Bergen County Becomes the First Dementia Friendly County in New Jersey

A dementia friendly community is informed, safe and respectful of individuals living with dementia, their families and caregivers and provides supportive options that foster quality of life.

On April 27, the Bergen County Division of Senior Services and Act Now Foundation officially launched the Bergen County Dementia Friendly Initiative with a kickoff event. The first step of the initiative was creating an Action Team that meets regularly to drive efforts toward building a dementia friendly community. By the day of the event, the team had grown to over 30 members from hospitals, legal and financial services, caregiver networks, community organizations, and local leaders.

The kickoff event featured several key speakers, including Kerry Sherer, Deputy Director of the Bergen County Division of Senior Services, and Kristine Allen, President and Co-Founder of Act Now Foundation, whose families have been directly affected by dementia. County Commissioners and Mayors encouraged attendees to support the initiative, and Dr. Manisha Parulekar, Division Chief for Geriatrics at Hackensack University Medical Center, spoke about the importance of early detection.

The Program Director for Dementia Friendly America, Maria Ek, welcomes Bergen County to the nationwide movement.

Later, Dottie Ogden, a caregiver for her late husband, shared her personal experience. She spoke about times when staff in doctor’s offices, restaurant servers, friends, family, and neighbors were impatient, highlighting how awareness of dementia can make a significant difference. She also emphasized the need for safe environments for people affected by dementia to socialize and volunteer programs that provide home assistance. Linda Lembo, another caregiver and Act Now Foundation client, described how unprepared she felt caring for her late husband despite being a former nurse, and she highlighted the importance of making community services accessible and known to all.

Our final speaker, another Act Now Foundation client diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment, shared his proactive approach to managing the disease. Despite his cognitive decline, he continues to run his business, take piano lessons, and actively engage in brain-stimulating activities. He expressed optimism for the future and credited his wife for her unwavering support.

Want to Be Part of the Action?

Email info@actnowfoundation.org with your proposal to discuss how you can support the Bergen County Dementia Friendly Initiative and help make the community more inclusive for people living with dementia.