Cherry Hill Sun

Tag: cherry hill

  • Budget plan touches on the nation’s rising costs

    Courtesy of Cherry Hill Township
    Mayor Dave Fleisher discussed the proposal during a special township council meeting on Nov. 20.

    Mayor Dave Fleisher and council have introduced a new 2026 municipal budget addressing increased costs for township services that mirror rising costs nationwide.

    “This budget also reflects the reality of rising costs outside of our control,” the mayor said, “just as families across the nation are experiencing in their own households: the soaring cost of energy, increasing health-care costs, inflation, tariffs, along with trash and recycling collection and disposal, all which significantly impact our budget.”

    Fleisher then explained in detail the increased cost of township trash collection and disposal. After a competitive bid process, the cost of the services will increase by $1.4 million beginning in January, with additional increases annually for the next four years.

    That translates to a cumulative cost of $47.8 million for trash collection and disposal over the next five years, an increase of $12.4 million – or 34.9% – compared with the previous five-year period.

    “As you see, trash collection, a critical service for our community, has a serious negative impact on the township budget,” Fleisher noted.

    The proposed financial plan also includes a 5-cent increase in the municipal tax rate; for the average township homeowner, that translates to $31.50 more in quarterly property taxes.

    The budget also invests in new technology for the police department and in the upgrade and repair of more than 20 miles of township roads. Improvements to township parks, recreation spaces and historic sites are also included.

    “This budget puts public safety first, makes critical investments in neighborhoods, is fiscally responsible, plans for the future and is focused on what our residents have told us is most important,” Fleisher emphasized.

    The proposed budget – its total as yet unknown – will appear on the township website before a hearing is held for residents to make their voices heard on the plan. That session will be held on Monday, Dec. 22, in person and via Zoom. The next regular council meeting will be held on Monday.

    In other meeting business, council appointed Aidan Kerr and Patrick Gaffney to serve as Class II SLEO (Special Law Enforcement Officers).  

  • District hears concerns on enrollment balancing

    As the township grows, so does its student population. Most concerning is the expected increase in enrollment at the district’s 12 elementary schools.

    The issue became apparent after a March 2024 demographic study that identified five elementary schools at risk of overcrowding by the 2028-’29 school year: Clara Barton, Joyce Kilmer, Richard Stockton, Horace Mann and Woodcrest.

    To begin addressing that, the district recently held three community discussions on what is called elementary enrollment balancing, and elicited input from parents and the community. The sessions were held at Cherry Hill East and West; the third was virtual.

    Superintendent Dr. Kwame Morton took part in the virtual panel discussion, as did several members of the school board and the district’s director of secondary education, Dr. Neil Burti.

    “So the true effort, or true work,” said Morton, “really has to do with us ensuring that we’re ready for the future, while also maintaining high quality of experience for students and high quality of education.”

    The demographic study assumed all classes would be at full capacity of 22 to 26 students, though many of them – especially special-education classes – have significantly lower capacity caps, meaning the overcrowding would be more significant than expected.

    Geographic considerations – along with maximizing transportation efficiency – will be major considerations in any long-term solution to balance enrollment, according to the district.

    “We are absolutely considering the impact on students and families,” assured Morton, “and ultimately, our goal is to minimize disruptions to any of our students and any of our families, while also addressing the present needs that we have and the future needs that we have.”

    No decisions were made during the three meetings, but possible solutions discussed included converting the Lewis Administration Building into another elementary school, grouping schools by proximity and revising school boundaries.

    Concerns were also raised by parents of multiple children who have one student already in an elementary school and would like the district to ensure siblings can remain together.

    “Our goal to the end of this process is to try to create a plan that disrupts the district as little as possible,” noted board of education president Gina Winters.

    Further discussions are expected – including sessions for the public – but dates have yet to be planned.

  • How 50 years of Friends made Barclay Farmstead

    Barclay Farmstead would not be what it is today without friends.

    One of the township’s most prominent historic and recreational sites came to be because of the Friends of Barclay Farmstead, an institution for decades. After the township purchased the farmstead as a historic site in 1975, the Friends restored the property’s home and eventually offered educational programs and community events.

