Babylon Town opens new park for

Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers

By Denise M. Bonilladenise.bonilla@newsday.com
@denisebonilla Updated November 5, 2017 6:00 AM

November of 2017, located next to Babylon Town Hall in Lindenhurst. A new park has been
opened, a respite park for those suffering Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.

The Respite Care Relief Park features new gazebo fitted with USB ports to charge cellphones
and other technology so the visitor and patient can listen to music. The park was surrounded also
with mix of purple and yellow flowers, with other planting that bloom at different times of the
year. Because experts believe that music and the scent and sight of flowers can give calmness for
both patients and caregivers.

The park has widened walkways to accommodate visitors with physical disabilities. Alongside
the walkways are posters with facts about Alzheimer’s and information for their caregivers, such
as therapeutic activities for patients and tips for managing stress.

Bert Brodsky, board chairman of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, in a statement called
the park a new tool to improve the quality of life for caregivers and patients. Brodsky founded
the organization in 2002 after being a caregiver for his mother, who had the disease.

“Isolation is unhealthy and harmful for both caregivers and people with Alzheimer’s,” he said.
“This park gives them a dementia-friendly place where they can go to relax, socialize and get
support.”

To keep costs down, the town did the park work in-house. While most of the renovation is
complete, town spokesman Kevin Bonner said, the town plans to add benches to the gazebo,
according to Denise of Newsday.