12:00: Medical Aid in Dying Act, and questions about who creates policy
1:00: Caregiving for people with dementia
In this special edition of "Connections" with a live audience, we discuss the Medical Aid in Dying Act and other legislation that can affect the disability community. How often are people with disabilities — and caregivers — brought into the discussion? What are the risks of legislating without that input, whether it's Medical Aid in Dying or other proposals? Who should be helping guide policy? Our guests discuss it. In studio:
- Chris Hilderbrant, executive director of the Rochester Spinal Association
- Heather Burroughs, caregiver and director of advocacy for AutismUp
- Brian Weber, member of the disability community and assistant football coach
Dementia affects nearly six million Americans and causes more than 100,000 deaths each year in the United States alone. For caregivers, that can mean myriad challenges: providing the right kind of support; understanding disease progression; financial difficulties; and more. In the second hour of this special edition of "Connections," we discuss what the experts say, and we hear from a local caregiver. In studio:
- Carol Podgorski, Ph.D., director of the Finger Lakes Center of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease, clinic director of the UR Medicine Memory Care Program, and director of Alzheimer’s Disease Support Programs for the University of Rochester Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program
- Barbara Smith, caregiver for her husband
- Jennifer Lesinski, vice president of marketing for St. John's Senior Living
- Katy Allen, division leader for caregiver services at Lifespan
*Note: "Connections" is livestreamed each day on the WXXI News YouTube channel. Watch here.
