(March 2, 2016 – New York, NY) – New York City's leading experts in Alzheimer's and dementia care for the past three decades, today, opened its doors under a new brand and a new name:

CaringKind

The Heart of Alzheimer’s Caregiving

CaringKind, located at 360 Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, is New York City’s leading charity singularly focused on caregiving support for individuals and families living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. With more than 30 years of experience developing and implementing innovative, creative and leading-edge caregiving initiatives, CaringKind provides an unprecedented platform of programs helping New York’s entire Alzheimer’s community to care with confidence.

Formerly known as the Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter, CaringKind broke away from the national organization in December 2015 to return to its roots as a stand-alone, independent charity.

Lou-Ellen Barkan, President and CEO of CaringKind, said, “At CaringKind, we see people, not a disease. We understand that one caregiver’s experience is not like any other. And we help individuals and families affected by a dementia diagnosis find the right path to best meet their unique needs. From that first call to our 24-hour Helpline, our trained professionals offer the guidance caregivers need, when they need it, to make each day a little bit brighter.

“At CaringKind, we know there is no one-size-fits-all approach to dementia caregiving. We understand what it takes to be an Alzheimer’s caregiver. It takes a special kind of person to rise to the challenge. It takes the courageous kind. The listening kind. The loving kind. It takes the caring kind,” Barkan added.

While CaringKind has a new name and a new look, New Yorkers will be able to rely on the same high-quality and free service they have come to expect for more than 30 years:

  • The 24-hour Helpline will remain the best way for New Yorkers to access expert and caring advice 365 days a year. The new Helpline telephone # is 646-744-2900.

  • Hundreds of free supports groups, workshops and educational seminars for caregivers and people with the disease will continue.

  • Dementia care training programs for home health aides and other healthcare professionals will proceed uninterrupted.

  • Partnerships with nursing homes, major medical centers, world renowned researchers and the entire Alzheimer’s community in New York City will grow stronger than ever.

  • Thanks to the charity’s intimate and strong relationship with the NYPD, MedicAlert NYC will continue to provide resources to protect New Yorkers with dementia who wander.

  • The state-of-the-art Early Stage Center is open for business.

  • Satellite programs in Queens and Brooklyn will remain as busy as ever.

  • Outreach efforts to the African-American, Latino, Orthodox Jewish, Russian, Chinese and LGBT communities will continue.

Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. It is estimated that more than half a million New Yorkers are either living with dementia or are taking care of someone who does. Last year alone, the direct cost to society of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s was estimated at $226 billion. By 2050, these costs could rise to as high as $1.1 trillion.

Barkan noted, "In the absence of a cure and effective therapies, good care is the best medicine we have. At CaringKind it is our responsibility to create the kind of innovative and compassionate support services that our caregivers deserve and our families need.”

To get help, visit the CaringKind website at caringkindnyc.org or call 646-744-2900 for help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year where guidance and support is available, free of charge, from a knowledgeable and trained Helpline specialist.

Barkan offered a special note of thanks to Raphael Bemporad and his entire team at BBMG, a brand and innovation consultancy, for their extraordinary work in leading the effort that culminated in the new CaringKind brand.

About CaringKind: CaringKind is New York City’s leading expert on Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving. With over 30 years of experience, we work directly with our community partners to develop the information, tools and training to support individuals and families affected by dementia.

We offer a 24-hour Helpline run by professional staff, individual and family counseling sessions with licensed social workers; a vast network of support groups; education seminars and training programs; early stage services and a wanderer’s safety program. We believe in the power of caregiving and seek a world where everyone dealing with dementia has the support they need, when they need it.

CaringKind is formerly known as the Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter.

Media Contact:

Colleen Roche/Kim Esp
212-575-4545
LAK Public Relations, Inc.
croche@lakpr.com or kesp@lakpr.com