<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span>Many parents of young children often dread the notorious “witching hour”, the period of increased fussiness and crankiness that usually lasts an hour or two before bedtime. Now, caregivers of elderly relatives are having to combat “sundowning syndrome”, a set of symptoms characterized by increased confusion, agitation, and restlessness that typically occur in the late afternoon or early evening in elderly individuals, most notably those with dementia<span style="color: rgb(0, 29, 53);">. </span><a href="http://www.assistedlivingct.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Assisted Living Home Care Services</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 29, 53);">, </span>a family-owned home care agency in Cheshire, Westport and Putnam, is helping family caregivers and its caregiving employees cope with the condition by offering insight into symptoms, potential triggers and tangible tips on creating a peaceful night for all involved.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“Originally called ‘senile nocturnal delirium’ by doctors and scientists back in 1941, ‘sundowning syndrome’ is just now becoming a popular phenomenon in modern families as their elderly loved ones live longer and more are being diagnosed with dementia,” said Mario D’Aquila, MBA and chief operating officer at Assisted Living Home Care Services. “It’s important to note that ‘sundowning syndrome’ is not a disease, but rather a collection of symptoms that can occur when the daylight fades and thus, can be managed with proper non-medical caregiving methods.”</span></p><p>According to the Mayo Clinic, ‘sundowning syndrome’ is more common in individuals with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, which afflicts an estimated 80,000 seniors in Connecticut. While the exact cause isn't fully understood, potential factors include changes in the brain's internal clock, fatigue, low light, and disruptions to familiar routines. Additionally, pain, illness, or infections can also worsen sundowning symptoms. If not identified and managed properly, the condition can severely impact sleep and overall well-being in both the elderly person and specific caregiver.</p><p>D'Aquila warns that if a senior loved one begins to exhibit disruptive behaviors, such as wandering, pacing, rocking in their chairs or becoming more anxious, fearful, irritable or confused around sunset, they are most likely experiencing ‘sundowning syndrome.’ Likewise, some individuals may have visual or auditory hallucinations, become suspicious or may have difficulty falling and staying asleep, further exacerbating symptoms.&nbsp;</p><p>Assisted Living Home Care Services regularly trains its 700+ caregiving staff on tips to reduce ‘sundowning syndrome’ within their clients, including:</p><p>Maintaining a regular schedule - creating predictable routines for meals, activities, and bedtime can help reduce sundowning, while limiting daytime napping, caffeine, sugar and alcohol.</p><p>Ensuring adequate light and exposure to daylight - spending time outdoors or near windows during the day can help regulate the body's internal clock and reduce evening confusion, while supporting nighttime sleepiness. Shutting the shades in one’s house at the start of sunset can also alleviate the intensity of the condition.</p><p>Creating a calming environment - using calming music, like relaxing sounds of nature, familiar objects, and reducing background noise in the evening can help reduce anxiety and agitation. Turning on a night light and turning off TVs can also be of great benefit.</p><p>Providing gentle reassurance - reassuring the person that they are safe and loved can help reduce fear and agitation. If the senior is in a strange or unfamiliar setting, bring familiar items, such as photographs and favorite objects.</p><p>Consulting with a healthcare professional - if sundowning becomes a significant problem, consulting with a doctor or dementia specialist can help determine the best course of action since a urinary tract infection or sleep apnea could be exacerbating the condition, especially if it comes on quickly<span style="color: rgb(8, 8, 8);">.</span></p><p>Lastly, some research suggests that a low dose of melatonin may help ease sundowning. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that induces sleepiness. It can help when taken alone or in combination with exposure to bright light during the day.</p><p>“Sundowning is a complex issue, and its severity and management can vary from person to </p><p>person,” concludes D’Aquila.&nbsp;“It's important to work with a healthcare professional and properly trained caregivers to find strategies that are most effective for the senior individual.”</p><p>For more information on the various forms of dementia, which can lead to an elderly person suffering from ‘sundowning syndrome’, visit: <a href="https://www.assistedlivingct.com/resources/various-types-of-dementia/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.assistedlivingct.com/resources/various-types-of-dementia/</a></p>

