State hiring new superintendent for juvenile facilities
Country United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth...
Oct. 1 laws affect police, voting, LGBTQ+ rights
New laws went into effect in Maryland last Friday that put into action police and criminal justice reforms, addressed early voting, and increased protections for LGBTQ+ people. Police reforms include greater transparency for police conduct records and independent investigations of deaths in police custody. New criminal justice laws prohibit life sentences without parole for minors tried as adults and decrease sentences if incarcerated people continue their education.
New Maryland laws affect police, voting, LGBTQ+ rights
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — New laws going into effect in Maryland on Friday will put into action police and criminal justice reforms, address early voting, and increase protections for LGBTQ+ people. Police reforms include greater transparency for police conduct records and independent investigations of deaths in police custody. New criminal justice laws will prohibit life sentences without parole for minors tried as adults and decrease sentences if incarcerated people continue their education.
Studies Find Same-Sex Couples Generally Happier Than Straight Counterparts
Elizabeth Pavlesich (left) and her wife, Danielle. Via the WashingtonBlade (WB) Danielle Pavlesich walked into the pharmacy on a sunny Florida day to start what she didn’t know would be her last day at work. A photo on her desk of her and her wife Elizabeth caught the eye of one of Pavlesich’s coworkers, who said she couldn’t tell which of the partners was the “man” in the relationship, because they both had long hair. Danielle quit that very same day, and she and her wife moved to Maryland.
Studies find same-sex couples generally happier than straight counterparts
Elizabeth Pavlesich (left) and her wife, Danielle. Danielle Pavlesich walked into the pharmacy on a sunny Florida day to start what she didn’t know would be her last day at work. A photo on her desk of her and her wife Elizabeth caught the eye of one of Pavlesich’s coworkers, who said she couldn’t tell which of the partners was the “man” in the relationship, because they both had long hair. Danielle quit that very same day, and she and her wife moved to Maryland.
fast, fun and easy
Eliminate stress from your holiday to do list with these last-minute gift ideas. Editor’s note: This is part four of four 2019 Blade holiday gift guides. Previous installments (pop culture, home and hot this year) are online. To add extra sauce to any kitchen, these playful oven mitt and apron sets from Chocolate Moose (1743 L St., N.W.) make a laughable and functional stocking stuffer. Most sets run at $13 for mitts and $12 for aprons.
Washington Blade Gift Guide 2018 part II: gifts for home
Editor’s note: This is part two of four Blade holiday gift guides. Last week’s installment (pop culture) is online at washingtonblade.com if you missed it. Look for “hot this year” (Dec. 6) and “last minute” (Dec. 13). Home decor gifts are tricky. Yeah, maybe she collects ceramic frogs, but will she like the one you picked? And let’s face it — unless you’re a zillionaire, tabletop and wall real estate in our D.C.-area homes, apartments and rented rooms is precious.
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