East Brunswick Public Library Offers Support for Older Adults and Their Caregivers

More than seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. Another 13 million family members provide unpaid care for a loved one facing the condition, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

The reality is that supporting family members with memory loss is overwhelming and isolating. To help them, the East Brunswick Public Library (2 Jean Walling Civic Center) offers programs and services designed for people experiencing memory loss and the caregivers who support them.

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"Many of us have lived through this journey and understand the growing need for these services," said Melissa Hozik, Adult Programming Librarian. "We've had many patrons ask for information on these topics. East Brunswick Public Library has spent the past two years developing programming and resources to help them."

Hozik's efforts were recognized by the American Library Association. She was the recipient of the 2026 RUSA Margaret E Monroe Library Adult Services Award.

The library hosts a monthly Memory Café. This social gathering is for individuals in the early stages of dementia, those with mild memory loss, or those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), along with their families, friends, or care partners.

Memory Cafes are casual and varied. The goal is simple: bring people together in a welcoming space where memory challenges don't stand in the way of connection.

East Brunswick Public Library's next Memory Cafe is on Friday, September 4, at 10:30 am. Attendees will learn about miniature therapy horses and then meet Odyssey and Roxxy.

East Brunswick Public Library also holds monthly support groups for caregivers.

"Caring for a loved one with dementia can take a steep emotional toll," said Hozik. "We've responded with resources aimed directly at caregivers including our monthly caregiver support group facilitated by a licensed professional counselor."

Led by Sharon Reilly-Marosy, LPC, this group is tailored to spouses, partners, and adult children caring for an aging parent or spouse, offering a confidential space to process the emotional weight of caregiving. Reilly-Marosy was previously the assistant director of the East Brunswick Department on Aging.

The caregiver support group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 pm.

The library's support goes beyond programming. It offers Mirador Magazine, a publication created specifically for people living with dementia or other brain trauma. Featuring a large-text format, Mirador features photography and simple layouts on engaging topics.

The library is also planning its annual fall caregiver program series, Hozik added. Additional information about these programs and services is available at www.ebpl.org/caregiver.