    To mark its 50th anniversary, the Friends hosted a celebration at the farmstead on Nov. 15, enabling guests to see the farmstead’s holiday home decorations. To accommodate the 100 people who attended – too many for the farmstead house alone – a heated tent was set up on the lawn outside.

    Some of the original Friends were on hand, while the children and spouses of other members who couldn’t attend took their places.

    Megan Brown is the recreation manager for the township’s recreation department, under which care of the farmstead falls.

    “There was a lot of reconnection and just excited to be back together kind of feelings,” she said of the celebration.

    In addition to the holiday decor, the house featured photos of the Barclay Farmstead when the Friends first began restoration efforts and through the last five decades. Holiday tours took place through November.

    Abigail Twiford/The Sun
    The Friends of Barclay Farmstead were shown in photos through the years at the group’s anniversary celebration on Nov. 15.

    “There was a lot of just nostalgia in the display of the last 50 years and the people who have made an impact and telling some of the story of when the group of people kind of rallied around rehabbing the house and making it what it is today,” Brown explained.

    But this year’s Christmas decorations were less important than allowing visitors to see how the house looks the rest of the year.

    “They’re understated this year,” noted Betty Eigenrauch, a Friends volunteer. “We wanted to have a tree up, but it’s not the main thing in the room this year …”

     

    Abigail Twiford/The Sun
    The living area of the Barclay Farmstead’s historic house is decorated for the holiday season.

    Photos from the Friends’ anniversary celebration remain on display for anyone who would like to learn about the efforts that went into creating the historical landmark known today as the Barclay Farmstead.

    “It’s just a great testament to the impact of community volunteerism,” Brown observed. “You know that the farmstead would not be what it is today without that organization.”

  • Cherry Hill Calendar

    Wednesdays

    Barclay Farmstead public tours Noon to 4 p.m. Barclay Farmstead, 209 Barclay Lane (off West Gate Drive). For more information, visit Barclay Farmstead: A Living History Museum | Cherry Hill Township, NJ. 

    Dec. 3 to 10

    Happenings at the Cherry Hill library at 1100 Kings Highway North. For more information, call (856) 667-0300 or email info@chplnj.org. 

    Nov. 24 to Dec. 13 – Bundle Up Coat Drive. 

    Dec. 3 – 10:30 to 11 a.m. – Tales for Twos.

    Dec. 3 – 3 to 4:30 p.m. – Adult Crafting Program: Winter Wreaths.

    Dec. 3 – 7 to 8 p.m. – Washington Crossing the Delaware and The Battle of Trenton Lecture.

    Dec. 4 – 10:30 to 11 a.m. – Little Bookworm’s Story Time.

    Dec. 5 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Better Book and Jigsaw Puzzle Sale.

    Dec. 5 – 5 to 6:15 p.m. – After Hours: Cozy Winter Read-In.

    Dec. 6 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Better Book and Jigsaw Puzzle Sale.

    Dec. 6 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Gently Used Jewelry and Accessory Sale- Library Fundraiser Event.

    Dec. 7 – All Day – Library closed.

    Dec. 8 – 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. – Little Wiggles: Baby Story Time.

    Dec. 8 – 7 to 8 p.m. – Crafter Hours: Paper Crafting.

    Dec. 9 – 10:30 to 11 a.m. – Rhyme Time.

    Dec. 9 – 11 a.m. to noon – Drone Photography.

    Dec. 9 – 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – LEAP Intermediate.

    Dec. 9 – 2 to 3:30 p.m. – Needlework Meetup.

    Dec. 9 – 6 to 7 p.m. – Crafter Hours: Winter Scratch Art.

    Dec. 9 – 7 to 8:30 p.m. – CHPL Book Club: Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon.

    Dec. 10 – 10:30 to 11 a.m. – Tales for Twos.

    Dec. 10 – 6:30 to 8 p.m. – WHYY Bridging Blocks: Equity in Education.

    Camden County events

    For more information visit www.camdencounty.com.

