TOTOWA, N.J. – The Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter is helping North Jersey residents make brain health part of their wellness resolutions with the introduction of LiveWell, a new program focusing on living one’s best life with dementia. The online resource offers easy-to-use tools to create a personalized care plan for the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s. Live healthy components address challenging oneself, staying connected, creating health habits, personal expression, finding purpose and nutrition.
“As the leading voluntary not-for-profit health organization focused on Alzheimer’s care, support and research, the Alzheimer’s Association and our Greater New Jersey Chapter are committed to helping New Jersey residents navigate every phase of Alzheimer’s and dementia,” said Robyn Kohn, M.A., manager, programs, who noted vital round-the-clock, full-service resources are made possible due in part to funds raised by the chapter’s awareness and special events. These include the Longest Day and the Essex-Hudson-Union and Bergen-Passaic Walks to End Alzheimer’s®.
“LiveWell also speaks to general brain health, for people of all ages,” added Kohn. “The ‘10 Ways To Love Your Brain’ component was specifically designed, based on growing evidence that people can reduce their risk of cognitive decline, to guide people in adopting key positive lifestyle habits that directly support brain health.”
The chapter’s extensive online resources, as well as its 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900) available in over 200 languages, also are an extension of the chapter’s community-based educational and support programs scheduled throughout Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Essex, Hudson, Union, Hunterdon and Warren counties each month. Programs are designed to assist people with memory loss, caregivers, healthcare professionals and the general public at an array of host sites, such as public libraries, community centers and senior centers, houses of worship and senior living communities.
Recent and upcoming consumer education programs include Optimizing Physical and Cognitive Health, Legal and Financial Planning, Dementia Conversations: Driving, Doctor Visits and More, Living with Alzheimer’s: Early Stage Caregivers and Living with Alzheimer’s: Middle State Caregivers and Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior. The Greater New Jersey Chapter is continually seeking community and corporate partners to host these free programs for the general public and employees juggling their work with elder-care responsibilities.
“Our goal is to service the Greater New Jersey region’s 14 counties by bringing these invaluable resources to residents and the communities in which they live and places in which they work,” added Kohn, a leader in delivering programs, care and support services and advocacy initiatives for individuals, families and communities. “As a professional health educator, my goal is always to make a positive imprint and a difference to improve the lives of our caregivers and communities in whatever way possible.”
Furthermore, the Greater New Jersey Chapter provides the tools and resources to launch, host and sustain locally based Alzheimer’s and dementia support groups. Current groups extend from Bergen and Passaic counties to Middlesex and Somerset and Warren Counties.
In addition to providing “train the trainer” support-group facilitation advisory services, Kohn works with community partners to establish new groups, particularly in key urban settings such as Jersey City and Greater Hudson County. The chapter also can provide a translator, as required.
Formed in 1980, the Greater New Jersey Chapter has a regional office in Totowa, N.J., and is the local arm of the national nonprofit organization. The chapter, which also has a Marlton office, serves constituents in Central and Northern New Jersey who are affected by Alzheimer’s or other dementias. For information about local education and outreach programs or the 24/7 Helpline, call 973-534-1666 or visit www.alz.org/nj.
About Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter
Formed in 1980, the Greater New Jersey Chapter is the local arm of the national nonprofit organization with a regional office at 999 Riverview Drive in Totowa (Passaic County). The chapter serves constituents in Central and Northern New Jersey who are affected by Alzheimer’s or a related disorder. The Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter is not affiliated with any New Jersey-based Alzheimer’s-related nonprofit or for-profit entity that does not bear the official, registered trademarked Alzheimer’s Association name. For information about the chapter and the disease, visit alz.org/nj, or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.