Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia affect over 600,000 New Jersey residents including caregivers. According to an Alzheimer’s New Jersey® survey conducted by Farleigh Dickson University PublicMind, 68% of New Jersey residents said they know someone who has been impacted by the disease.

New Jersey families facing Alzheimer’s disease need a place to turn when they need information and are overwhelmed by stress, isolation and heartache – and that place is Alzheimer’s New Jersey®.

But we can’t do it alone.

Here are some ways that you can make a difference during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and throughout the year.

Learn About Alzheimer’s Disease

Educating yourself is an important step in starting the conversation about Alzheimer’s disease and can empower you and your loved ones to make important decisions about your health. When you know the facts about Alzheimer’s disease you can better advocate for yourself, your family, friends and the community at large.

Learning more about Alzheimer’s should include:

  • Recognizing the difference between dementia and normal age-related changes that can affect memory and thinking skills.
  • Being able to identify common warning signs of dementia.
  • Knowing when cognitive concerns in yourself or a loved one should be discussed with your doctor.
  • Reducing your risk of developing dementia by maintaining a nutritious diet, physical activity, social engagement, sleep, and mentally stimulating pursuits.
  • Learning where you can turn to for help and assistance.

You can start by attending an Alzheimer’s New Jersey Education Program and referring to our comprehensive Digital Reference Guide.  For more information, call our Helpline at 888-280-6055.

Share Your Story

Are you one of the #The68Percent of New Jersey residents who know someone who has or had Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia? How has Alzheimer’s changed your life – your family relationships – your friendships? How has the disease impacted your physical, emotional and financial health? Storytelling is a powerful way to enact change, so we invite you to share your story. Just email us at development@alznj.org

You can also share your story and photos directly to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter using #The68Percent.

Advocate 

Advocates are the local community soldiers who play a key role in raising public awareness about the needs of those in our state facing the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. As an advocate you can help by:

  • Sharing your caregiving experience with the media as needed.
  • Spreading the word through your social media about Alzheimer’s New Jersey programs and services and events
  • Contacting and talking with state and federal policy makers as needed.
  • Sign Up Here

Donate

Your donation, large and small, makes a huge difference in the New Jersey fight against Alzheimer’s disease. There are so many ways to give including monthly giving, memorial and tribute giving, supporting our fundraising events such as Walk to Fight Alzheimer’s®, making a gift through your estate plan and having your gifts matched through your employer.

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is a perfect time to celebrate the life of a loved one or recognize a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary by creating a personal tribute page that you can share with family and friends. Learn more HERE

Alzheimer’s New Jersey is a local nonprofit so you can be confident that 100% of your charitable gifts support New Jersey families through Alzheimer’s New Jersey programs and services.

For more information on ways to give call our office at 973-586-4300 or email development@alznj.org or simply Donate.