Central New York Chapter News & Action Center

The end of Alzheimer's begins with you.

Category Archives: Southern Tier

Alzheimer’s Association seeking support group facilitators in Chenango County

Emotional support is one of the necessary pillars of managing the stresses and issues that arise from Alzheimer’s caregiving. To serve the hundreds of families in Chenango County living with Alzheimer’s, the Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter is seeking a compassionate individual to facilitate a caregiver support group in the Norwich area.

Support groups are among the vital services that the Chapter provides to individuals, families and caregivers in the region free of charge. The groups are peer- or professionally-led, and all facilitators undergo training provided by the Chapter.

If you are interested in learning more about facilitating a support group in Chenango County, contact Jessie Cornell at Alzheimer’s Association, (607) 785-7852 x119.

SUPPORT GROUP ALERT: Weather forces cancelation of Binghamton support group

Tonight’s support group at the Boulevard United Methodist Church in Binghamton, which was slated to begin at 7 p.m., has been canceled. Much of Central New York is under a winter storm warning this evening, with snow and freezing rain on the docket.

The group will not be rescheduled for this month, however caregivers are encouraged to attend one of our upcoming local groups in Broome County or call our 24-hour Helpline at 1-800-272-3900:

  • March 20 (3rd Wednesday) at 4 p.m.: United Methodist Homes Hilltop Campus, 286 Deyo Hill Rd., Johnson City
  • March 28 (4th Thursday) at 10 a.m.: Johnson City Senior Center, 30 Brocton St.
  • April 1 (1st Monday) at 7 p.m.: Boulevard United Methodist Church, 113 Grand Blvd., Binghamton

Chapter convenes new Southern Tier support groups

The Chapter is pleased to announce two new support groups will meeting in the Binghamton area.

First, we’re pleased to welcome individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia and their caregivers to a monthly support group. The group meets monthly on the fourth Friday at 10 a.m. at the Chapter’s Southern Tier office, 401 Hayes Ave., Endicott.

“The purpose of early-stage support groups is to provide a safe and supportive environment of peers who are living in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia and their care partners,” said Catherine James, the Chapter’s chief executive officer.

Individuals seeking to take part in the group must be interviewed in advance by Alzheimer’s Association staff to determine whether they are appropriate to participate. Call (607) 785-7852 x119 to inquire.

We’re also happy to announce a new caregiver support group in Johnson City. The first meeting of this group will take place at 10 a.m. on January 24 at Johnson City Senior Center, 30 Brocton St. It will then meet on the fourth Thursday of each month at the same time and location.

Support groups are free and open to caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease. The groups are led by caregivers or former caregivers, who undergo thorough training from Alzheimer’s Association staff. For more information about support groups, contact the Alzheimer’s Association at (607) 785-7852.

THE FINAL FIVE: Walk To End Alzheimer’s Grand Champions named in five days

Our 2012 Walk To End Alzheimer’s events were amazing, inspiring events that united communities from the St. Lawrence Seaway to the Southern Tier in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. With just FIVE days to go before we officially end our Walk fundraising season, Central New York has raised $367,593 to fund services for families touched by Alzheimer’s and cutting-edge research.

The absolute last moment that a donation can impact the 2012 Walk season and our Grand Champion awards is 11:59 p.m. on October 31. We will announce our Grand Champions here the next day.

The standings for each Walk — Greater Watertown, Canton, Utica, Greater Binghamton, Greater Syracuse and Ithaca — were updated through this morning. See where the top teams stand. With 13 days left, there is plenty of time to jump to the top of the pack.

Our Grand Champion Fundraisers will be recognized on Champions Celebration Day, December 1 at the DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Syracuse.

Alzheimer’s Association Walk To End Alzheimer’s Presented by United Methodist Homes Raises $64,100+ (UPDATED 10/26)

Walkers at the beginning of the 2012 Walk To End Alzheimer’s in Binghamton.

More than 450 residents from the Southern Tier joined the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s Presented by United Methodist Homes and united in a movement to reclaim the future for millions. Participants at the event, held at Otsiningo Park in the town of Dickinson, raised $64,114 to fund Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. Today’s turnout was so large that the start of the Walk had to be pushed back 15 minutes to accommodate everyone at registration.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s participants did more than complete the three-mile course. They learned more about Alzheimer’s disease and the Association’s critical role in the fight against it, including the latest about Alzheimer’s research and current clinical trials, how they can become involved in advocacy efforts at home and in Washington, D.C. and the Association’s support programs and services. The event also included an emotional tribute to those who have experienced or are experiencing Alzheimer’s.

Walkers can continue to fundraise through November 1, when the Chapter will announce which individuals and teams are the 2012 Grand Champion Fundraisers. The Grand Champions will be honored at a ceremony on December 1.

The top fundraisers follow. Continue reading →

Ithaca Walk To End Alzheimer’s Raises More Than $25,800+ in First Year (UPDATED 10/26)

Participants head out on to the Walk route at Cass Park.

More than 200 people united in a movement to reclaim the future for millions at the first-ever Ithaca Walk To End Alzheimer’s. Participants at the event raised $25,837.

“The outpouring of support and emotion was overwhelming,” Catherine James, Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter Chief Executive Officer, said. “We didn’t just meet a fundraising goal today. We brought together individuals and families fighting this disease, families who have lost loved ones to Alzheimer’s and members of the corporate and healthcare communities who are affected by it. That is the most important part.”

Walk to End Alzheimer’s participants did more than complete the three-mile course. They learned more about Alzheimer’s disease and the Association’s critical role in the fight against it, including the latest about Alzheimer’s research and current clinical trials, how they can become involved in advocacy efforts at home and in Washington, D.C. and the Association’s support programs and services. The event also included an emotional tribute to those who have experienced or are experiencing Alzheimer’s.

Walkers can continue to fundraise through November 1, when the Chapter will announce which individuals and teams are the 2012 Grand Champion Fundraisers. The Grand Champions will be honored at a ceremony on December 1. Continue reading →

Did you notice something different about Sunday?

Did Sunday feel different? Did it feel just alittle more special than normal?

That’s because it was. Both Broome County and the State of New York proclaimed Sunday to be Walk To End Alzheimer’s Day.

Stephen Snitchler, one of our dedicated volunteers in the Binghamton area, requested that Broome County Executive Debra Preston and State Senator Tom Libous proclaim Sunday as such, in honor of our event at Otsiningo Park.