Wall Street's renowned ALAN PATRICOF shares his personal story on loss of his wife, SUSAN PATRICOF from ALZHEIMERS. CaringKind CEO, ELEONORA TORNATORE, updates on the support group's mission.

CaringKind, New York City’s leading expert on Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving hosts their 34th annual CaringKind Alzheimer’s walk on September 25h at the Coney Island Boardwalk and on October 23th at Central Park’s Naumburg Bandshell. The purpose of the Walk is to raise awareness around the importance of caregiving support and to raise funds for the myriad programs offered through CaringKind to support caregivers and their families. This year, the event honors prominent philanthropist, Susan Patricof, who passed in January of 2021 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease 12 years ago. The wife of renowned Alan Patricof, one of the founding fathers of venture capital, the two were described as an ‘indomitable pair’ and worked side by side on countless causes. Alan Patricof found solace and support in CaringKind, utilizing their programs and systems as a caregiver himself. CaringKind’s support groups are led by trained facilitators and provide caregivers the opportunity to discuss the many challenges of caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, with others who understand. Their goal is to provide a safe setting which promotes mutual support, both practical and emotional, throughout the course of the disease.  “I am honored that this year's Alzheimer's Walk by CaringKind, the Heart of Alzheimer's Caregiving, will be held in my wife, Susan's name. She loved New York City and was devoted to and supported many of its most important organizations. I know from personal experience the value of having support groups. A regular check-in with other caregivers is critical to a person's mental and emotional health. CaringKind does that better than anyone," said Alan Patricof. The 2022 Walk Chair is Dr. Mauricio Gonzalez. With over 1 million followers, Dr. Mauricio is a social media star offer critical health care advice. Dr. Mauricio is leveraging his community in support of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving. The Manhattan Walk will feature celebrities like NFL Star Leonard Marshall and television and movie star Richard Kind. Back by popular demand, the Blue Angels drumline will lead the walkers to the start and celebrate Walkers at the finish line. Attendees (both virtually and in person) are encouraged to share memories and photos of loved ones to be incorporated into the CaringKind Memory Wall, a physical manifestation of the love, remembrance, promise, and hope the Walk represents. As of August 9th, sponsors include Mount Sinai, Inspir Carnegie Hill, Pitta & Baione, LLP, The Brielle at Seaview, The Bristal, 80th Street Residence, LittmanKrooks, GrimaldiYeung, LLC, and Eisai.  CaringKind’s mission is to create, deliver, and promote comprehensive and compassionate care and support services for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. They achieve their mission by providing programs and services for individuals with dementia, their family, and professional caregivers, increasing public awareness, collaborating with research centers, and informing public policy through advocacy. In 2021, CaringKind answered 6,100 helpline calls, initiated 1,000 social work consultations, supported 31,500 people in their Wanderer’s Safety program, and hosted 83 different support groups facilitated by a trained leader both virtually and in person.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-aidan-byrne0/support