content, and calm. In their eyes, you are
their peace and calm. Their happiness falls
on only you to make that happen."
In order for Telesca, Czarkowski and
others like them to thoughtfully fulfill their
role as caregivers and advocates for their
affected loved ones, while also maintaining
their own sanity and well-being, an outlet
such as Alzheimer’s New Jersey, is vital.
“When a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or
dementia is thrown at you, it is as if you
are walking on a beach on the most beautiful
day, and then brutally lifted against
your will and dropped into a dark, cold
forest – completely lost and not knowing
where to go,” adds Telesca. “Alzheimer’s
New Jersey throws you that rope with a
compass and drags you out of that dark
place.”
The organization’s support group is a cherished
tool for the caregiver. In these meetings,
members interact and share emotions with people
of all ages in similar situations, who are now
in the process of starting anew after their loved
one has passed.
“Those who have moved on, give us
hope that there still may be happy times
ahead, and that you may get back a part of
you that had to be given up to help the
one you love,” says Telesca. “When you
leave each meeting, regardless of what
stage you are dealing with, you feel uplifted,
hopeful and certainly more knowledgeable
than when you walked in. The
education provided is invaluable.”
In fact, Czarkowski, who also raves
about these support groups, encourages
the public to attend a session to truly gain
a sense of this dreadful disease that affects
millions upon millions of people. Those
that do will leave with something of value
that will help others.
“Go again and again. Talk to the caregivers,
ask how they are, or just say hello.
Experiencing the world of Alzheimer’s,
even just for one day, is a small, simple gesture
that has a huge impact on the caregiving
world,” said Czarkowski.
There are numerous other ways to support
efforts of the organization through
volunteer opportunities and events, particularly
the Alzheimer’s New Jersey upcoming
Walk to Fight Alzheimer’s that
takes place in both September and October.
This year, the organization added a fifth
walk in Morristown at the College of Saint
Elizabeth. The schedule is as follows:
• Southern Regional Walk,
Point Pleasant Beach,
Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018
• Skylands Regional Walk,
College of Saint Elizabeth,
Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018
• Central Regional Walk,
Princeton, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018
• Liberty State Park Regional Walk,
Jersey City, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018
• Northern Regional Walk,
Paramus, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018
All money raised through walks and
other local fundraisers support the programs
and services of Alzheimer’s New
Jersey, while also raising awareness about
the impact of Alzheimer’s in New Jersey.
“You are not alone,” states Zaentz. “We
understand that this disease can be overwhelming
for both the person with the
disease and the caregiver, and many people
don’t know what to do or where to turn.
We want to make sure the people of New
Jersey who are dealing with Alzheimer’s
know that there is help, assistance, and
support out there, and it starts with us –
Alzheimer’s New Jersey.”
For more information about
Alzheimer’s New Jersey, upcoming events
and how you can get involved, visit
www.alznj.org.
12 BC Health, Beauty & Fitness
/www.alznj.org