Grant to Family Services of Westchester will help educate potential patients and caregivers about the signs of dementia and services available to those with Alzheimer’s and related illnesses

PORT CHESTER, NY– Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland), the Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, today announced a $902,064 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant to Family Services of Westchester, Inc. (FSW) to educate patients who have or are at risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ARD) and their caregivers about the signs of dementia as well as available services and treatments.

“As scientists research a cure for Alzheimer’s and dementia, we must provide greater education and resources that can improve the quality of life for older Americans and their caregivers,” said Lowey. “Through this grant, Family Services of Westchester, Inc. will provide crucial dementia services to families in Westchester County, and as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue to help ensure local organizations have what they need to support seniors in the Lower Hudson Valley.”

“This will really help us progress in dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias for the people at highest risk and their caregivers and loved ones,” said Marjorie Leffler, VP of Administration at Family Services of Westchester, Inc.

Through its Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Initiative, FSW seeks to improve access to dementia support services and improve Westchester County’s dementia capability. FSW is partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association, the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services, Fordham University, and the Burke Rehabilitation Center Memory Evaluation and Treatment Service.

One-fifth (20%) of Westchester County’s population is 60 or older, and 23 percent of people age 65 and older in Westchester are living alone.

Congresswoman Lowey, as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, has fought to increase investments in medical research. As a member of the Labor, Health, and Human Services Subcommittee, Lowey has encouraged greater funding to the National Institutes of Health, which will spend $566 million on Alzheimer’s initiatives in 2014.

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