N.J. Alzheimer’s Group Joins Exodus From National Federation

The Greater New Jersey chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is leaving the national parent group over its plan to reorganize from a loose federation of local charities into a single legal entity, reports The Wall Street Journal. The departure of Alzheimer’s New Jersey, as the group is now known, follows similar moves by the association’s New York City affiliate and two chapters in Southern California.

The Chicago-based association has some 80 chapters, about 50 of them independent groups that have until January 15 to decide whether to join the centralized organization. The defecting chapters have cited concerns about their ability to keep locally raised funds and maintain hands-on support for caregivers and patients in their communities. Stewart Putnam, chairman of the national association’s board, said the change will allow chapters to advance common goals and that he believes most “will end up being excited about working together in a more unified fashion.”