Fort Lee Woman Helping Seniors Stay Social

The New Synagogue of Fort Lee is holding an adult care brief drive throughout the month of February to help seniors obtain expensive adult care briefs and raise awareness to this often overlooked, and debilitating, issue.

According to Marlene Ceragno, a member of the New Synagogue of Fort Lee and the driving force behind raising awareness to this issue told Patch that incontinence products help seniors remain mobile, social and productive.

"They prevent older adults from becoming isolated, which can lead to depression and anxiety," Ceragno said. "Without these products many seniors would be trapped in their homes."

However, the cost of these incontinence products can be prohibitive. "I know seniors who have to choose between food and adult care briefs," Ceragno said. "Medicare and insurance do not provide for these items."

Supporting Ceragno in raising awareness to this issue is Valerie Vainieri Huttle who sponsored bill ACR166 asking Congress to enact legislation to provide Medicare coverage for incontinence products. Also supporting Ceragno is Senator Loretta Weinberg and Freeholder Joan Voss.

Ceragno has partnered with the Center for Food Action to store all the adult care briefs collected at the drives she has held. According to Ceragno, the Center for Food Action has a social worker to identify clients who can benefit from these donations.

"Our senior citizens deserve their dignity and this will help preserve it for them," Ceragno said.

"And because these products result in a financial strain, not only on seniors, but on their adult children caretakers, donations are always accepted."

Adult care briefs can be dropped off at The New Synagogue of Fort Lee from Feb. 1 to Feb. 28. For further information, call Marlene Ceragno 201-725-8928 or email mceragno@gmail.com. Click here to follow this issue on facebook.

Follow Fort Lee Patch on Facebook and Twitter; have Fort Lee Patch and breaking news alerts delivered to your in-box by clicking here.