The Tender has been providing care to persons with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia since 1977. Over the past 40+ years we have seen our population grow from a small group of frail seniors looking for socialization to a program that is dementia focused. The name, The Tender, refers to the small boat (a tender) that ferries passengers from the shore to the waiting ship, a gentle metaphor for the journey of aging.

Most of our clients are living with a family member. Many live with an elderly, ill spouse or with adult children who have spouses and young children of their own. This multi-generational living situation is stressful at best but with the addition of advancing dementia, wandering and incontinence it quickly becomes overwhelming. The Tender not only provides a safe, caring place for the client but also a window of time free from worry for the caregiver.

In order to address the enormous stress faced by caregivers we have a support group which includes a twice monthly group meeting (1st and 3rd Friday of each month from 9AM – 10AM) that offers support, information and education and allows caregivers to voice the overwhelming issues they face on a daily basis.

There is a grant available for residents of Burlington County which means we will only ask for monthly donations. The private pay fee for people not in Burlington County is only $67 and hasn’t been raised in almost 20 years. Your support allows us to make this care available, to make The Tender a place of hope.