New York City's Leaders In Alzheimer's Care, Education And Support Break Away From National Alzheimer's Association In Chicago To Return To Its Roots As An Independent, Stand-Alone Charity

NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- New York City's leading experts in Alzheimer's care, education and support announced today that the organization is separating from the National Alzheimer's Association, based in Chicago, to return to its roots as a stand-alone, independent charity.

Formerly known as the Alzheimer's Association, New York City Chapter, the nonprofit will continue providing compassionate care and life-saving support in NYC for the hundreds of thousands of families and individuals affected by Alzheimer's and related dementias as it has done for more than 30 years. The $10 million organization, which has 60 employees, will temporarily be known by its legal name, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, New York City, Inc., until it unveils its new name and logo in mid-February.

The disaffiliation comes after the Chicago-based National Alzheimer's Association made the decision to restructure the organization in a plan they called "Mission Forward," combining all of its local chapters into one single 501(c)(3) organization – in essence, a single charity. 

This significant structural change would have severely affected the New York City Chapter's ability to provide the same quality and level of service which has benefitted New Yorkers for more than 30 years.  Decisions about the vital programs would have been turned over to individuals hundreds of miles away in Chicago. Consolidating into one 501(c)(3) would have meant losing control over management and the dissolution of a dedicated and generous governing Board of Directors.

Operating as an independent charity will create myriad new economic and fundraising opportunities for the NYC organization. It will be able to keep 100% of every dollar raised to support all of the free programs and services it offers. (Under the National Association's current shared fundraising system, 40% of every unrestricted dollar raised in New York City went to Chicago.)

The independent NYC charity will also have the freedom to partner with major national and international corporations and funders and to initiate cause-marketing programs as well as giving funders the opportunity to brand materials, programs and events.

Lou-Ellen Barkan, President and CEO, said, "I want to assure New York City's Alzheimer's community and all of our clients, partners, supporters and friends that nothing will change except our name. There will be no disruption of service.  It will be business as usual at 360 Lexington Avenue. We will remain the premiere organization in New York City singularly focused on care and support for individuals with Alzheimer's and related dementias and their families."

Barkan added that New Yorkers will be able to rely on the same high quality service they have come to expect for 30 years: 

• Hundreds of free support groups, workshops and educational seminars for caregivers and people with the disease will continue.
• Satellite programs in Queens and Brooklyn will remain as busy as ever.
• The state-of-the-art Early Stage Center will be open for business.
• Outreach efforts to the African American, Latino, Orthodox Jewish, Russian, Chinese and LGBT communities 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, it will still offer a resource to protect New Yorkers with dementia who wander.
• The 24-hour Helpline will continue to be the best way for New Yorkers to access expert and caring advice 365 days a year. The new Helpline telephone # is 646-744-2900.

For more than 30 years, the Alzheimer's professionals who work at 360 Lexington Avenue have served hundreds of thousands of clients from New York City, including individuals with dementia and their families, and the professionals who provide their care.  The organization has been a consistent and strong presence in the NYC community.

Barkan concluded, "This organization is the nation's model for innovative, creative and leading-edge caregiving. We are dedicated to delivering human-centered care to the heart of our diverse New York communities. We help caregivers and people living with dementia have full and meaningful lives.  And, in the absence of effective therapies and a cure, the best therapy – the only therapy – is good care ... and this is where we excel."

The charity will unveil its name and logo in mid-February.  The phone number remains the same:  646-744-2900.  The website is www.alznyc.org.

SOURCE Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, New York City, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.alznyc.org