Help Las Vegas Babies’ Growth By Being A Volunteer Snuggler

This is one of those volunteer gigs that might seem to benefit the volunteer more than the person being helped. And as much as I could argue that point when the topic is baby-snuggling, it's not true in this case. Holding a new life in your arms does definitely give a volunteer all the feels. But it's also incredibly beneficial for Nevada's most vulnerable little residents.

Silver State Pediatric is a premier long-term care facility in Las Vegas. They provide services and treatment to children who are battling complex medical conditions. Many of the babies at Silver State Pediatric were born prematurely, and some to mothers with addictions. Due to the circumstances, these little ones need extra TLC that can be provided, in part, by volunteers willing to hold and love them.

The human touch that a volunteer snuggler can give to a baby has so many benefits. Including increasing a baby's social, emotional, and physical development. It also supports physical growth and weight gain. Which is even more vital for the babies born premature. And if you've never held a baby before, let me just confirm that the benefits of this opportunity, for the volunteer, are unmatched.

Volunteering is easy. You just have to be 18 years or older, pass a thorough background check, and complete and entrance interview. There are also other volunteer opportunities at Silver State Pediatric. The facility helps children up to age 17, so there is need for volunteers to help with other age groups. Work can include sewing various care items, teaching classes like art, music and yoga, and reading books to children.

Those interested in volunteering can apply on the Silver State Pediatric website. Or you can stop by the facility, located at 2496 W. Charleston Blvd, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

- Wendy Rush, 96.3 KKLZ

The Cleveland Clinic Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas is participating in a new trial aiming to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms. The trial is happening for the next four years in Las Vegas. The Cleveland Clinic, a large health organization in Las Vegas, is currently looking for volunteers to participate in the trial.

It is estimated that about 49,000 Nevadans live with Alzheimer’s disease. And just under that number of people are caretakers for these patients. The Cleveland Clinic has been testing a drug called Lecanemeb on patients with Alzheimer's and have had positive results. The drug has been effective in treating those who currently live with the symptoms of Alzheimer's.

Now The Cleveland Clinic wants to take it a step further. They want to do a trial testing Lecanemeb on patients who don't yet show the signs of the disease. They are looking for people over the age of 55 who have a family history of Alzheimer’s. Especially if they have noticed some changes in themselves lately.

What they will do first is a blood test on any potential participant to see if they have a protein called amyloid in their blood. If they do, the next step is to get imaging of the participant's brain. This will tell whether the amyloid protein is being accumulated in the brain. If it is, the participant will begin the trial.

Lecanemeb has effectively removed the amyloid protein in the brain's of people already experiencing Alzheimer's symptoms. Now The Cleveland Clinic wants to see if the same drug can help people before they experience symptoms. In an interview with Fox 5 Vegas, Doctor Charles Bernick with the Cleveland Clinic said, “The idea is if we can get the amyloid out of the brain early before people have symptoms, we can actually impact the disease and possibly prevent or delay the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.”

To participate in the trial, click here. –Wendy Rush

Here are 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

This is defined as memory loss that disrupts everyday life. Including asking the same question multiple times, or forgetting important dates or events.

Includes trouble following a recipe someone has done several times or keeping track of their regular bills. Also taking much longer than usual to do things than before.

If someone is struggling to drive to a familiar location or suddenly forgets the rules to a favorite game, they may be experiencing the early signs of Alzheimer's.

These symptoms can look like losing track of where they are or what season it is. Or confusion about how someone got to where they are.

Vision issues are common for some with Alzheimer's. Depth perception, color differentiation, or difficulty with balance or reading are reported as effects of this.

Following a conversation has been reported as a struggle for those with Alzheimer's. Watch for things like stopping in the middle of a conversation, uncertain of how to proceed. Or someone repeated themselves or calling things by their wrong name.

People with the disease have often reported putting things where they don't normally go, and not knowing how to retrace steps to find missing items. Sometimes the disease causes so much confusion here that people can accuse others of stealing their items.

Sometimes those with Alzheimer's stop making good decisions. Including things like impulsive spending or getting lazier about personal hygiene.

Struggles in having conversations with others can sometimes lead someone to withdraw from engaging with other people.

Those with Alzheimer's can have big changes in personality, including confusion, suspicion, depression, fear or anxiety. Especially when out of their comfort zone.

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