    Dec. 3 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Camp Sunny Side Online, Virtual Event.

    Dec. 4 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – disABILITIES Yoga, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    Dec. 5 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration, Battleship New Jersey, 62 Battleship Place, Camden.

    Dec. 5 – 5 to 7 p.m. – Deck the Dell Holiday Event (featuring Elf), Haddon Lake Park, Hillside and South Park Avenue, Haddon Heights.

    Dec. 6 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Seniors Painting Party, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    Dec. 8 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – disABILITIES Dance Class, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    Dec. 9 – 10:30 a.m. to noon – Starting a Business in New Jersey, virtual event.

    Dec. 9 – noon to 1 p.m. – Board of Commissioners caucus meeting, Camden City Hall, 6th Floor 520 Market St., Camden. 

    Dec. 9 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – disABILITIES Martial Arts, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    Thursday, Dec. 4

    Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting 7:30 to 11 p.m. via Zoom.

    Sunday, Dec. 7

    Winter festival Noon to 4 p.m. at Croft Farm.

    Monday, Dec. 8

    “Aging Wisely: Helpful Guidance for Seniors and Caregivers” 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Carmen Tilelli Community Center.

    Recreation Commission meeting 6 to 7 p.m. via Zoom.

    Township council meeting 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at N. John Amato Council Chambers and via Zoom.

    Wednesday, Dec. 10

    Wellness walk 9 to 10 a.m. at Cherry Hill Mall.

  • The Indian King Tavern’s Revolutionary War history

    Abigail Twiford/The Sun
    Joella Clamen presented a slide show at the library about the tavern’s role in the Revolutionary War, among its other history.

    As part of its ongoing series to mark the upcoming 250th anniversary of America’s founding, the library hosted a Nov. 18 presentation on the Indian King Tavern.

    The grant-funded project “U.S. at 250: South Jersey and the Revolution” is a year-long exploration of area history and its role in the nation’s beginning. The library talk focused on the tavern’s Revolutionary War history.

    Joella Clamen, museum interpreter of the historic site, told stories and presented a slide show with historical photos, illustrations and maps to help explain the tavern’s past. Clamen began by noting that the tavern is located on what is now Kings Highway – then known as Salem-Burlington Road – and had an important connection to South Jersey’s first two English settlements.

    The tavern was operated by widow Mary Creighton, who got help during the war from her second husband Hugh and two sons. Clamen explained how at the time, the role of tavern keeper was often filled by women, given the job’s focus on homemaking skills.

    “You can work from home if you’re running a tavern,” she remarked.

    Creighton got financial and other support from Haddonfield to buy the tavern and obtain her license to run it. 

    “They actually had pretty strong social welfare laws …” Clamen noted. “Taxpayers of the town put money into a group called the Guardians of the Poor, who then had to support impoverished people. So it’s really not in anyone’s interest for a widow who’s in a vulnerable situation and might have fallen into poverty. It’s actually in everyone’s interest for her to be gainfully employed.”

    Clamen also noted that some of the tavern’s workers were enslaved and pointed to the impact slavery had on social standing at the time, though the borough’s largely Quaker population was against it.

    “If you did not have a plan to free them (slaves),” she said, “then you could be what was called disowned from the meeting.”

    Quakers who supported the revolution were also disowned, given the religious group’s pacifist stance on war.

    “They not only said that they didn’t want people from their religious committee to bear arms, they said, ‘We don’t support this revolution,’” Clamen related.

    She also noted that Haddonfield was chosen as the revolutionary government of New Jersey’s headquarters – after the imprisonment of the British-appointed leadership – but there are no records of why. A room at the tavern, however, became the location for the young government’s meetings.

    “This is why some people say New Jersey became a state there,” Clamen related.

    The revolutionary government eventually left the borough after the British took control of Philadelphia in the fall of 1777, so its headquarters wouldn’t be close to enemy troops. But Haddonfield’s role in the revolution did not end there: When enemy soldiers left Philadelphia later in the conflict, they marched through the town to retreat.

    Following the war, Quakers who were disowned by their church continued to practice their religion and became the Society of Free Quakers in Philadelphia. 

