Cona Elder Law Honors Jerry Cohen as Caregiver of the Year

Cona Elder Law, a leading elder law and estate planning firm based in Melville, recently honored Jerry Cohen, 80, of Mt. Sinai, as Caregiver of the Year in recognition of National Family Caregivers Month. During the firm’s 4th Annual Caregiver Conference held at Hofstra University, Jennifer Cona, Esq., managing partner at Cona Elder Law, awarded Jerry with a plaque and $100 to be donated to the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation.  

According to Jennifer Cona, Esq., “We selected Jerry as a winning caregiver because he exemplifies selfless devotion to his wife Dolores of 57 years who has been battling Alzheimer’s disease for six years.”       

In the early stages while Dolores was at home, Jerry did everything for her.  He took her to doctor appointments, managed her medications, did all the shopping, cooking, laundry, personal care and even laid out clothes for her every day.  Since Dolores could no longer drive, Jerry took her to get her hair and nails done and brought her to the gym twice a week where she took an exercise class for seniors. 

As Dolores’s disease progressed, the doctor recommended that she be placed in a nursing facility as her needs were beyond the scope of Jerry’s abilities to care for her properly.  “While visiting her nearly every day, I work with the medical team on a regular basis so I can stay on top of her care,” says Jerry.

He brings comfort and support to his wife during his visits even when it gets very challenging emotionally. “No matter how she is on a given day, I count every blessing I can get,” says Jerry.

Following the theme of this year’s National Family Caregivers Month “Take Care to Give Care”, Jerry knows he has to consider his own physical and emotional needs.  That’s why he goes to the gym at his condo complex three to four times a week.  He also stays connected to his children and grandchildren who live across the country by using Facetime on his iphone, giving him great joy.

“Our firm works with many families and sees untold numbers of caregivers who put their own lives on hold to perform the difficult and often thankless job of caregiving for a loved one,” explains Ms. Cona.   “By offering the Caregiver of the Year award, Cona Elder Law recognizes, honors and thanks extraordinary and exemplary caregivers who go above and beyond the call of duty and give so much of themselves and their lives to help someone in need.”

Cona Elder Law is recognized as a leading elder law and estate planning firm on Long Island.  The firm was ranked the #1 Elder Law firm by Long Island Business News for 4 consecutive years (2012 – 2015) and was a finalist in the 2015 HIA Business Achievement Awards.  The firm provides creative advocacy and cutting edge planning strategies and has been featured in many publications including: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Newsday, L.I. Business News, Investor’s News Daily, USA Today, The Daily News, The New York Post, Kiplinger’s, Reader's Digest and many others.   Cona Elder Law attorneys have appeared as guests on WNBC-TV, WABC-TV, CNN-fn, News 12, WLNY News 55 and many radio stations including WOR, WCBS AM, WBAB and WFAN.

For a free Guide to Elder Law and Estate Planning, visit us at www.conaelderlaw.com, e-mail elder@conalaw.com or call 631.390.5000.