Resources, Tips & Strategies for Living With a Neurological Disorder

Register Here.

At The Kensington White Plains, our mission to improve and preserve the quality of life for every resident is a collaborative effort. To that end, we have built strong relationships with expert medical professionals who keep us current with the latest advances in care, management and treatment of conditions that affect seniors and their families.

Please join us for a panel discussion and learn tips and strategies for living with a neurological disorder, including Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s Disease and brain injury. Gain insight from caregivers and medical professionals as they share personal stories, advice and resources about the impact of neurological disorders on families as they figure out what to do after diagnosis and how to manage challenges that commonly result from changing family dynamics. 

Meet The Panelists:

Nancy R. Nealon, LMSW, Community Program Manager, Parkinson’s Foundation New York & New Jersey Chapter.  Nancy has worked in the health and disabilities arena for 30+ years.  She is a licensed New York State social worker.  For the last five years she her work has centered on a variety of roles and capacities for the Parkinson’s community including: program planner, support group leader, fundraiser, educator and more. In addition, she has had the privilege of working with individuals living with vision loss, multiple sclerosis, and developmental disabilities.  She has also enjoyed part-time roles as an adjunct social work professor for several MSW programs in Rochester and Buffalo and as a program surveyor for the Council on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.  In supporting her community, Nancy is a volunteer for the Monroe County Department of Mental Health, Harbor House of Rochester and various ad hoc roles.

Debby Bennett, BS, National Multiple Sclerosis Society  has been a noteworthy leader in the non-profit arena for over 27 years. She is known for her work as a Community Engagement Manager at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She can also be credited with contributions to AHRC and the long-term care community. Debby has been honored with the Independent Spirit Award for her attention to advocacy. She holds a Bachelor of Science from SUNY Brockport and currently resides in Briarcliff Manor, NY. As a Community Engagement Manager, she oversees 60 self-help groups over a market area that encompasses NYC, Long Island, the lower Hudson Valley and the state of CT. She is a national onboarding trainer for peer connection volunteers and works to connect community partners to the Society. In addition, she work on team projects developing programs for diverse populations like pediatrics, people newly diagnosed, and the Black MS Experience with MS.

Laleene Ali, MS. Ed, CBIS, Brain Injury Association of NYS is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist. As a Family Advocacy, Counseling, and Training Services Coordinator for the Brain Injury Association of New York State, she serves individuals who have sustained a brain injury before the age of 22. She provides supportive counseling, system advocacy, information, and referral as well as other services. She also facilitates a brain injury support group in Westchester County. She covers the Hudson Valley region. Laleene holds a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Queens College. Prior to joining BIANYS she worked as a Guidance Counselor in the NYC Public Schools and held the position of Family/Vocational Counselor at Kings County Hospital Center.

Joan Nimmo, LCSW, Care Consultant/Director of Professional Education, Hudson Valley, NY Chapter Alzheimer’s Association. Joan has been working with people with dementia plus their caregivers for over 20 years, including a private practice in New York City and in the Berkshires. Joan was an adjunct professor at Berkshire Community College. She has worked with elders in the community, assisted living and nursing home milieu.

Janet Goodman, LMSW, CCM, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital has been a social worker for over 40 years. She brings her extensive experience with patients and families from all of the life cycle, to the diverse patient population at Burke. For patients and especially their caregivers. arranging for appropriate services and treatment can be a very difficult and draining task. Developing a caregiving style that is persistent but also resilient, can be a very not only difficult but a very lonely task. Her goal has been to help patients and caregivers be adaptable, flexible and connected, as their needs in life change – to know there is a large community of people who will truly understand and want to be of help.