On November 12th, the Chapter hosted its 3rd Annual Caregiver Soirée to celebrate National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness and National Caregivers Month at Eugene, a large social club in Manhattan. 350 caregivers from all over the metropolitan area came together on a blustery Sunday afternoon and were entertained by Ron Sunshine and the Full Swing Band. To add to the festivities, dance lessons were offered by Lucky Skillen of You Should Be Dancing Studio.

In 2004 I conceived the idea of a Caregiver Soirée as an afternoon party for caregivers to simply be together in an atmosphere that encourages spontaneity and fun. The value of spontaneity and having fun is well researched and documented, reducing mind numbing stress and increasing a sense of wellbeing and optimism. This is undeniably a basic need for family caregivers who tend to be ‘on call 24/7.’

It was wonderful to see familiar faces and to meet new people who are now a part of our Chapter. My hope is that your memories of the Caregiver Soirée will be meaningful to each of you in the years ahead.

We are grateful to the Herman Goldman Foundation for their generous grant which helped support the 2006 Caregiver Soirée. Special thanks to photographer Barbara London, Taryn Lubin, Susan Sugarman and to the Soirée hosts, Eugenia Dorisca, Lorraine Ruggieri, Ken Onaitis, Mary Hume, Shellie Miller, Joan Vega, Elizabeth Santiago, Alison Reynoso, Rosemary Irving, Alissa Pizzutiello, Licet Gonzalez, Christopher Chin and Michael Doran.

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