Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling Announces Partnership with Alzheimer's Association

Published on February 20, 2020

Morris County Surrogate Heather J. Darling is proud to announce a partnership between the Morris County Surrogate's Office and the Alzheimer's Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter to raise public awareness about the disease and to provide a wealth of service information to residents and their families who personally are dealing with Alzheimer's.

(JPG, 505KB) (l/r) Phil Echevarria of the Alzheimer's Association, Rajkumari Gaur and Deborah Scott of the Surrogate's Office, Surrogate Heather Darling, and Cheryl Ricci-Francione and Robyn Kohn of the Alzheimer's Association

A key goal of the partnership is to ensure that the population served by the Alzheimer Association and its service partners are fully aware of planning, resources, services, and support organizations available to those residents and their families and loved ones so they can be best prepared for the battle ahead until a cure is found.

At last year's Alzheimer's Walk in Roxbury, I was very moved by the number of people in attendance wearing colors to signify the way Alzheimer's disease had impacted their lives and especially by the keynote speaker -- someone of my age -- who was diagnosed early as a result of an understanding of family history,'' said Surrogate Darling.

"The need to raise awareness about this disease, until a cure is found, is critical and I welcome the opportunity to partner with the Alzheimer's Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter, in this mission.

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In 2019, the New Jersey Senate passed a resolution (NJ SCR-164) declaring Alzheimer's disease a public health crisis. Alzheimer's is a degenerative brain disease that is the most common form of dementia. It is most often thought of as impacting older individuals but research shows that it impacts some people much younger than previously known.

The results of this disease include progressive memory loss, impaired thinking, disorientation and, in its advanced stages, results in significant changes in cognitive and physical function.

The disease also impact mood, personality and behavior of the individual, making it difficult for family members and caregivers who are trying to ease the strain and comfort individuals impacted by the disease.

Because of the severe effects of Alzheimer's disease on persons afflicted with it and their loved ones and caregivers, early awareness is critical so that advance planning can be undertaken to deal with the care of the affected individuals as the disease progresses.