Eleonora C. Tornatore-Mikesh Joins CaringKind as our new President and Chief Executive OfficerReturning to CaringKind is like coming home for Mrs. Tornatore-Mikesh. After graduating from college, she trained as a specialist in aging and dementia at CaringKind, formally known as the Alzheimer’s Association of New York City, working as a research associate for two years on a New York State Department of Health grant on culture change in nursing homes and assisted living residences. Mrs. Tornatore-Mikesh credits her knowledge and expertise to the training she received at CaringKind, “Without the [...]

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We stand in solidarity with the peaceful protests that call for change in communities of color that have continued to feel unseen and unheard. We all have a role to play in fighting a historically racist system of inequality. At CaringKind we believe all people, no matter their color, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation or social status are equal and are entitled to live in a just and fair society, free from the threat of violence. Communities of color are disproportionately affected by cognitive decline as well as other chronic health conditions as they age. We are addressing this issu [...]

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Meredith Wong, Manager of Connect2culture® Connect2culture partners with almost twenty cultural organizations in New York City whose education departments and broader missions include building community. In doing so, some have embraced diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) to build relationships in the disability communities. In performing and visual arts organizations and in now in some botanic gardens, DEIA offers a framework which they can use to serve visitors with different abilities. These efforts may be through their access programs. Connect2culture is one of many vo [...]

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Driving is a complicated task. Caregivers of persons with dementia often face the challenge of what do when that person is still driving.  Good drivers are alert, think clearly, and make good decisions. When a person with Alzheimer’s disease is not able to do these things, he or she should stop driving. However, he or she may not want to stop driving or have the insight to realize that there is a problem. A person with some memory loss may be able to drive safely sometimes. But he or she may not be able to react quickly when faced with a surprise on the road. Someone could get hurt or killed. [...]

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By Jed A. Levine, adapted from material by Teresa Theophano, Assistant Director of Care Management Services, SAGE In June we celebrated Pride Month and the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall, the start of the modern Gay Liberation Movement. Over the past 50 years we’ve learned a lot about the special concerns of the estimated three million LGBT caregivers in the U.S. caring for a person with dementia.  And, we know these challenges remain year-round. LGBT caregivers often face unique challenges when caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia. It is important that we understand these issues a [...]

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