A 2019 Guide To Alzheimer's and Dementia

The publisher of A 2019 Guide to Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Julie Schumer, shared this article with us.  It discusses the possible causes and risk factors.

This article is a great resource.

Staying Healthy In Your Home

Here is a great article about aging in place!Staying Home As You Age

Happy Mother's Day To All!

I had a great day with grandma today!  We played Rummy, and made up our own rules.  It was a lot of fun. I then taught grandma how to play Roblox.  It was totally new experience for Grandma.  I helped her create an Avatar (which is like a representation of someone on a video game). It was a new experience. Grandma had a blast!  Lastly we had sushi for dinner.  I hope everyone was able to spend some time with their loved one. 

Tips

1. Do not worry about the rules when playing a game with a dementia patient. During Rummy, grandma mixed up many of the rules. It did NOT matter. We had fun, and made up our own game.

2. Try to do something different or new with your family member. We played with Roblox. Grandma was mesmerized. She thought is was so cool!  I did not need her to remember anything. I just showed her what the Avatars look like and how to design them. It was an artistic activity, that we both loved.

3. Eat something new. Grandma never grew up eating sushi.  I think if grandma did not have Alzheimer's she probably would not want to eat raw fish. However, with dementia she was more willing to try it!  I guess it is a weird blessing!  I love sushi!  We both enjoyed California rolls and masago, which are fish eggs.

Hidden Heroes Segment

I am so excited!  My grandma and I were featured on WABC TV Eyewitness News in their Hidden Heroes segment!  Here is the link  Hidden Heroes,

I will post more info tomorrow!

Music Memory

I saw an interesting segment on the news last night. It discussed how music is very beneficial to Alzheimer's patients. In fact there are sections in the brain (the medial temporal lobe) which remains preserved from the damaging effects of Alzheimer's disease.  Also the functional mode network (FMN) which connects sections of the brain, works better and may be improved when listening to familiar music.  What music did your family member enjoy?  Burn the songs onto a CD, or MP3 player, print the lyrics and sing with your loved one!  It doesn't matter if you cannot carry a tune!  It will really help their brain, and will improve your mood as well!  Music and Memory

Repeated Exposure To Familiar Music Alters Functional Connectivity In Alzheimer's

Our Puzzle Time Program in Massachusetts!

Forums and Online Support Groups

We are very pleased to announce that our Closed and Private Facebook support group has been launched.  Since Facebook members must be 13 years and older, kids younger than 13 can join with their parents. It will allow us to share our daily struggles, connect with other kids, and be a great place to "visit" when an understanding ear is needed.

You can find our Kid Caregivers Support Group (Facebook group) by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2BjLHjg

We look forward to hearing from you and helping out!

Colorado Global Ambassadors

Welcome Parker and Lilly!  They did an awesome job introducing the Kid Caregivers Puzzle Time Program to the state of Colorado!  They had a great time with the residents, and made such a difference in so many lives!

Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear In The Refrigerator?

Our Flyer :-)

Kid Caregivers

An intergenerational program to benefit Alzheimer’s patients, and provide support to caregiving youth

Kid Caregivers (www.kidcaregivers.com) is a 501c(3) organization that was founded by Hailey Richman, age 11.5, who has a grandmother with Alzheimer’s disease. She has been a caregiver for her grandma since she was 4 years old. Hailey was named a Hasbro Community Action Hero and a Prudential Spirit of Community National Honoree for her dedication to Alzheimer’s work. She is also the Associate Director of Puzzles To Remember. The mission of Kid Caregivers is to provide support to caregiving youth; and intergenrational programs to benefit the dementia community.

Max Wallack is Associate Director and Advisor at Kid Caregivers. He is a Harvard Medical School student, currently doing research at the Center for Neurological Imaging. He was a caregiver to his great grandma who had Alzheimer’s disease. He is the founder of Puzzles To Remember www.puzzlestoremember.org a 501c3 organization that has supplied over 100,000 puzzles to Alzheimer’s facilities.

1.4 million kids are acting as caregivers in the United States

47 million people worldwide, and 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease THERE IS NO CURE!

But Kid Caregivers has a program which offers support and helps slow the progression.

Kid Caregivers has chapters in over 16 states, and 4 countries, and is rapidly expanding!

•         In person and online peer-to-peer support for caregiving youth

•         Intergenerational Alzheimer’s programs (Puzzle Time and Creative Arts)

•         Community service credit awarded for civic engagement

We are recruiting youth, ages 9-17. For more information about volunteering and becoming a Global Ambassador visit us at: www.kidcaregivers.com or email us at: kidcaregivers@gmail.com

If you are interested in having Puzzle Time at your care facility or nursing home please contact us at kidcaregivers@gmail.com! We will donate therapeutic Alzheimer’s puzzles to your facility, and locate students to volunteer with your residents!

We are always looking to expand!

All contributions to Kid Caregivers are tax-deductible, under Sec.501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. EIN 61-1888629

Wish List

•      Low piece count puzzles

•      iPod Shuffles

Dementia Has Beautiful Moments - a special video with a deaf Alzheimer's patient

I love this video: click here: Video

I love this video. the daughter does not correct her mother. She "goes into HER world." It is the kind and right thing to do, in my opinion. It is inspiring and I would love to share with the deaf community as well.

