Sources: The Hudson Reporter; Shore News Today
The Act Now Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease in New Jersey, has opened their third dementia center on the Hudson Hills Senior Living campus in North Bergen.
The new center is the first phase in a collaboration between Act Now and Hudson Hills to open a full-scale dementia village on the campus within the next five years. That village will allow Alzheimer’s patients to roam around freely without their family worrying, Act Now says. The planned space will also feature a grocery store, movie theater, and public library.
It will offer services for Alzheimer’s patients such as cognitive rehabilitation, music and art therapy, and caregiver training. Ten people will be staffed at the center full time, including interns, regular Act Now staff, and certified dementia professionals.
Murphy Vandervelde, who co-owns Hudson Hills, donated the space to Act Now at no charge. “When we bought this place a year ago, our focus was on dementia and Alzheimer’s care,” he said. The new location will also serve as Act Now’s headquarters.
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition that causes memory and behavioral problems. It is known as the most common form of dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. An estimated 5.7 million Americans have the disease, many of whom are 65 and older, the Association says. Symptoms usually worsen over time, and the condition generally proves fatal.
On June 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Act Now will hold its annual Brain Health and Wellness Fair at Jersey City’s Lincoln Park. Call (201) 721-6721 for more information.
In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Spread The Love Foundation funded the training of mental health first aiders at Mainland Regional High School in Linwood.
Congratulations to Terri Calvi, Deana Eckstrom, Liz Feld, Zachary Giovanetti, John Lombardelli, Erika Melhorn, Andrew Monroe, Christopher Mozitis, Jeff Nelson, Debbie Off, Christine Rivera, Eric Somershoe, and Bill Stahl on their completing the eight-hour training as MRHS Certified First Aid Providers.