    Clamen also addressed how Haddonfield native Timothy Matlack Jr., son of one of the tavern’s first owners, was known for his penmanship, so he was chosen to create a handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence.

    “So when somebody tells you, ‘Thomas Jefferson wrote the declaration,’” Cleman pointed out, “yeah, but he didn’t hand write the declaration.”

    Clamen ended her talk by discussing how the tavern became a museum in 1903, after the Daughters of the American Revolution lobbied the state to buy the building. It has been a museum since, with a bronze plaque outside to commemorate its important role in the Revolutionary War.

  • How art went to school – for 50 years

    Abigail Twiford/The Sun
    Libby DeLuca (left to right), Mary Johnston and Amy Bash display the proclamation from Art Goes to School’s township chapter.

    Art Goes to School is a Delaware Valley nonprofit whose volunteers bring art appreciation classes to public elementary schools throughout the region.

    While the organization has been around for 66 years, it’s been an institution in township schools for decades. The chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary in Cherry Hill with a reception on Nov. 14 at the Arthur Lewis Administration Building.

    Mayor Dave Fleisher presented a proclamation to Art Goes to School volunteers for sharing their love of the arts with students. The nonprofit’s grants administrator Amy Bash noted the mayor’s words of appreciation for the volunteers and the work that they do.

    During its township history, the organization has educated hundreds of children every year.

    “Besides celebrating 50 years, we’ve taught art appreciation to literally tens of thousands of children over 50 years,” Bash explained. “Sometimes kindergarten, first through sixth grade, at no cost to the resources of the school. We don’t impact their budget, it’s all free.

    “We’re all volunteers and we’re a nonprofit organization.”

    Superintendent Dr. Kwame Morton also attended the anniversary celebration with members of the Art Goes to School chapter and elementary-school art teachers and principals. Organization president Mary Johnston was also on hand.

    A cake that read, “AGTS Cherry Hill Celebrating 50 Years,” was served to guests, and a toast to the group’s achievements and long legacy was made with sparkling cider.

    “It’s been a really nice celebration,” Bash said. “Really, very nice … We’re just very grateful that superintendent Morton and Mayor Fleischer are so supportive of letting us continue to teach our appreciation to the elementary-school kids. We spend months preparing for our portfolios.”

    Cherry Hill chapter chair Libby DeLuca and Bash presented special certificates recognizing Art Goes to School veterans who have been part of the organization for five, 10, 15, 20 and 40 years each. One member, Linda Markoff, has put in 40 years.

    “We have a lot of pride, a lot of longevity, a lot of dedication for 50 years,” Bash pointed out. “This is amazing.”

  • Official: Cherry Hill election results

    The results of the Nov. 4 election in Cherry Hill are now official after being verified by the Camden County Board of Elections on Nov. 18.

    Township council

    Four candidates vied for four open seats on the township council. Democrat candidate and incumbent council president William A. Carter III got 23,806 votes, and fellow incumbents Jill Hulnick and Sangeeta Doshi received 23,791 and 23,743, respectively.

    First-time council candidate Rob Connor won the final open seat with 23,559 votes. There were 354 write-in votes.

    Township board of education

    Five candidates vied for three, three-year term seats on the board of education. Incumbent president Gina Winters received the most votes with 17,461, followed by incumbent board vice president Adam Greenbaum with 16,982. Candi Cummings won the final open seat with 14,527 votes.

    Brandi N. DeVeaux received 13,359 votes and Collin O. Duckett received 11,672.

    There were 998 write-in votes.

  • Cherry Hill Calendar

    Wednesdays

    Barclay Farmstead public tours Noon to 4 p.m. Barclay Farmstead, 209 Barclay Lane (off West Gate Drive). For more information, visit Barclay Farmstead: A Living History Museum | Cherry Hill Township, NJ. 

    Nov. 19 to 26

    Happenings at the Cherry Hill library at 1100 Kings Highway North. For more information, call (856) 667-0300 or email info@chplnj.org. 

