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At a time when most people her age were going to clubs or out on dates, Elana Sinsaburgh found herself taking care of her 58-year-old mother full time. Eight years ago, Sandra Bass had mistakenly put a glove inside a microwave. Soon after, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

"I felt very alone in what I was going through and I felt, you know, that my friends were supportive but they couldn't really understand," says Sinsabaugh.

Sophie Finkelman, one of the many volunteers who lead 130 different Alzheimers support groups throughout the five boroughs, understands Sinsabaugh's condition. For years, Finkelman lived with a mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

"It was very difficult to become eventually the manager of a person who had been your manager, who had helped you make decisions, guided you through things," says Finkelman.

Finkelman sought the help of the Alzheimer's Association, and they recommended that she join a support group. Now, Finkelman helps run the support group that she says "saved her."

"I would say it's very important for people who are caregivers to find a network of people where they feel safe," says Finkelman.

Most of the support group volunteers have at some time cared for someone with the disease.

"The caregiver support groups are in many ways the keystone of the Alzheimer's Association," says Jed Levine, the executive vice president of the Alzheimer's Association.

Levine says about 250,000 New Yorkers live with Alzheimer's or a related disorder.

Support group leaders lend a shoulder to cry on, an open ear and an open heart.

"I know when [my support group leader] tells me certain things or ways to deal with the situation I know that she's speaking from a very personal experience," says Sinsabaugh.

"People who attend the support groups report to us, tell us that because they have attended the support groups they were able to keep their head above water, they were able to survive this," says Levine.

So, for providing a life jacket for the caregivers of those living with Alzheimer's, support group leaders for the Alzheimer's Association are our New Yorker's of the Week.

If you would like to contact the Alzheimer's Association, call the 24-hour helpline at 1-800-272-3900 or e-mail helpline@alznyc.org.

If you'd like to nominate someone to be NY1's New Yorker of the Week, send an email describing their qualifications to: nyer@ny1.com or mail a letter to:
NY1 News
New Yorker of the Week
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