Tag Archives: dementia

“Music and Memories” Gala To Benefit Alzheimer’s New Jersey In April

Posted on by Chris Rosica

New Jersey Nonprofit to Celebrate the Power of Music and

Raise Funds and Awareness in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s New Jersey announces its Gala, an annual event to benefit Alzheimer’s and raise awareness of the disease that impacts over 500,000 individuals and their family caregivers throughout New Jersey. This year’s theme is “Music and Memories” and the night will consist of dinner, dancing, a silent auction, and spectacular musical entertainment.

The Gala will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at The Grove, 691 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ. Cocktail attire is preferred.

Alzheimer’s New Jersey is a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing support, assistance and information to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and their caregivers in New Jersey. The organization plays a crucial role in delivering programs and services to New Jersey families facing Alzheimer’s disease as 100% of the funds raised support local residents.

To celebrate the power of music, Alzheimer’s New Jersey is honored to have performances throughout the night from local musicians, singers and songwriters including Giselle Bellas of Jersey City, Brian Kirk and the Jirks of Red Bank and the Concordia Youth Chorale based in Central Jersey.

“Our Annual Gala is one of our biggest events of the year and it is an amazing gathering of the local community to support a cause and raise awareness of a disease that impacts so many right here in our own state,” said Ken Zaentz, President and CEO, Alzheimer’s New Jersey. “This year, we are honored to be entertained by performers from throughout our state to truly bring our event to life and represent New Jersey.”

Every year at the Gala, Alzheimer’s New Jersey honors individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to advancing the mission of Alzheimer’s New Jersey through the Circle of Honor Award. This year, the organization will be recognizing Volunteer of the Year, Ramsey resident, Stephen Donnelly as well as presenting two Corporate Philanthropy Awards to Chelsea Senior Living and Sunrise Senior Living. All recipients have gone above and beyond in supporting Alzheimer’s New Jersey in their mission to support families facing Alzheimer’s disease in New Jersey.

For more information, to order tickets, or make a contribution, please visit www.alznj.org.

About Alzheimer’s New Jersey

Since 1985, Alzheimer’s New Jersey has provided care and support for New Jersey families and has helped advance research for a cure. As Alzheimer’s New Jersey (formerly known as Alzheimer’s Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter), their commitment to local programs and services is stronger than ever. Their mission is to provide support, assistance and information to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, their families and care partners; and to support research into the causes, prevention, treatment and cure of Alzheimer’s disease. Visit alznj.org or call 888-280-6055 for more information.

 

Alzheimer’s New Jersey® Partners with NJ State Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

Posted on by Chris Rosica

Nonprofit Organization Helps New Jersey Police Understand the Disease

Alzheimer’s New Jersey®, formerly known as the Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter, has partnered with the New Jersey Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training program to help raise awareness among law enforcement officers about the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in our state and to assist police officers in responding safely and effectively to those with Alzheimer’s disease who they may encounter as part of their community policing responsibilities.

New Jersey CIT is a county based collaboration of law enforcement, mental health and other healthcare professionals committed to serving the needs of community members experiencing mental health crises or addiction; those with cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, or those with developmental or intellectual disabilities; as well as their family members.  Alzheimer’s New Jersey presents a portion of the 40-hour CIT training providing law enforcement officers with a comprehensive understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, including effective communication techniques, strategies for responding to specific situations that officers may encounter and the availability of community resources.

“Alzheimer’s disease is a huge public health issue in New Jersey with over 500,000 residents who have the disease or are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or other dementias,”  said Ken Zaentz, President and CEO of Alzheimer’s New Jersey.   “We are proud to have this opportunity to be part of the New Jersey Crisis Intervention Team training program and, most importantly, want to acknowledge the CIT program and the many officers who have graduated, for recognizing the impact of Alzheimer’s disease in our state and for the commitment to take action in law enforcement situations that account for the unique needs of this vulnerable population; which come about due to changes in memory, cognition and behavior.”

According to Retired Chief of Police, Edward C. Dobleman, New Jersey State Director of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT-NJ), the CIT program gives police officers and other professionals the knowledge and tools they need when responding to someone with cognitive issues, such as Alzheimer’s disease.  They strive to do that in a manner that avoids or minimizes any arrests, injuries or other dangerous situations.

“We are grateful to Alzheimer’s New Jersey for becoming involved in our training program and helping our police officers and other mental health professionals learn about the disease and practical ways to respond,” said Dobleman.  “As law enforcement officers we are dedicated to helping the people we serve and the best way to do that is to understand their situation and what they are going through.”

For further information, visit: www.alznj.org or call 973-586-4300.

 

 

New Survey Reveals Prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease in New Jersey 68 Percent of Residents Know Someone Who Has or Had Alzeheimer’s or Dementia

Posted on by Chris Rosica

A new survey of New Jersey adults, conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind on behalf of Alzheimer’s New Jersey, reveals that nearly two-thirds – or more than 68 percent – of New Jersey residents know someone who has or had Alzheimer’s or dementia.  Alzheimer’s New Jersey (formerly the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support, assistance and information to families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia and to help advance research for a cure.  Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, changes behaviors and, eventually, the ability to carry out everyday tasks.

The survey revealed that Alzheimer’s strikes close to home. For those respondents who knew someone who has or had the disease, 71 percent were family members. Of that group, 40 percent were immediate family and 31 percent were other relatives. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease is emotionally and physically exhausting, and family and friends often provide most of the care over a period of many years.

Alzheimer’s is currently ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. When asked which of the following diseases they were most concerned about developing – Alzheimer’s, cancer or heart disease – New Jersey residents rank Alzheimer’s second after cancer but ahead of heart disease. A total of 48 percent of respondents cited cancer as their number one concern; 27 percent cited Alzheimer’s; and 20 percent selected heart disease. Those over the age of 60, however, ranked their concern of developing Alzheimer’s as number one ahead of both cancer and heart disease.  A total of 38 percent cited Alzheimer’s; 34 percent selected cancer and 18 percent cited heart disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older adults. Until the disease can be effectively treated or prevented, the number of people affected will increase significantly if current population trends continue – and New Jersey’s population is most certainly aging.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of New Jersey’s population that is over age 65 increased from 13.5 percent in 2010 to 14.7 percent in 2014, resulting in over 1.5 million New Jersey residents over the age of 65.

Given this, and the fact that age is the greatest risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s, President and CEO of Alzheimer’s New Jersey, Ken Zaentz, says that his organization wants to send a clear message to every resident in the state. “We are here to help. Our wide range of community programs and services offer hands-on support for families that are impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and include our Respite Care and Wellness Program, Family Support Groups, Community Education Programs and Helpline.”

 

About Alzheimer’s New Jersey

Since 1985, Alzheimer’s New Jersey has provided care and support for New Jersey families and has helped advance research for a cure. As Alzheimer’s New Jersey (formerly known as Alzheimer’s Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter), their commitment to local programs and services is stronger than ever. Their mission is to provide support, assistance and information to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, their families and care partners; and to support research into the causes, prevention, treatment and cure of Alzheimer’s disease. Visit alznj.org or call 888-280-6055 for more information.

About the Survey

The Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind telephone survey was conducted in May, 2016 with 811 New Jersey adults, and was funded by Alzheimer’s New Jersey.  Utilizing best practices in survey methodology, PublicMind undertakes research nationally and throughout New Jersey.