FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2004
Alzheimer's Association Long Island (AALI) Opens Family Care Center
Partners with The Litwin-Zucker Center for the Study of Memory Disorders
Ronkonkoma, N.Y. -- On Tuesday, October 19th, 2004, Alzheimer's Association Long Island will dedicate The Neuwirth Family Care Center to be housed within its Ronkonkoma office. Funding for this Center has been provided through the generosity of The Neuwirth Foundation Inc. Marvin Neuwirth, President of The Neuwirth Foundation, was a caregiver for his mother who suffered from Alzheimer's Disease. Mr. Neuwirth's goal for the Family Care Center is to "help as many families as possible who are impacted by this devastating disease." Mr. Neuwirth knows first hand the challenges caregivers face when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's Disease, and would like to help to lighten the burden for Long Island families. The Neuwirth Foundation also supports a unique program for Alzheimer's Disease patients and their caregivers in the Geriatric Psychiatry Division of the Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, Queens. Zucker Hillside Hospital is part of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System.
In addition to offering counseling, at the Neuwirth Family Care Center, Alzheimer Association Long Island is also partnering with the Litwin-Zucker Center for the study of Memory Disorders and Alzheimer's Disease to provide research opportunities to Long Island residents. The Litwin-Zucker Center was established to serve as a hub for research and related clinical services within the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and its surrounding communities. The creation of The Neuwirth Family Care Center will bring this research project to Nassau and Suffolk residents who are serviced by the Association.
Mary Ann Ragona, Executive Director/CEO for Alzheimer's Association Long Island hails the opening of this center, "As a valuable resource for the Association's clients. Over the past year the need for services and clinical testing has doubled and the Association is now poised to address all of these needs."
By the middle of this century, it is estimated that 14 million of today's baby boomers will have Alzheimer's disease. The annual cost of Alzheimer's disease will soar to at least $375 billion, overwhelming our health care system and bankrupting Medicare and Medicaid. Alzheimer's disease does not happen overnight, it begins to attack the brain of its potential victims 10 to 20 years before the first symptoms appear. To protect today's baby boomers from the ravage of Alzheimer's we have to find ways to stop this disease process now, while there is still time to prevent the damage. In addition, we must provide quality care and support for those facing the challenges of Alzheimer's disease.
The Long Island Chapter holds responsibility for providing programs and services for over 55,000 individuals and their caregivers who have been impacted by Alzheimer's disease. The Chapter offers Care & Consultation, Information & Referral, Education, a National Safe Return program, Support Groups, and advocates for the Long Island Alzheimer's Community on all levels of government.
The Media is invited to the dedication ceremonies, which will begin at noon and will include lunch. Reservations are required. For more information about the dedication ceremonies or the Alzheimer's Association Long Island, please contact Mary Ann Ragona, Executive Director/CEO at 1-800-272-3900.
Back
|
