Valley lawmakers hail bill supporting caregivers

Legislation focuses on follow-up care

HARTFORD - State Reps. Theresa Conroy, Linda M. Gentile, and Themis Klarides and state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. hailed House and Senate approval of legislation (SB 290) to facilitate follow-up care for hospital patients by requiring hospitals to record names of designated caregivers and provide detailed instructions for follow-up care.


There are more than 700,000 family caregivers in Connecticut providing daily care and support to their loved ones so that they may stay in their homes longer.

According to AARP, 61 percent of Connecticut residents over age 40 are currently providing, or have provided, unpaid care to an adult loved one.

“Complex medical care combined with shorter hospital stays can mean increased anxiety and stress on family members and leading to costly hospital readmissions,” Conroy said. “Caregivers provide patients with medication, injections, and change dressings and bandages. When a caregiver receives the proper tools and basic instructions from medical professionals at the hospital, we can ensure better outcomes.”

The legislation requires a hospital, when discharging a patient to his or her home, to:

• Allow the patient to designate a caregiver
• Document the designated caregiver
• Attempt to notify the designated caregiver of the patient's discharge home
• Instruct the caregiver on post-discharge tasks and care

“The legislation is a good next step in helping people recover from the ailment that required hospitalization,” Gentile said. “Making not only the patient, but a family member, spouse or friend accountable for follow up increases the odds for recovery.”

Klarides, House Republican Leader, said, “This is just common sense in providing for patients who often fail to receive follow-up care that can make a huge difference in their recoveries. This legislation will fill a yawning void in their aftercare and formalize much needed protocols.”

“Today's family caregivers are confronted with complex, taxing tasks,” Crisco said. “This legislation will ensure that they have sufficient instruction to prepare them for the challenges that lay ahead, helping patients remain in their homes and preventing costly hospital readmissions.”


This is a press release from Connecticut House Democrats.

Seymour Public Library to host talk on Titanic

Mark World Turtle Day at Kellogg Center in Derby

DERBY - Enjoy a family day of activities and programs to learn about turtles and their importance to the environment on World Turtle Day starting at 10 a.m. Saturday at Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave.

These interesting reptiles are always present in the landscape of Connecticut. They are frequently misunderstood and their special needs and habitat requirements are often over looked.

The day will start with ongoing activities featuring a turtle viewing station at the pond, a reading corner for turtle stories, and an ongoing public art station on turtles.

11 a.m.: Native Turtles of Connecticut Program

noon: Turtle Races

Local turtle ambassadors from area nature centers and Kellogg will race to the finish line to see which center has the fastest turtle.

An afternoon pool-side turtle feeding demonstration will then be held in the Kellogg Center with explanations about our resident turtles and what they eat. 

The day has something for everyone and for all ages to enjoy. You are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy the day.

The adjacent Osborne Homestead Museum will be open for tours from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and will have the unique challenge of “spot the turtle” in the rooms and on the grounds.

The Kellogg Environmental Center and the Osborne Homestead Museum are operated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.


This is a press release from the DEEP.

Talk at Wesley Village in Shelton to focus on emergency services

SHELTON - Balancing the responsibilities of work, finances, family life, and caring for an aging loved one can leave you feeling “Sandwiched” and in need of support. 

Let us help! Caregivers are invited to join us at Wesley Village from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. June 3 for our caregiver education series!

Our topic is Navigating the 911 Emergency Response System. Gain a better understanding of Emergency Medical Services and how they can help in times of crisis. 

Scott Tenney, of American Medical Response, will offer a discussion on the 911 response, medical information and tools that can help in an emergency, and an overview of State of Connecticut DNR Guidelines.

To RSVP, call 203-925-4952 or visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org. The program will be held at Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community on the Wesley Village Campus at 580 Long Hill Ave. A light supper will be served. 

Please note: we will be taking a reprieve from our series during the summer months of July and August.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Let there be light at art gallery in Derby

Sharing some good news from the Valley Arts Council:

The unnamed behemoth that controls electricity turned the power back on this afternoon at the Gallery@37, 37 Elizabeth St., Derby. 
As a member of the arts council, I say "Hooray!" 

And to quote Tangelene Ramsay, gallery administrator: "Having the lights off was a hardship; however, it was also a blessing. It gave us an opportunity to look at our future and make some changes. I, for one, am extremely excited at where these changes are taking us. Stay tuned folks! There is so much more to come!"

Cooking demo on tap at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library has scheduled another cooking demonstration for 6:30 p.m. June 15.

The topic will be Cooking with Zest. Stacey Ference of Savour Catering will show participants how lemon can be used to create refreshing summer dishes. 

Recipes will include lemonade, lemon vinaigrette, preserved lemons, lemon  marinade, lemon chicken, lemon potatoes, and lemon cake.

There will be samples of all demonstrated food. The class is for ages 18 and older. 
Registration is required.

For more information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482 or
visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org. 


This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.

Music, arts festival slated in June in Shelton