<p><strong>CT Manufacturing Company on A Mission to Help Local Military Heroes and National First Responders </strong></p><p>For the past two years, <a href="http://www.pactww.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Packaging and Crating Technologies, LLC (PACT®)</a>, a family-owned manufacturing company in Watertown, CT, has raised close to $10,000 for America’s servicemen and women. Now, the corrugated crate and lithium battery packaging producer is looking to assist locally in its own backyard by hosting the 3rd Annual Military Heroes Charity Program to benefit both the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T) and the American Legion of Thomaston Post 22. Throughout the month of May, which commemorates both Memorial Day and National Military Appreciation Month, PACT will donate 1% of sales proceeds from its entire line of moving containers and shipping products to the T2T non-profit organization, which helps military families secure mortgage-free homes, as well as make a $1,000 contribution to the American Legion of Thomaston Post 22, which ensures proper health and other essential benefits for current service members and veterans. </p><p>“Memorial Day is always met with eager anticipation of warmer weather and fun summer vacations, however, for thousands of military families, May is a time of sadness and solemnity as they remember their fallen loved ones,” said Rodger Mort, chief operating officer at PACT. “The United States military is a key customer that uses our packaging containers as all branches of service personnel are moved to different posts, and we are always grateful to help such humble heroes in any way possible.”</p><p>The <a href="https://t2t.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tunnels to Towers Foundation</a> was founded to recognize the valiant life of NYC firefighter Stephen Gerard Siller. Siller was assigned to Brooklyn’s Squad 1 and had just finished his shift when he got word over his scanner of a plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center. He drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it had already been closed for security purposes. Determined to carry out his duty, he strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he gave up his life while saving others. Stephen had everything to live for; a great wife, five wonderful children, a devoted extended family, and friends.</p><p>To date, the Foundation has provided over 600 mortgage-free homes for families, including specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Over 500,000 participants have supported the organization’s 80+ national walk, run and climb fundraisers. </p><p>The American Legion is the largest&nbsp;U.S. veterans’ organization&nbsp;with more than 1.6 million members who strengthen the nation through programs, services and advocacy for those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, youth and communities. Today, the organization is committed to destigmatizing mental health support by offering peer-to-peer resources in the fight to end veteran suicide. The local American Legion of Thomaston Post 22 is the leading <span style="color: rgb(32, 33, 34);">advocate for healthcare and earned benefits for area veterans, servicemembers and their families.</span></p>

<p><strong><em>-Strong, sustainable products protect Human Lives and the Environment from Toxic Lithium Battery Fires-</em></strong></p><p>Every year on April 22nd, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the popular environmental movement that began in 1970. Since then, it has become a global event with over a billion people participating in environmental activities across nearly 200 countries who share the common mission of reducing waste, smog and water pollution that threaten the health of our planet. Connecticut manufacturer Packaging and Crating Technologies, LLC (PACT) a leader in the green, sustainable packaging industry for the past 30 years, is doing its part by taking organic materials and creating several patented products designed to eliminate one of the most environmentally-threatening offenders of our modern time: lithium battery fires. Specifically, within the past couple of years, the family-owned company has developed the eco-friendly <a href="http://www.pactthermoshield.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PACT Thermo ShieldTM</a>, TR SleeveTM, TR EnvelopeTM and the PACT Lion-X TM Fire Extinguisher to save human lives and the planet.</p><p>“As evidenced by the daily news headlines, lithium-battery explosions in all of our current hand-held devices and electronic equipment are becoming a severe threat to the planet,” said Rodger Mort, chief operating officer at PACT, LLC. “Lithium battery fires generate extreme heat and usually have to smolder out on their own after hours or even days, all while releasing toxic gas and black smoke into the atmosphere which compromises our air and water quality and contributes to climate change.”</p><p>Mort notes that every day, there are multiple electronic fires across the world whether it’s a cargo ship carrying a fleet of EVs across the ocean, an electric bus combusting while its being charged in a city docking station, or even a consumer charging their electric bike battery which is left unattended in their apartment. In fact, <span style="color: rgb(16, 16, 16);">recent data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shows that&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/tag/lithium-ion-batteries/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(16, 16, 16);">lithium battery</a><span style="color: rgb(16, 16, 16);">&nbsp;fires on U.S. flights have risen 388% since 2015, now occurring nearly twice a week.