Riverstone Senior Life Services Annual Appeal

There are only four kinds of people in the world… Those who have been caregivers.  Those who are currently caregivers.  Those who will be caregivers, and Those who will need a caregiver.

– Rosalyn Carter

Dear Friends of Riverstone

We’re reaching out to ask for your support for a deeply impactful and unique program— Riverstone’s Memory Center, a beacon of hope and vital lifeline for people suffering from memory loss due to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and their family caregivers.

Riverstone’s Memory Center is a specialized day program that provides services up to five days a week to individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of memory loss and supports their family caregivers.

The participants of the Memory Center are cherished mothers, fathers, siblings, wives, and husbands, many of whom have spent their lives working hard and proudly raising their families in this community. Now, they are confronted with a life-altering and devastating illness that deeply impacts both them and their loved ones.

According to a recent report from The Alzheimer’s Association, it is estimated that 6.9 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. As the US population aged 65 and older continues to grow, Alzheimer’s and dementia will regrettably only increase. With no medications currently available to significantly improve this illness, we believe it is essential that we collectively work to ensure programs like Riverstone’s Memory Center continue to thrive.

Riverstone’s Memory Center is a lifeline to so many and is uniquely positioned to address the needs of this community by providing a safe, supportive environment where individuals with memory loss can engage in meaningful activities that promote cognitive function, social interaction, and overall well-being. Participants are surrounded by a staff that truly cares and understands the importance of preserving dignity and purpose. Additionally, and equally as important, the Center offers crucial support for caregivers, helping family caregivers navigate the practical and emotional complexities of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Will you help us keep Riverstone Memory Center’s doors open by sending your special gift of $25, $50, or maybe even $100 to help our clients with Alzheimer’s or Dementia and their caregivers? Click HERE to donate now.

Imagine a former doctor, well into the mid-to-late stages of Alzheimer’s, expressing fulfillment after being included in a staff meeting, telling his wife upon being picked up, “It was a very productive day.” Or a retired nurse who finds pride in believing she is still caring for others. A literature professor who continued to contribute as a co-leader in a writing group, and a new participant who, despite not wanting to attend at first, now sees herself as a volunteer, helping staff however she can. This is what happens every day at Riverstone’s Memory Center—providing the highest respect for each individual and fostering a sense of self and purpose.

Those who count on Riverstone’s Memory Center need your help! Go to our website www.riverstonenyc.org  or click the link above to donate!

Despite the importance of such a program, for so many now and in the future, Riverstone is struggling to meet the community’s needs. Many of these types of programs, in New York City, have had to close because of inadequate funding, and the elimination of critical government funding has also affected our Memory Center—resulting in a significant financial gap for our program as well. Compounding these financial challenges, operational costs have risen sharply with our transportation expenses doubling in FY24.

It is for these reasons we ask you to join us in our annual appeal– to keep our Memory Center thriving. Your donation will help ensure that we continue to offer these essential services to those who need them most.  Please consider giving generously today. Together, we can help make a difference in the lives of individuals with memory loss and their families.

With gratitude,

Ilana Dunner, LCSW

Executive Director

Riverstone Senior Life Services