Lacey Honors Local Author Who Sheds Light On Dementia Impact

LACEY, NJ — A local author is being celebrated for her dementia awareness advocacy through her new children's book.

Andra Napoleon, a 30-year resident of Lacey Township, recently held a book signing for her children's book, "Gramma Has Dementia." The Lacey Township Committee then read a proclamation recognizing dementia and Alzheimer's disease awareness at their latest meeting.

In the proclamation, Mayor Peter Curatolo noted that dementia and Alzheimer's affect millions nationwide, and especially in Ocean County, where more than 220,000 residents are between the ages of 55 and 85.

"These disorders not only affect those diagnosed, but also place an emotional, physical and financial burden on caregivers, families and healthcare system, often requiring around the clock assistance and extensive medical care," the proclamation reads.

It's also a personal matter to Curatolo, who works in the Ocean County Health Department and has previously said he lost his mother to dementia.

Napoleon's book was inspired by her own experience with dementia, she told the Township Committee. After her four children left the nest, she found herself taking care of her mother, who has lived with Napoleon for nearly a decade now.

"I made this beautiful story of how she was great in the beginning, and how she used to do things with ease, and then how she progressed throughout time," Napoleon explained.

It took four years for her to write the book, she said. It was illustrated by Tatiana Gubich, who joined the signing and Township Committee meeting as she was visiting from Belarus.

Napoleon said more research and awareness is needed for the diseases, as they can impact anybody.

"Dementia, Alzheimer's, it's not prejudiced to anyone, color, race, religion, background," Napoleon said.

You can purchase the book from the "Gramma Has Dementia" website.