MONDAY, DEC. 2 – SUNDAY, DEC. 8
RESEARCH
GIFTS FOR AGING LOVED ONES NOT AS COMPLICATED AS YOU MAY THINK – Christmas arrives again, bringing both joy and stress. Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa are getting older, and ideas for gifts are running thin. What could they possibly want? Christina Pierpaoli-Parker, a UA student pursuing her doctorate in clinical geropsychology, has conducted research that provides some answers. “In general, they don’t want stuff,” she said. “They want you. They want to spend time with their children, their grandchildren, and savor those experiences.” For assistance, contact Jamon Smith in UA communication at jamon.smith@ua.edu or 205-348-4956.
BEST BETS
COMBATTING OPIOID OVERDOSES: TEAM TO BEGIN TRAINING RURAL EMS PERSONNEL – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has awarded UA’s School of Social Work a $3.2 million grant to study the occupational stress of first responders and train them to better deal with opioid overdoses. The hope is that, through specific training relative to the dynamics and resources of 14 rural counties in Alabama, the state can lower its number of opioid overdose deaths, a number that more than doubled from 2012 to 2017, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In 2017, the state recorded 422 opioid overdose deaths. For more information, contact David Miller, communications specialist, UA School of Social Work, at 205-348-3942 or David.c.miller@ua.edu.
LOOKING AHEAD
TUSCALOOSA BICENTENNIAL LANDMARKS UNVEILED DEC. 13 – The yearlong celebration of Tuscaloosa’s bicentennial will culminate with the unveiling of three landmarks celebrating the city’s past, present and future on Tuscaloosa’s 200th birthday. A sculpture depicting Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and strategy; a timeline of monumental dates in the city’s history; and a time capsule will be dedicated during a 10 a.m. Dec. 13 ceremony at Manderson Landing. The event is open to the public. Watch for an upcoming news release with more details. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne in UA communications at 205-348-8325 or Bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
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