PRESS RELEASES

Northeast Senior Health Announces $50,000 Challenge Grant 

Funds will support new program for Alzheimer's disease patients in North Andover and surrounding communities

North Andover, Mass. - Beverly non-profit organization Northeast Senior Health has been awarded a $50,000 challenge grant from an anonymous Boston-based foundation. The challenge grant was awarded for Northeast Senior Health's Spectrum North Andover Campaign, a capital campaign launched this summer to raise $319,000 in private contributions to support the renovation, build out, furniture, and equipment for the new Spectrum facility in North Andover.

Northeast Senior Health is developing a Spectrum Adult Day Health Program in North Andover-a day program specializing in the care of people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other memory disorders. Based on the 20-year successful Spectrum model in Beverly, Spectrum North Andover will be a cost-effective alternative to long-term care facility placement and will enhance the quality of life for Alzheimer's patients, as well as for their families and caregivers.

Scheduled to open in Spring 2011, this new Spectrum site will provide specialized services, including skilled nursing care, clinical social work support, therapeutic activities, assistance with activities of daily living, medication management, nutrition and rehabilitation services. The North Andover location is ideal because it will serve Greater Lawrence and surrounding communities that do not have Alzheimer's disease-specific Adult Day Health programs. These cities and towns include Andover, North Andover, Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Middleton, North Reading and Topsfield.

"We deeply appreciate this challenge grant for our new Spectrum program in North Andover and the specialized care we provide for clients with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other memory disorders," said Darcey Adams, Director of Community Programs for Northeast Senior Health. "We are excited about this challenge grant and hope it will inspire the giving of other foundations, corporations, and individuals over the next few months as we find creative ways to leverage additional support for Spectrum North Andover."

The anonymous foundation has given Northeast Senior Health until December 15, 2010 to raise funds to meet their challenge grant. Support from foundations and individuals to the Spectrum North Andover Campaign will help the organization to continue to meet the healthcare needs of the rapidly growing senior population in Essex County. Essex County is the 14th fastest aging county in the U.S., and there is an estimated 16,416 seniors who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which is projected to rise to 20,152 individuals by 2020. To make a contribution toward this campaign, please contact Darcey Adams at 978-921-1697 ext. 226 or dladams@nhs-healthlink.org.

Northeast Senior Health
Northeast Senior Health (NSH) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of seniors and their families on the North Shore and lower Merrimack Valley. NSH provides a range of coordinated, convenient, and patient-centered services, including post-acute care, geriatric outpatient treatment, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, community-based programs, adult day programs for Alzheimer's patients, and geriatric physician practices.

Spectrum Adult Day Health Program
Located in Beverly, Mass., Spectrum Adult Day Health Program is a member of Northeast Senior Health, Northeast Health System's complete continuum of care for seniors on the North Shore. Spectrum is the only day program on the North Shore to be certified by the Alzheimer's Association of Massachusetts. Six days a week at Spectrum Beverly, a multidisciplinary team of sensitive, caring and specially trained professionals provides assistance to individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other memory disorders, in addition to vital support and resources to caregivers. To learn more or to arrange a tour, call 978-921-5020.