The Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York will present a two-part workshop entitled Legal and Financial Planning for Alzheimer’s Disease at 10:30 a.m. on February 13 and 27 at 325 Columbia Street in Hudson.  The program, which is free and open to the public, is hosted by NY Connects and Columbia County Office for the Aging, and will be presented by Hudson native and Pierro Law Group, LLC founder Attorney Lou Pierro and Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York Director of Programs and Services Bill Hinrichs.

January 26, 2012
Atria, The Plains, Sunny Buchman, The Procaks
and Paul Wajda Recipients of ALZNEY Annual Awards
Top Cap Region Walk Fundraisers Also Honored

Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York presented its annual awards on Wednesday, January 25 at its “Purple Tie Affair” at Treviso in Albany.  An excellent crowd sported purple ties, purple coats, purple scarves—even a little purple hair—in consolidation with the awardees in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

The Association’s Philanthropy Award, Corporate was presented to Atria Senior Living.  With three facilities in the Association’s service 17-county service area, Atria provided over $9000 in sponsorship, consistently fields large teams at Walk, provide transportation for the annual Advocacy Day, and hold their own third party fundraisers, include a Wine Pull last autumn, to support the work of the Association.

Sunny Buchman received the Association’s Philanthropy Award, Individual.  Over the past several years, Mrs. Buchman has individually raised over $14000 for the Adirondack Region Walks to End Alzheimer’s and has secured more than $8000 in sponsorship.  Most remarkably, Mrs. Buchman worked with her husband throughout his battle with Alzheimer’s to produce a book for caregivers, which she completed after his passing last hear.  That book, Precious Window of Time, has been called “a manual of uplifting tips and techniques for not only maintaining, but strengthening a relationship with a loved one, and deepening that love. “  Mrs. Buchman self-published their work, selling out the first printing of 3000.  It is now available online and in local bookstores, and all proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York.

Drew and Linda Procak receive the Association’s Outstanding Volunteer Award for being “the go-to team” of volunteers throughout the year.  The Procaks have volunteered for the association for over four years and have worked at Walks, conferences and galas, as well as assisting with administrative tasks in the office.  The day before the 2011 Capital Region Walk to End Alzheimer’s the Procaks assembled hundreds of “promise flowers” over the course of nearly an entire day!

The Plains at Parish Homestead received the Association’s Community Advocate Award.  The Plains at Parish has been a consistent supporter since their opening several years ago, serving as a point of service location and holding monthly education programs for both residents and community members.  They hold their own mini-walk annually and have served as the location for the Leatherstocking Region Walk for two years (with the third coming this spring).  Their annual dance and ornament sales benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, and their staff members consistently turn out to support other fundraisers in the area benefiting the Association.

The Association’s highest award, the Lisa Goldberg Memorial Award, was presented to Paul Wajda.  Goldberg was a beloved dedicated longtime Association board member credited with helping to keep the mission alive during some very lean years, and the award is given to an individual who reflects her character and dedication to the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association.  Mr. Wajda joined the Association board in 2005, quickly taking on a leadership role as treasurer during a difficult fiscal situation.  He was a large contributor to the turn-around in that fiscal situation and went on to become board chair in 2010.  “He always led with kindness, understanding and compassion and civility,” said Association Executive Director David Gregoire in presenting the award.  “He knew the hard work the staff and volunteers faced and would give them encouragement and thanks. His devotion to the association is truly representative of Lisa and her legacy.”

The evening also provided an opportunity to recognize the top corporate and family teams and top individual fundraiser for the 2011 Capital Region Walk to End Alzheimer’s.  The top three corporate teams were:  1) Kingsway Community ; 2) SEFCU; and 3) The Empire Office of Realty USA.  Top family teams were: 1)Bill’s Walkers; 2) 4Dad4Pepe; and The Forget Me Nots.  Top individual fundraisers were: Bill Hinrichs, Mary Socha and Anne Frey.

