Did You Forget to Send in Your 2007 Membership Dues?

Only 43 people out of the 1,283 New Jersey stroke survivors and 380 friends and health care workers woh receive our newsletter and participate in our programs sent in membership dues. We thank those who did very much.

Current services that NJSAC provides are listed on the back of this newsletter. The only way NJSAC can continue to provide these services is with your support. Send in your membership dues of $30, using the form provided below.

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2007 Fund Raiser Raffle

Please purchase the enclosed raffle tickets or sell them. The tickets are $2.00 each or the book of six for $10. If you want more books call 973-450-4114.

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Kessler Offers Free Health Screening

CHECK BACK SOON!

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Kessler's Aphasia Group Has Moved

CHECK BACK SOON!

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New Program

CHECK BACK SOON!

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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Fund

In the Sept-Oct 2005 newsletter the following information about the TBI Fund was provided. Readers who applied to the fund reported success in obtaining monetary help.

The TBI Fund allows New Jersey residents who have survived an acquired brain injury (stroke) to obtain the services and support they need to live in the community. The fund is used when insurance, personal resources, and/or public programs are unavailable to meet the needs of the applicant.

The fund has a cap of $15,000 per year and $100,000 lifetime per individual. New Jersey residents can apply, providing the following criteria are met:
* New Jersey residency for at least 90 days.
*Medical documentation of acquired brain injury
*Liquid assets of less than $100,000

To apply for assistance from the TBI Fun, call 1-888-285-3036. Ask to speak with a staff person about obtaining an application.

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Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC)

JACC is a state funded program that provides an array of in home services to enable an individual, at risk of placement in a nursing facility and who meets income and resource requirements, to remain in his or her community home. By providing a uniquely designed package of support for the individual, JACC delays or prevents placement in a nursing facility.

Who is eligible for JACC services?

A JACC eligible individual is a New Jersey resident who:
*Is 60 years of age or older
*Resides in a home that he/she owns or rents, or lives in an unlicensed home of a relative
*Has no alternate means available to secure needed services and/or support
*Has been determined to be clinically eligible for nursing facility level of care
*Is a United States citizen or Qualified Alien
*Has a countable monthly income that is no more than 365% fo the Federal Poverty Level ($3,106 monthly in 2007)
*Has countable resources at or below $40,000 for an individual or $60,000 for a couple
*Is financially ineligible for Medicaid or Medicaid waiver services

To apply call NJ EASE at 1-877-222-3737 the Easy Access Single Entry point for senior service information. NJ EASE workers will assist callers and refer individuals to the proper application point.

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NJSAC Featured in Stroke Connection Magazine

Stroke Connection Magazine, a national publication of the American Stroke Association is writing an article on the theme "above and beyond stroke support". They will be highlighting the work of NJSAC, American Stroke Foundation and the Palm Springs Stroke Recovery Center.

In 1996, I was working at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation as the nurse/educator for stroke survivors. I met with stroke survivors who were in acute rehabilitation, and their families, educating them about stroke and giving them hope for recovery. After their inpatient rehabilitation, stroke survivors complete thier rehabilitation as outpatients and often are told they have reached their plateau, I prepared them for this by explaining that what plateau really means is that their insurance will no longer pay for therapy. I got calls from desperate stroke survivors looking for more and affordable therapy. I received calls from caregivers because their stroke survivor was depressed and regressing, losing the gains made during the acute rehabilitation, as they vegetated in front of the television. At that time I had no answers for them, until I was asked to speak at the only stroke activity center at that time, The Palm Springs Stroke Activity Center in California, which is now known as the Palm Springs Stroke Recovery Center. I returned with the dream of opening the second stroke activity center in the United States, here in New Jersey. With much work and luck, New Jersey Stroke Activity Center, Inc. (NJSAC) was established in 1998 as a non-profit corporation.

When I called the state of New Jersey for stroke statistics, I was told that 14,500 strokes ocur in New Jersey residents each year, but there was no record of stroke survivors, how many or where they are. NJSAC has become the central registry of New Jersey stroke survivors and has over 1250 members registered.

The article will be int he May/June issue, so be sure to watch for it.

If you do not receive Stroke Connection, callus at 973-450-4114 and we will send you a form for a free subscription.
Or Click Here to request the magazine from Stroke Connection website.

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Current Programs UPDATED 01/20/08!

Free Chester Social Activity Program
Networking-Tai Chi-Light Exercise

Kessler Institute for Rehab
201 Pleasant Hill Road
Outpatient Building

Second Thursday Each Month From 9:30AM - 11:00AM
Call 973-450-4114 to register

Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program
An exercise program for people with arthritis and limited mobility. Must have doctor's written permission.  Cost is $3.00 per session.

