The Borough of Fort Lee will be sponsoring for the first time, a series of educational presentations from October 18-22, 2015 to inform the community about the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and to offer advice and support to individuals and caregivers who have been impacted by the disease.

All events are free and open to the public.

Alzheimer’s disease currently impacts over 5.1 million Americans and 150,000 New Jersey residents. Family members deliver 80% of care provided at home. To best support our families, friends, and neighbors who have Alzheimer’s disease and their family caregivers, Fort Lee is taking the lead as a community, by offering programs and activities to educate the public about the challenges presented by dementia, and help develop sensitivity and effective skills.  During the week, educational seminars will be offered at various venues throughout Fort Lee .

The Borough of Fort Lee is sponsoring the week-long event. Home Helpers, a well known home health agency in Fort Lee is coordinating the event and The Fort Lee Chamber of Commerce and CareOne Management are sponsors.

“As America’s population ages, the people diagnosed with dementia grow. We know that so many residents in Fort Lee are taking care of a family member with Alzheimer’s /dementia says Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich. This first time Fort Lee Alzheimer’s Awareness and Support Week is our way to support and inform caregivers and raise public awareness. Together we can make Fort Lee a supportive place for people affected by Alzheimer’s and give family members the information, guidance and tools to help them best manage this challenge. The Borough of Fort Lee is proud to sponsor this important event and I appreciate and support Home Helpers, a Fort Lee based home health agency, coordinator of the week long event for being a valuable support to our community.”

“Our goal is to make Fort Lee a dementia friendly community says Vivian Green Korner, event coordinator. Towards this end we have brought together the Fort Lee Board of Health, Paramus Police, First and EMS Departments,  The Fort Lee Community Center, Fort Lee Senior Center, Fort Lee Public Library , The Alzheimer’s Association, Hearthstone Alzheimer’s Care, The Kaplen JCC on the Palisades the Alzheimer’s Association, and Home Helpers of Fort Lee. All organizations have taken an active role to help families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia”.

Highlight of the week’s events include:

10/18   “Is It Dementia or Normal Aging” “ presented by Kelly Flister, Executive Director of Hearthstone Alzheimer’s Care. At Fort Lee Senior Center 319 Main Street, Fort Lee 2:00-4:00pm

10/19   “ Legal and Financial Considerations” presented by Jim Parks, Parks Wealth Management and Brian Keanne, attorney with Hartman & Winnicki. At Fort Lee Community Center, 1355 Inwood Terrace, Fort Lee 7:00-9:oopm.

10/20    “ Caregiver’s Journey” presented by Vivian Green Korner, dementia care specialist. At Fort Lee Community Center, 1355 Inwood Terrace, Fort Lee 7:00-9:00pm