&nbsp;</span></p><p>What makes lithium batteries dangerous is that they can become damaged very easily, typically when they are being transported, stored or charged. The damage or defect then causes thermal runaway, a <span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">phenomenon in which the lithium-ion cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state. This can result in an explosion of smoke, fire and shooting shrapnel, while creating an extremely dangerous domino effect as the fire spreads to and ignites other lithium battery cells.</span></p><p>It was in answer to safety measures requested by its commercial, industrial and military clients that PACT fabricatedPACT® Thermo ShieldTM , <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">a </span>lightweight, fire-suppressant wrap made from 100% recycled paper and coated with a proprietary organic ink that controls thermal runaway in electronics. When a lithium battery goes into thermal runaway and begins to burn, the special ink releases a moisture barrier that creates a vapor cloud to immediately cool the internal contents of the package, while limiting oxygen around the package to prevent lethal gases from forming. To date, it is the only product that has passed the proposed testing standards of the SAE International <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">for safety in shipping lithium batteries via land, sea and air. </span></p><p>Taking its invention one step further, PACT then created TR SleeveTM, in which its natural PACT Thermo ShieldTM paper is wrapped around each lithium battery cell to mitigate thermal runaway between them, thus serving as a crucial heat and flame barrier. TR SleeveTM has become an international safety precaution for the charging of E-mobility batteries used in the ever-prevalent EVs, E-buses, E-scooters and E-bikes as <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">BS Technics, a thermal interface company in Korea is using TR Sleeve in lithium battery production for its multi-national customers like as Samsung, Hyundai, and LG Electronics, among other prominent brands.</span></p><p>Similarly, TR EnvelopeTM, also made from PACT Thermo ShieldTM, safely transports and stores smaller devices such as cell phones, pagers, smartwatches and other items that use rechargeable A-D batteries.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Mort explains that any of the PACT Thermo ShieldTM paper-based solutions can be re-used multiple times and safely discarded and recycled in landfills when maximum usage is achieved. </span></p><p>Lastly, Mort discusses the company’s newest green invention – the PACT Lion-X TM Fire Extinguisher, an organic water-based solution that quenches lithium battery fires upwards of 1,600 degrees within seconds, while instantly transforming black smoke, thus preventing hydrogen, methane and chlorine gases from being produced and released into the environment. </p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Additionally, when the fire is completely extinguished, PACT Lion-XTM only leaves behind a fine powder residue, which continues to cool surfaces and is easily washed off with a wet cloth or paper towel. </span>Further, unlike other chemical-based solutions, PACT Lion-X<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> TM</span> is designed to be </p><p>used without personal protective equipment (PPE) and is safe to wash and flush into sewers, streams and other waterways. </p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“We are very proud that our products save </span>first responders, transportation professionals, waste management engineers and the general public, all while protecting the environment,” adds Mort. “We know that our green and sustainable safety solutions will be a game-changer in preserving the planet now and into the future.”</p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41);">For more information about PACT’s environmental-enhancing product line, please visit: </span><a href="http://www.pactthermoshield.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.pactthermoshield.com</a>.</p>

<p><strong style="color: rgb(59, 56, 56);"><em>-</em></strong><strong style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><em> </em></strong><strong><em>INGRID NARVAEZ AND TASHIMA WATSON </em></strong><strong style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><em>OF </em></strong><strong style="color: rgb(59, 56, 56);"><em>Assisted Living Services, Inc. Among 13 Honorees</em></strong><strong style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><em> </em></strong><strong style="color: rgb(59, 56, 56);"><em>-</em></strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">Two female home healthcare professionals employed at&nbsp;</span><a href="https://url.emailprotection.link/?blGrx8TcLDzAiQ76Zvr4bmjaxfHL0Jj2kIMho8_T9oG2pNB95ioxpohswlxiZRBJbtMxBliewh72xqI7-sJCZVg~~" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Assisted Living Services, Inc.