Center for Healthier Living
Hackettstown Hospital
182 Mountain Avenue

Every Monday Starting At 2:00PM
To register for the program call 908-850-6935

Free Livingston Music Therapy Program
A free music program for stroke survivors.

CareOne facility in Livingston
68 Passaic Avenue in Livingston 

First and Third Thursdays of the month Starting at 3:30PM
Call 973-450-4114 to register.

Morristown Free Music Therapy Program
A free music therapy program

CareOne
151 Madison Avenue in Morristown

Every Tuesday at 2:30PM
Call 973-450-4114 to register.

Morristown Sound & Movement Therapy Program
A free sound & movement therapy program

CareOne
151 Madison Avenue in Morristown

Second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 3:15PM
Call 973-450-4114 to register.

Morristown Stroke Discussion Group
A stroke discussion support group led by Dr. Carol Carlson, PhD.

CareOne
151 Madison Avenue in Morristown

First and third Tuesday of the month from 1:00PM to 2:30PM
Call 973-714-7652 to register.

Saddle Brook & West Orange Aphaisa Conversation Group
$5.00 Per Session

Alternate Wednesdays between the two sites at 4:15PM
Call Julie Rowlett at 201-368-6009

Free Paramus Exercise Program
A free exercise program for stroke survivors

CareOne at the Cupola
100 West Ridgewood Avenue in Paramus

Second and fourth Tuesday of the month begining at 11:30AM
Call 973-450-4114 to register. 

Free Saddle Brook Exercise Program
A free exercise program for stroke survivors

Kessler Institution for Rehabilitation
300 Market Street in Saddle Brook

First and third Tuesday of the month beginning at 11:30AM followed by a free lunch.
Call 973-450-4114 to register.

Free Tinton Falls Exercise Program
A free exercise program for stroke survivors

Health South Rehabilitation Hospital of Tinton Falls
2 Centre Plaza (off Hope Road) in Tinton Falls

First and third Wednesday of the month at 2:00PM.
Call 973-450-4114 to register.

Directions for most programs can be found here.

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NJSAC Services

* Therapy for stroke survivors at little or no cost
* Activities for stroke survivors and their families
* Newsletters six times a year that have a wealth of information including new and current programs, present and future activities, available caregivers, assistive devices, and much more.
* Guest speakers on current stroke topics.
* Support groups
* Networking with others who are dealing with the unique problems caused by stroke
* Education and support from the acute phase to long term recovery after stroke

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Do You Have Costume or Good Jewelry?

Do you have costume or good jewelry you haven't worn in years? Recently we have received jewelry from men and women and have been able to sell it at flea markets. Please help NJSAC by sending your unwanted jewelry to us. Our address is NJSAC, 725 Joralemon Street, Suite 191, Belleville, NJ 07109.

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Help For Stroke Survivors

Written by Elaine Mathews, Stroke Survivor

Recently I returned from 80 hyperbolic oxygen treatments and 30 acupuncture treatments in Santa Fe, New Mexico. My cognitive and memory skills improved. I had no more spasms and very less tone. The range of motion greatly improved and I got more movement in my hand and leg. For more information call Elaine at 201-768-9434.

Written by Jesica Perl, Board Certified Music Therapist

During the year that I've been running the group, I've found that I have had the most positive responses from and the most success with helping stroke survivors work on improving their speech volume, intonation and enunciation through breathing exercises, vocal exercises and singing favorite songs. One current client, D.F., has been improving her vocal volume and intonation through singing. The sessions are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month. 3:30PM - 4:30PM at CareOne at Livingston, 60 Passaic Ave. Call 973-450-4114 to register.

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NJSAC Needs Your Help

NJSAC presently has three sources of funding to carry out its mission and provide programs and newsletters. Because of lack of interest and help from NJ stroke survivors and their families, we no longer have a fund raiser dinner or Ad Journal that brought in the majority of money each year. Last year's private donations totaled $2,604. Only 77 out of 1,600 people who receive our newsletters sent in membership dues and our raffle profit was $1,125.

After Stroke Connection wrote about NJSAC in their publication, I received calls form all over the country, asking for my help to start an organization like NJSAC in other states. We have been here for 10 years, providing programs, activities, education and support for NJ stroke survivors, that is not available in other states. Help us continue to provide these services by sending donations, membership dues and selling the raffle tickets that will be sent to you with the next newsletter.

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