    Through Dec. 13 – Bundle Up Coat Drive 

    Nov. 26 – Closes at 2 p.m. for Thanksgiving.

    Nov. 27 – Closed for Thanksgiving.

    Nov. 30 – Closed for the holiday.

    Dec. 1 – 1 to 4 p.m. – WHYY News Pop Up Newsroom and Foster Care Resource Fair.

    Dec. 1 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Barking Book Buddies.

    Dec. 2 – 10:30 to 11 a.m. – Rhyme Time.

    Dec. 2 – 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – LEAP Intermediate.

    Dec. 2 – 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Close-Knit Club.

    Dec. 3 – 10:30 to 11 a.m. – Tales for Twos.

    Dec. 3 – 3 to 4:30 p.m. – Adult Crafting Program: Winter Wreaths.

    Dec. 3 – 7 to 8 p.m. – Washington Crossing the Delaware and The Battle of Trenton Lecture.

    Camden County events

    For more information visit www.camdencounty.com.

    Nov. 26 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Camp Sunny Side virtual event 

    Nov. 28 – 6 to 9 p.m. – Haddonfield tree Lighting, downtown Haddonfield, 200 Kings Highway, Haddonfield.

    Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 – The Great Pet Adoption Celebration, Animal Welfare Association.

    Sunday, Nov. 30

    Holiday House: 50 Years of Friendship 1 to 4 p.m. at Barclay Farmstead.

    Monday, Dec. 1

    Planning board meeting 7:30 to 11 p.m. via Zoom..

    Tuesday, Dec. 2

    Board of Fire Commissioners regular meeting 7 to 9 p.m. at 1100 Marlkress Road.

  • Cherry Hill Calendar

    Wednesdays

    Barclay Farmstead public tours: Noon to 4 p.m. Barclay Farmstead, 209 Barclay Lane (off West Gate Drive). For more information, visit Barclay Farmstead: A Living History Museum | Cherry Hill Township, NJ. 

    Nov. 19 to 26

    Happenings at the library: For more information, call (856) 667-0300 or email info@chplnj.org. 

    Nov. 1 to 23 – Cherry Hill Township Food Drive.

    Nov. 19 – 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. – Friends of the Library Meeting.

    Nov. 19 – 10:30 to 11 a.m. – Tales for Twos.

    Nov. 19 – 7 to 8 p.m. – Crafter Hours: Tissue Paper Stained Glass Turkey Craft.

    Nov. 19 – 7 to 8 p.m. – How to Hunt the Jersey Devil with Tony DiGerolamo.

    Nov. 20 – 10:30 to 11 a.m. – Little Bookworm’s Story Time.

    Nov. 20 – 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – Get to Know Google.

    Nov. 20 – 10:30 a.m. to noon – Community Conversation: PSE&G’s No-cost Energy Efficiency Programs.

    Nov. 20 – 2 to 3 p.m. – Introduction to Canva.

    Nov. 21 – 10:30 to 11 a.m. – Music and Movement.

    Nov. 22 – 3 to 4 p.m. – Crafting Club.

    Nov. 23 – 1 to 4 p.m. – Holiday Craft Fair.

    Nov. 23 – 1 to 5 p.m. – National Novel Writing Month: Come Write In!

    Nov. 24 – 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – Finding Free Public Domain Images.

    Nov. 24 – 2 to 4 p.m. – Monday Movie: A Real Pain.

    Nov. 24 – 6:30 to 7 p.m. – Night Owls.

    Nov. 25 – 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – LEAP Intermediate.

    Nov. 25 – 2 to 3:30 p.m. – Needlework Meetup.

    Nov. 25 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Teen Craft & Chat: Build Your Own Button.

    Nov. 25 – 7 to 8 p.m. – Ace the Interview.

    Nov. 26 – 2 p.m. – Library Closing Early for Thanksgiving.

    Camden County events

    For more information, visit www.camdencounty.com.

    Nov. 19 – 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Annual Caregivers Conference, Camden County College Blackwood Campus, 200 College Drive, Gloucester Township.

    Nov. 20 – 11 a.m. to noon – Identifying & Preventing Financial Elder Abuse, M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch Library: Voorhees, 203 Laurel Road, Voorhees.

