Brand new Memory Center opens in Bushwick

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Photo courtesy New York Memory Center

Councilmember Antonio Reynoso; Evelyn Cruz, staff for Congressional Liaison for Nydia Velazquez; Mercedes Gomez, program director for the Bushwick Center; Josephine Brown, New York Memory Center Program Director; Joseph Giamboi, NYMC Board Chairman; Caregiver Debbie Dilan; Deputy Borough President Diana Reyna; and Joan Koenig NY Memory Center Executive Director.

Bushwick is the new home of the New York Memory Center (NYMC), which aims to help local adults suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

For the last 35 years, NYMC has been pioneering evidence-based home and community solutions that positively affect the lives of senior citizens living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, as well as their caregivers.

This new center located at 1143-45 DeKalb Ave. helps NYMC grow into more diverse neighborhoods that have traditionally had little access to dementia day care services.

NYMC offers those living with Alzheimer’s a wide array of affordable services, arts programs, education and support to clients as well as their caregivers. The center collaborates with providers and researchers to raise awareness and expand treatment options for them.

The center’s programs are designed to help people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias remain active in their community and with their families. Through the use of art, music, computers and other resources, the NYMC’s programs, led by dementia professionals and volunteers, are designed to offer counseling and a respite to caregivers from the demands of caring for a loved one with dementia. Each day, the center’s vans pick up clients from their homes and return them at the end of the day.

Joe Giamboi, board chair for NYMC, said that he wants the caregivers in the community to know that they are not alone and there are people and programs available to help them.

During the grand opening ceremony on Oct. 21, Deputy Borough President Diana Reyna said that her grandmother developed dementia in her later years and she watched how her mother spent a lot of time as a caregiver. She gave NYMC a proclamation from her office for its opening and declaring the importance of the day.

Councilmember Antonio Reynoso, who was also at the ceremony, said that he is working on legislation allowing family members to care for relatives with Alzheimer’s and dementia without risking their income or employment.

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