As the New Year quickly approaches, we would like to take a quick moment and reflect on the outstanding year we've had at Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia (LIAD) Center. Thanks to your kindness, support and participation, we've been able to expand our horizons, help even more families, and make an even larger difference throughout our community. Let's take a quick trip down memory lane to review how 2019 was and will always be a special year.
New Name...Same Noble Mission
In 2019, we made a name change from the Long Island Alzheimer's Foundation (LIAF) to the Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center. We changed our name to more clearly reflect the wide range of programs and services that our center offers to families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia.
In addition to providing a community where families can find hope, comfort and critical services, the Long Island Alzheimer’s & Dementia Center can be your ‘one stop shop,’ with our social workers doing the work of the middle man to help you find practitioners and professionals, from home visit doctors to elder law and real estate attorneys to help you plan for the future.
Giving Caregivers More Support
We are excited to now offer four caregiver support groups at our center. In 2019, we added an Early-Stage Spousal Support Group for those caring for a partner or spouse in the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer's.
We've also forged a new partnership with Northwell Health, which allows us to offer monthly caregiver support groups at LIJ Valley Stream as well as at Huntington Hospital. By hosting additional support groups in off-site locations, we strengthen our ability to make an even bigger difference in the lives of families and caregivers impacted by dementia.
Self-Care for Caregivers
Research shows that caregivers are more likely to give their best when they are at their best — mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. To offer all forms of support, we developed a partnership with United We Om to offer a weekly, free caregiver yoga service during our normal day program hours. Through our yoga class, caregivers can tap into the 5,000-year-old practice that combines meditation, relaxation, physical postures, and breathing techniques to develop a deeper sense of self and holistic wellness.
Day Program Expansion
We are more than pleased to announce the success of our moderate-stage day program — the Happy Days Club — as well as our Spanish-Speaking Respite program. Each of these programs have more than doubled in participation. And as the participation in our programs increase, we will continue to offer more activities and services. For example, we now host a total of five monthly visits from three different therapy dogs.
Learn more about the Long Island Dementia Center's stage-specific dementia programs.
Engaging the Future
Although our core mission is to make a difference in the here and now, we always have one eye on the future. In doing so, we understand the value of educating and guiding the future health professionals who will assist our community. To best foster leadership and help educate tomorrow's health professionals, we partner with Adelphi University’s nursing school to offer a weekly program where students can get hands-on experience. Additionally, each year we offer internship opportunities to social work undergraduate students. Just this year we hosted 15 students!
Social Saturdays Is Growing!
The weekend is the time where everyone should relax and simply unwind. However, for many families impacted by dementia and Alzheimers, these enjoyable and peaceful moments may be difficult to come by. Because of this, we started our Social Saturdays program where caregivers and their diagnosed loved ones visit our center to engage in enjoyable, structured activities and spend quality time together.
Since we've launched the Saturday Day Program, the response has been extraordinary and has more than tripled in participation. This program also includes our newly implemented chorus program — The Sharp Notes — which hosted its first end-of-semester performance in December!
Learn more about our Social Saturdays.
Keeping the Memory Alive with Memorial Donations
Honorary gifts are a unique and special way to commemorate the memory of a loved one. In 2019, our cherished memorial donations have more than doubled. We are grateful for our donors who honor their loved ones by helping support our mission and enabling us to continue providing critically needed programs and services.
Learn more about our tax-deductible Honorary Gifts and In Memoriam Gifts.
Transportation
We understand how getting a loved one to and from our day programs can often conflict with work and other schedules. Because of this, we offer transportation for participants who attend our social adult day programs Monday through Saturday.
We offer safe, door-to-door, agency-owned bus transportation to select Long Island areas. We have two accessible vehicles that are put to extraordinary use. In 2019, our two vehicles served more than 55 day program participants.
Contact Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center
At the LIAD Center, we are proud to have another successful year. In fact, our day program revenue is up 14% in 2019. However, our true measure of success is the number of lives we touch and benefit. Because of your generosity, volunteering, and support, we're looking forward to an even more successful 2020.
The entire LIAD Center family would like to wish you as well as your family a safe and happy holiday season and a Happy New Year!