We strive each day to fulfill our mission to improve the quality of life for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia, and their caregivers. We appreciate your kind words.
I have been a member of the LIAD support group for spouses for 6 months. I eagerly await Monday mornings to give me my weekly fix of help and encouragement. The weight of the responsibility, as well as the loneliness of the caregiver can only be felt by others in similar situations. The leader helps us verbalize feelings that may be painful, but are cathartic.
- Jerry, Caregiver
Just wanted to let you know how valuable I have found our weekly meetings to be. From someone who considers himself a private person to be willing to participate in a group setting speaks volumes about the value of the group. Sharing life events with other participants has been enlightening for me and has allowed me to better cope with the daily travails of life knowing I’m not going through this in isolation. Thanks to you and your staff for all you have done.
- Alan, Caregiver
Although I am relatively new to the caregiver support group I have found it to be extremely beneficial. The shared experiences of other members help me to deal with “caretaking” problems that I face. In addition, the caring and supportive environment that pervades the group is very uplifting to all of us members who are dealing with this frightening and often isolating situation. I am grateful for the group!
- Anne, Caregiver
The Caregiver Support group that is run by LI Alzheimers & Dementia Center is a lifeline to me. At the meetings I am surrounded by others who understand what I am experiencing with compassion and understanding. I am offered suggestions to help me deal with the nuances of daily living with a spouse with Alzheimers. – Dorothy, Caregiver
The Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia center is a wonderful source of information, support, and hope. The caregiver support groups - and the counselors leading them - have really helped me to be informed (which takes at least a little of the fear out of this extremely difficult experience), as well as much more balanced as a caregiver. Having a loved one with dementia is such a hard road for so many reasons. Without the support of the counselors and the other caregivers in group, I would have had a much, much harder time coping with the practicalities, the stress, and the emotions. I have been engaged with LIAD for years now and although some of the counselors and interns have rotated, every single one has been professional, supportive, and caring. New York has the second highest statewide rate of Alzheimer’s in the country, and county rates on LI are higher than 70% counties across the country*. Adding in other sources of dementia pushes those numbers even higher. LIAD counseling and caregiver support is a critical resource for our population, and it needs to remain funded.
- Caregiver "A" in Nassau County
My uncle was a bus driver for LIAD for several years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, my grandmother attended programs at the center as well. The programs provided her with social activities, and the staff were kind and understanding. Both my uncle and grandmother passed away early during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was a large loss for our family. I decided to become a regular supporter of LIAD in their memory, and in recognition of the great work LIAD does for those suffering from Alzheimers and other forms of dementia. With the drastic increases in fuel and other operating costs, it makes me so happy to know that the center can continue to provide transportation services to their day programs for seniors all over the area.
- Alicia
Our dear mother, Philomena Petrolito was afflicted with Alzheimer's for over ten years. One particular night, the sundowning was very difficult and I called the Alzheimer's Association helpline and learned about additional resources including The Alzheimer's and Dementia Center. This place felt like home. Our mom loved listening to the music at the center and often sang the words to the songs. Although her ability to speak was hampered by the disease, she remembered most words from various songs. What a beautiful gift!!!! One Valentine's Day party at the center, I came as my mom's date. I will cherish this date forever!!!!
Our dear mom passed in June 2022. I now volunteer at this center once weekly. I volunteer as I truly believe this program makes such a difference. It provided my mom with beautiful moments and it gave me hope at a very challenging time in our lives. Our mom is an angel, and I have been profoundly blessed by my mom, as well as this program. Thank you for the beautiful memories, moments and hope: What a priceless treasure!!!!
Thank you,
- Valerie Petrolito-Giresi
LIAD Transportation has been a lifesaver for our family. It’s enabled us to care for another immediate family member who has been going through cancer treatment. Without LIAD transportation, our dad would not have been able to attend LIAD and would miss out on the social interaction and services they provide.