    Nov. 20 – 6 to 7 p.m. – Latin Dance: Authentic Cuban Dances, William G. Rohrer Memorial Library- Haddon Township Branch: Haddon, 15 MacArthur Blvd., Westmont.

    Nov. 20 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – disABILITIES Dinner Dance, Magnolia Community Center, 425 Brook Ave., Magnolia.

    Nov. 21 – 2 to 3 p.m. – Fall Music Series: Jazz Performance by Abe Speller, South County Regional Branch Library, 35 Cooper Folly Road, Atco.

    Nov. 24 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – disABILITIES Dance Class, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    Nov. 25 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – disABILITIES Martial Arts, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    Nov. 26 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Camp Sunny Side Online, Virtual Event. 

    Thursday, Nov. 20 

    Board of Fire Commissioners meeting 7 to 9 p.m. at 1100 Marlkress Road.

    Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting 7:30 to 11 p.m. via Zoom.

    Township council meeting 7 to 9:30 p.m. at N. John Amato Council Chambers and via Zoom.

    Friday, Nov. 21

    Holiday House: 50 Years of Friendship 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Barclay Farmstead.

    Saturday, Nov. 22

    Holiday House: 50 Years of Friendship 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Barclay Farmstead.

    Sunday, Nov. 23

    Holiday House: 50 Years of Friendship 1 to 4 p.m. at Barclay Farmstead.

    Holiday Gift Bazaar 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Congregation Kol Ami, 1101 Springdale Road.

  • Senior living residence offers ‘a walk in their shoes’ dementia simulation

    November marks Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, with the goal of giving the general public greater knowledge of the signs and symptoms of the disease, promote early diagnosis and encourage and support brain health.

    Nearly 7 million Americans live with the disease and it is deadlier than both breast and prostate cancer combined, and numbers are projected to increase substantially in coming decades. Around 185,000 people in New Jersey alone are living with the disease.

    In an attempt to make it easier for those not themselves experiencing dementia, The Residence at Cherry Hill, an assisted living facility, created a simulation experience of what dementia is like for those who live with it. 

    Titled “A Walk in Their Shoes,” the simulation involved participants learning the physical effects dementia has on the body.

    Participants wear glasses with darkened screens to restrict their vision, gloves that alter dexterity in the hands and fingers, show inserts that replicate nerve pain and headphones mimic hearing loss.

    Each step and device is explained to the participant, giving them information about the research and science behind the simulation. 

    Once they are set up, individuals taking part in the experience are asked to perform seemingly simple tasks like finding a specific card in a deck or reaching into a bag to find a notebook and write down their feelings. 

    Amber Evans is the vice president of memory care and resident engagement services at LCB Senior Living, which operates The Residence.

    “What they realize is, once they have all these items on them, it becomes very difficult to do simple tasks,” she said.

    The goal is foster greater understanding in those who are not currently living with any form of dementia for those who are, especially their caregivers and loved ones.

    “It kind of gives them an empathy of what that person living with dementia is going through on the day to day, and hopefully alters their response to that loved one,” Evans explained.

    Though the experience is often used by those working in memory care or connected to someone living with dementia, anyone interested is able to take part, with simulations being held at the location on a monthly basis.

    In addition to the broader community, all employees at the senior living facility do the simulation. Various first responder organizations and nursing schools also take part to create greater awareness of the struggles of those living with dementia.

    As the actions and reactions of those with the disease can be difficult for those around them to understand, Evans emphasized that empathy was a key piece in caring for them, as well as remembering that they are now experiencing the world differently.

    “A loved one, living with this disease, is relying less on their words and more on their emotions,” she said. “Pay attention to nonverbal information, speaking slowly and really paying more attention to the emotion behind it and less about the actual words that are being spoken.”

    Evans also expressed the importance of finding a community to help handle the changes that come along with having a loved one live with the disease.

    “If people are worried that their loved one might be starting this journey, seek help from their local community,” she advised. “This is something that requires people to wrap arms around you and do this together.”