Dear Friends,

As the days grow shorter and the temperature dips, we brace for the long winter ahead. But at the New York City Chapter, we won’t be hibernating. Winter will be a time of growth and expansion for us. I am proud that we have completed our move to larger, state-of-the-art facilities on the 4th floor of 360 Lexington Avenue. At a time when we anticipate an exponential rise in Alzheimer’s disease, this move gives us the capacity to dramatically expand our services to the community.

Our new Support Group Room is a comfortable, safe environment conducive to the important work of learning and sharing. Our social workers will now meet individuals and families in a private Care Consultation Room to discuss the sensitive issues that arise following a diagnosis of dementia. Our state-of-the-art Training Center offers modern technology enabling us to train caregivers, social workers, and professionals more effectively than ever before.

Building new partnerships is crucial to the job we do, and so our new Conference Room allows us to grow these important collaborations. In fact, on December 8th, the Chapter will convene our first Nursing Home Task Force meeting, bringing together nursing home Executives and Program Directors to explore ways that we can support these important institutions.

Year’s end is also a time to reflect on our past successes. We achieved another recordbreaking Memory Walk and – with Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. – we have co-sponsored the powerful art exhibit, Portraits & Promises in Alzheimer’s Disease, documenting an artist’s attempt to stay connected to the world after his Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. And finally, on October 4th, 400 people packed Rockefeller University’s auditorium at the Chapter’s 19th Annual Meeting to hear four of New York City’s most prominent scientists and clinicians report on the search for effective treatments and a cure.

Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate the Chapter’s Early Stage Forum (April 11, 2007).
And in the coming months, you will hear more about our Early Stage Programs including “MemoryWorks,” a new initiative dedicated to those in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.

I hope you are proud of all you have helped us accomplish and that you will stop by and visit our new office space – I’d like nothing more than to say hello and personally show you around. If you can’t get to the offices, make a “virtual visit” to our Web site or call our Helpline any day of the week, 24 hours a day 800-272-3900.

Please remember that 99% of our support comes from private sources – from people just like you. If you have not yet received your 2006 Year-End Letter from our Board Co-Chairs, Mark Zurack and Susan Kayser, please see the copy available online. And know that our expansion is a direct consequence of your continued support. We are now able to serve more people, more often – all at no cost to them.

As the curtain comes down on 2006, on behalf of everyone at the New York City Chapter, I wish you peace and joy throughout the holiday season.

— Lou-Ellen Barkan
President & CEO

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