- Loretta, Caregiver
The bus service is crucial to me as a caregiver being able to work and not worry about transportation. All of the bus drivers and attendants are wonderful and I know my mom is safe and looked after in her transport to her day program. Thanks for making this possible.
-Caregiver, Elaine
Tuesday's and Thursday's become a very important part of our day. Bob enjoys the sandwiches each time consisting of tuna, egg or chicken salad. From what he tells me, when it is served, if help is needed, there is some one there to be of help. He looks forward to the snacks. I, as Bob's Caregiver, can feel comfortable knowing that his lunch is being enjoyed by him each Tuesday and Thursday. Our family appreciates all the Center does to make our lives a little easier.
- Gladys, Caregiver
The lunch program is the cherry on top for us. When my dad is at LIAD it is the only respite we get. The lunch program makes such a huge difference because my dad isn’t a big eater (never has been) and him being able to have lunch in a social setting with the crew at LIAD is extremely beneficial to him. While we juggle our schedules to take care of dad, knowing that he has already been fed a delicious meal on the days he goes to LIAD gives us such peace of mind.
- Deanna, Caregiver
Hi my name is Barbara an I am a caregiver for Linda Algozer. Linda use to attend the Alzheimer Center two days a week before COVID-19 arrived an caused havoc. Everyday Linda asks when she can go back to the center where she enjoyed socializing, dancing, singing an meeting new people - she was making great progress due to her interaction with the other patients an now there is some regression hopefully we can get back open so she can continue her progress.
- Thank You
Barbara Capobianco
I am writing this note to vigorously support the reopening of the Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center. My husband had been attending the center for two years and was eager to attend and participate. Since the closing he has regressed due to the lack of stimulation and social interactions.The center has been outstanding in trying to keep our connections with them thru their virtual programing. They should be commended. Please approve their request to reopen while observing all the needed guidelines.
-Thank you,
Norma Drossman
To whom it may concern:
My mother began attending the Long Island Alzheimer’s & Dementia Center in 2019. She is generally a shy, reluctant participant in outside activity. However, she always looks forward to her Monday visits at LIAD and remembers to point out the center when we drive past, ANY time we drive past (she lives a few blocks away).
Covid has affected us all in many ways. It has been devastating for those who have lost family members and friends, those who have had to close their businesses, those experiencing depression and, those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
My mother misses her weekly routine. Lack of stimulation due to Covid has caused her to deteriorate; she’s become more forgetful, confused and stubborn. The center has been incredible with keeping in touch digitally, on the phone, and with the virtual programs they provide, but our schedule and her capabilities don’t always match.
Please consider allowing in-person opening for those who benefit from this vital center. My mom frequently asks when “my program” is going to begin again. She looks forward to the brain games and interacting with others...and when I ask her what happened during the day - it’s great brain exercise!
Please feel free to reach out should you have any questions. Thank you for your time and consideration with this matter.
- Peggy Meininger
To Whom It May concern:
My husband Bob has attended the social day program at LIADC from January 2019 until it was closed in March 2020. He started two days a week and quickly went to three days a week. I saw an immediate change in his attitude and mood after he began attending. I also saw that he was better even on the days between the days he attended. He looked forward to the bus ride and the warm, welcome and stimulating time he spent at the center.
The stay at home mandate during this corona virus pandemic has made the value of the social day program at LIADC very clear to me. I have seen a significant deterioration in my husband’s wellbeing since he has been unable to attend the program at LIADC. If you ask him how he is doing, more often than not, he will say he is bored. He spends a lot of time just sitting in his chair looking out the window.
We have been very disciplined and say at home almost all the time. One of the few place we go is to services at our Temple on most Friday nights. I feel safe there because they have strict protocols, always wearing a mask, sitting social distant and not mingling with our congregants. We are so careful and do not use prayer books but use printed service on paper instead to be safe.
I hope and pray that LIAD can be approved to begin the day program very soon in a way to be safe and healthy and also stimulated. My husband really needs the stimulation and support the program provides.
Thank you,
- Carol Markman