</a><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">&nbsp;(ALS) in Cheshire, Westport and Putnam, CT., today earned the prestigious Healthcare Warrior Award presented by the Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce. Ingrid Narvaez and Tashima Watson both of Waterbury were among 13 honorees from the healthcare field, that included doctors, nurses, homecare aides, educators and support staff from various area health agencies, as well as fire and police departments. The 5th Annual Ceremony was held on April 9, 2025&nbsp;at the Vue in Hamden with host Kathryn Hauser of </span><em style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">WTNH-NewsChannel, 8</em><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"> and more than 100 attendees.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“We are thrilled that our family company was represented on both the live-in caregiver and home healthcare staff categories,” said Mario D’Aquila, MBA and chief operating officer. “Ingrid and Tashima’s unwavering dedication to the entire eldercare industry and their above-and-beyond care to our specific senior clients deserve to be recognized every day.” </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">The Hamden mayor and fire and police chiefs were among the more than 100 people who attended the breakfast. The honorees were nominated by their peers and their stories were read to the audience. Each Healthcare Warrior received a framed certificate and heart shaped award.</span></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>CT Manufacturer Leads the Charge at Annual International Battery Show in Orlando, FL</strong></p><p class="ql-align-center"><em>-Packaging and Crating Technologies Presented Lithium Battery Safety Solutions to Thousands of Industry Peers</em>–</p><p><span style="color: rgb(10, 16, 18);">A state of emergency was declared in Northern California following a fire at the world’s</span> largest<span style="color: rgb(10, 16, 18);"> lithium battery storage plant earlier this year. </span><a href="http://www.pactww.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Packaging And Crating Technologies</a> (PACT®), a Connecticut manufacturer of fire-suppressant paper wrap is helping to ensure that this never happens again. The innovative family-owned business recently presented its life-saving product line that prevents and extinguishes lithium battery fires at the International Battery Seminar &amp; Exhibit<span style="color: rgb(10, 16, 18);"> in Orlando, Florida. Specifically, PACT COO Rodger Mort conducted an informational session for </span>thousands of consumers, automotive, military, grid, and industrial professionals. </p><p>“Our booth was swamped with hundreds of visitors each day who work within the battery and EV tech communities,” said Rodger Mort, chief operating officer at PACT, LLC. “We addressed the hot topics of how to safely charge, transport and recycle lithium batteries that are used to power a variety of E-mobility equipment and handheld devices.” </p><p>Mort explains that the company’s signature product- PACT Thermo ShieldTM was invented as a thermal management system for shipping and storing items containing lithium batteries. It consists of three thin, lightweight, paper materials coated with proprietary ink. When a lithium battery goes into thermal runaway and burns, the special ink releases a moisture barrier that creates a vapor cloud to immediately cool the internal contents of the package to prevent a domino fireball effect, while limiting oxygen around the package to prevent the battery temperature from escalating to 1,500° Fahrenheit, at which point, lethal gases form.</p><p>From the same technology, PACT also developed a 100% paper-based solution for lithium-ion battery packs, called TR SleeveTM that shuts down thermal runaway on the cellular level, as well as TR EnvelopeTM, which safely transports and stores smaller devices such as cell phones, pagers, smartwatches and rechargeable A-D batteries, items becoming a hazard for commercial airlines during flight.</p><p>Lastly, Mort discussed the company’s newest invention – the PACT Lion-X TM Fire Extinguisher, which is still undergoing testing requirements but is targeted to be available by end of the year. The pre-mixed, water-based solution quenches lithium battery fires upwards of 1,600 degrees within seconds, while eliminating the release of toxic gases into the environment and is the first of its kind on a global scale.</p><p>“The PACT team was very well-received at this venue as lithium battery safety is a serious global issue,” adds Mort. “As new electronic devices continue to enter the market, we are </p><p>committed to educating industry peers, business owners and consumers on the proper way to handle, charge and recycle these items.”</p><p>As the longest-running annual battery industry event in the world, the International Battery Seminar &amp; Exhibit has always been the preferred venue to announce significant developments, new products, and showcase the most advanced battery technology. In fact, Sony chose the International Battery Seminar as the platform to first announce its lithium-ion technology in 1991, an accomplishment that has since gone on to change the world.