January 30

Letters to the Editor: Much at stake in city tar sands proposal

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People march to the Maine State Pier in Portland on Saturday to protest the possible use of the Portland-to-Montreal pipeline to transport tar sands oil. The delay in action on an anti-tar sands proposal for city purchases gives all involved time to research the issue thoroughly, a reader says.

2013 File Photo / Gregory Rec

Daniel F. Lynch

Portland

 

Hardworking caregivers do have resources for relief

 

There is a good chance that if you are not a caregiver yourself, then you know someone else who is.

In the United States, approximately 43.5 million adults provide what is called "unpaid" care to someone age 50 or older. Breaking that number down further, 19 percent of all adults are responsible for daily caregiving tasks such as meal preparation, travel to and from appointments and cleaning for an older dependent or loved one.

When one considers how many caregivers in America have jobs, other demanding responsibilities and/or children of their own, one can start to imagine how stressful their lives can be.

If you know someone who is a caregiver, there are ways to help. A lot of caregivers may be unaware that there are resources available that can provide some relief.

For example, the Department of Health and Human Resources' Eldercare Locator is a great way to get started, and they are just a phone call away at 1-800-677-1116.

The AARP Caregiving Resource Center at www.aarp.org/caregivers is also a site that offers a wide range of services and supports for both caregivers and for those of us who might wish to help.

If you've ever taken care of an older parent or loved one, you know how much it can mean to have a break and some free time for yourself. Helping out a caregiver in 2013 would be a great resolution for the new year.

Helena Trumble

AARP Greater Portland Chapter No. 228

Windham

 

Wrong Newtown count is more than inaccurate

 

Almost all media reported that 26 people died in the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School slaughter in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14. But the true number was 27.

Not to include the suicide of the shooter, Adam Lanza, is to not acknowledge that he was human. He was sick. He was flawed. He was desperately in need of help that wasn't available. (States have cut mental health budgets by 12 percent since 2009.) But he was human. He counted.

So editors, take note. People, take note. When writing or speaking or thinking of that terrible event: Twenty-seven human beings died in that school. We owe it to our shared humanity to be accurate.

Catherine Wolff

Kittery

 

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