December 5, 2011
New Support Group with Respite Care Offered in Albany County

Alzheimer’s Association on NENY has instituted a new caregiver support group on 1st and 3rd Mondays at 9:30 a.m. that provides respite (care and activities for the person with Alzheimer’s disease) while the caregivers are in their meeting.  This is new for Albany county and meets at the Association offices at 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405 in Albany.  Participants need to provide 24 hour notice that they will attend any group that provides respite.  The number to register for the new Albany county group is 518.867.4999 x303, or email Karen Britt at Karen.Britt@alz.org.  The Association has an existing group with respite in Saratoga county that meets at Halfmoon Senior Center on 3rd Thursdays (contact Senior Center at 518.371.3892), and two in Schenectady:  2nd Thursdays at noon at Schenectady County Office for the Aging (518.382.8481) and 4th Tuesdays at 2 p.m. at Schenectady Day Haven (518.346.1852).

Two other specialty groups meet regularly.  A joint support group for those in the early stage and their caregiver partners meets here at the Alzheimer’s Association offices on 1st and 3rd Fridays at 9:30.  That group meets together, caregivers and those diagnosed, then splits for a while into two groups.  Preregistration is required by calling or emailing Karen at the phone number or address above.  There is also a support group for adult children of parents who have a dementia diagnosis or a parent who is a caregiver, which meets 1st Tuesdays at the Eddy Cohoes Campus.

For a complete calendar of available support groups, click here. 

November 16, 2011
Alzheimer’s Association, Community Caregivers
and Library Partner to Offer Caregiver Info Series

Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York, Community Caregivers and Guilderland Public Library’s Consumer Health Information program are partnering to provide a series of informational programs for families and individuals caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.  Programs will be held the library at 1 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month from December 2011 to May 2012.  The program kicks off on December 1 with “Happy Holidays,” a one-hour discussion about methods for managing responsibilities and expectations during the busy season to create as positive an experience as possible.

Remaining programs in the series are:  Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease Basics in January, Improving Communications in February, Validation Theory and Therapeutic Fibbing in March, Managing Difficult Behaviors in April, and Dealing with Caregiver Stress in May.  Click here to open a PDF flyer with more information on the series.

All programs in this caregiver information series require a minimum number of attendees, so registration is required.  To register, call Jamie Mott at 518-867-4999 or email jamie.mott@alz.org.

November 11, 2011
Three New Faces at
Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York

Three new employees recently joined the staff at the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York.

Carol Bishop-Panetino of Altamont has joined the Association as development assistant.  She is responsible for records research and management.  She served the American Cancer Society for nine years, six as senior director of special events for Relay for Life®.

Holly Cargill-Cramer of Voorheesville is the Association’s new manager of communications and advocacy.  She is charged with public, media and government relations, as well as image marketing and strategic communication planning.  Cargill-Cramer has served as a strategic communication and social media management consultant for several years.  Her prior work includes serving as director of communications and public relations for SUNY Cobleskill for eight years and three years as director of communications for New York State Restaurant Association.

Theresa Setzer of Troy is the Association’s new director of development.  She is responsible for fundraising and donor development, as well as management and oversight of all special events.  Seltzer has almost 20 years of experience in not-for-profit donor and volunteer recruitment and management, and served most recently as development manager for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s upstate New York chapters.

November 9, 2011
15th Annual Caregiver Conference Draws Nearly 500

“This was the best year yet!” is just one of the dozens of glowing evaluations gathered from the packed house at Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York’s 15th Annual Caregiver Conference, held on Friday, November 4 at the Albany Marriott.  The day included 20 breakout sessions that garnered praise like, “Yes! Finally an educated yet common sense approach that caregivers can use!” and “Helpful to have specific, concrete solutions. Thank you.”

The conference was bookended by outstanding keynote and closing sessions featuring moving and informative speakers, including bestselling author Dr. David Dosa and Alzheimer’s Association National Board Member Dr. Steven Hume.  For photos and more information on this and next year’s conference, click here.

National Alzheimer’s Association News