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41);">For more information about PACT Thermo Shield</span> TM<span style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41);">, visit: </span><a href="http://www.pactthermoshield.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.pactthermoshield.com</a><span style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41);">.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p><strong><em>-Assisted Living Services Announces Annual Platinum Caregiver of the Year 2024 Awardee-</em></strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In a time where employers often find it difficult to get employees to show up for work, Ghanian born Nana</span><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Darko Amoateng actually lives at work each day! As a live-in caregiver for </span><a href="http://www.assistedlivingct.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Assisted Living Services, Inc</a>., a family-owned home care agency with offices in Cheshire, Westport and Putnam, CT, Amoateng has been named the Ultimate Platinum Caregiver of the Year for 2024 for delivering exceptional senior care to his elderly client – retired police officer 87-year-old Joseph Glowacki of West Hartford. In an official ceremony on February 25, 2025. Amoateng was presented with <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">a $5,000 check, crystal award and framed certificate. </span></p><p>“We are thrilled to recognize Nana’s outstanding senior support and unwavering dedication to his client,” said Mario D’Aquila, MBA, chief operating officer of Assisted Living Services. “Nana was chosen for the annual accolade because he truly exemplifies the spirit of going beyond the call of duty in his position and becoming an extended member of his client’s family.” </p><p>In fact, Glowacki himself admits that his life has improved beyond his expectations with Amoateng in it in: “Not only does Nana anticipate my moods and needs, but he helps me engage </p><p>in activities that had been lost to me. We play cards, go for walks, watch sports and make non- monetary wagers to add excitement. What’s more, Nana walks about 1 ½ miles to the grocery store because I prefer Whole Foods and neither I nor Nana, own a car. He is like another son to me and brother and uncle to our entire family. In fact, he’s included in our most recent family portrait hanging on the wall!”</p><p>D’Aquila notes that Amoateng was a recipient of the monthly Platinum Caregiver Award in July 2023 and again in September 2024. He has provided live-in care to Glowacki since August, 2022. When not on assignment, Amoateng lives in Bronx, NY. </p><p>D'Aquila explains that the Platinum Caregiver Award program was created <span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">to acknowledge caregivers’ contributions in a meaningful way, while simultaneously creating positive change within the caregiving industry. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Since its inception in March 2019, Assisted Living Services</span><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"> has </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">awarded more than $360,000 to more than 200+ staff members.</span><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"> Each month, five caregivers earn a $1,000 monetary bonus accompanied by a beautiful crystal statue and certificate of merit </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">in response to an employee and client survey administered by </span><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">Homecare Pulse, a third-party company that measures customer satisfaction. </span>Caregivers can also be recognized by their clients through 5-Star Google reviews, glowing written letters, or rave reviews via emails and phone calls. Additionally, Assisted Living Services office staff can nominate caregivers for excellent work performance such as covering extra shifts and perfect attendance.</p><p>Joesph’s son, Douglas Glowacki adds, "my father would not be alive today without Nana, who ensures that he eats well, stays healthy, is mobile and enjoys life like he never did in the past. My Dad's life is a million times better with Nana in it!”</p><p>“We are so proud to have Nana as part of the Assisted Living Services family and look forward to many more years of service to our seniors,” concludes D’Aquila. “Caregiving is not only a profession, but also a personal commitment to lovingly care for someone as their own family would - day in and day out.” </p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">For nearly 30 years, Assisted Living Services has led the charge to raise the standards for quality of care across the board in the highly competitive homecare industry. Incentives and genuine appreciation for staff members are just a few of the reasons&nbsp;that the company has a high employee retention rate with some employees still working for the agency nearly three decades later. Managers also receive incentives if quality assurance benchmarks are achieved.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">Assisted Living Services employs caregivers across the state, all of whom are insured, bonded, and supervised. Newly hired employees undergo a National Criminal Background Check, eVerify, as well as receive comprehensive training.</span></p>