Clubs Help People with Alzheimer's and Other Forms of Dementia

"Even though there is no cure, there are resources out there! There are still things that can be done to have a fuller lifestyle, even after diagnosis! "Alzheimer's Club(A study has shown that MD's are not giving families information when a diagnosis is made). I think it is very important for families to realize there is respite care, there are activities, and mostly, support! It is very important for families to know there are things you can do! Hoping that my "Kid Caregivers" support group helps others out there. We are NOT alone! 

Your Skin Never Gets Alzheimer's: It Always Remembers Caresses and Scars

The Sense Of Touch Always Remains - article

Grandma and I always hold hands, hug and kiss.  Grandma has her good days and her bad days.  The one thing that always remains is how good it makes her feel if we are touching each other.  Your family member may not always remember who you are, but they know that a hug feels good.  It is especially important for loved ones who live in a nursing home. The staff at a facility takes care of the person, but they do not show physical affection.  The sense of touch is the last sense to remain, up until the end of life.

Advice for Alzheimer's Caregivers

                 Advice for Alzheimer's Caregivers   Michael Kirby Smith (New York Times)

We all need things to do.  People with an Alzheimer's diagnosis have a big change to their lives. Sadness and depression happens a lot when people have do have many things to do.
Here is a helpful article.  The article offers lots of tips. Sometimes people living with Alzheimer's disease become depressed, due to a "lack of stimulating activities".  There are fun activities such a joining a choir and museum programs. My favorite activity is Jigsaw puzzle-solving, alone (if the puzzle piece count is appropriate) or with a partner, which provides a lot of stimulation, and a purpose.                                                   

The Intergenerational Care Project

There is a new trend which is combining elder care with child care.  There is a pilot program in Australia called the Intergenerational Care Project. Here is the link: Intergenerational Care Project
I think it sounds like a great idea!  Although, I am guessing it would have its pros and cons.
Would love to hear from my readers!  What are your thoughts?  Is it a good idea?  Or too much work for the carers?  What are the advantages/risks?

Video  I have a lot of thoughts about this idea.  I think it could work out well.  I can only speak about my own experience. I observe that seniors with Alzheimer's really adore little kids. Many dementia patients enjoy dolls (it reminds them of their parenting days). Interacting with little ones in a day care would be nice for them. BUT, I do think that it could be difficult for the staff at the facility.  I wonder if the behavior of Alzheimer's patients would be "better" as they "parent" the little kids in the facility. Perhaps Alzheimer's patients would be more cooperative regarding their own care. I am glad that Australia is trying to find solutions involving the care of Alzheimer's patients.

I do know that MY intergenerational programs are a BIG hit.  We are expanding PUZZLE TIME to 17 states and 5 countries!  The kids and seniors really enjoy the whole process.  Pairing young people and seniors is a winning idea!

Puzzle Time Program at UCLA

There is an incredible movement: The Youth Movement Against Alzheimer's Disease Here is the link: Youth Movement Against Alzheimer's Disease founded by Nihal Satyadev. This young man is tireless. We have no doubt that his actions will have a tremendous positive impact for the Alzheimer's community and the family members who love them!  The Youth Movement Against Alzheimer's Disease is a high school and college Alzheimer's disease advocacy group. He wants to empower youth. WE are the voice of the future. Nihal and his group have advocated for the pilot Care Corp in California. (This program needs to be in every state!) The Care Corp provides respite care (from UCLA students) for Alzheimer's caregivers.  The funding for Care Corp helps caregivers return to the workforce and reduces the financial burden of caregiving.
We are glad that we could provide specialized Alzheimer's jigsaw puzzles to the UCLA students, and training for our Puzzle Time Program.  The UCLA students are solving jigsaw puzzles with patients in the dementia community We are so happy we have reached college students and our program will provide many Alzheimer's sufferers a sense of accomplishment!

Puzzle Time Program in Massachusetts

 In Massachusetts we are working to get the program at the JGS Lifecare https://jgslifecare.org/, Our Global Ambassador for Massachusetts, Eli will be starting the program shortly!  Thank you Eli!

Oregon Puzzle Time Program

We are thrilled to share that our Puzzle Time Program has expanded to St. Andrews Pacifica Senior Living in Portland Oregon!  Our Global Ambassador, Amina, did a great job today!  She brought 3 friends, and introduced the program there! We will post new pictures from Oregon soon!  If you would like to start a program in your state, please email us at kidcaregivers@gmail.com!

Girl, 11, Uses Puzzles To Help The Elderly Combat Alzheimer’s

Here is a short news clip that demonstrates how our Puzzle Time program works!  Looking forward to signing up additional youth volunteers! We are looking for grade school (4-5) middle school, high school and college students. If you would like to introduce the program to your community, state or country, you will be our Global Ambassador! Our volunteers earn community service credit. We are a Points of Light Presidential Volunteer Service Award certifying organization, please email us at kidcaregivers@gmail.com.

Girl, 11, Uses Puzzles To Help The Elderly Combat Alzheimer’s: A young girl from New York is using a toy to combat a complicated disease.

Working a job with Alzheimer's?

Puzzle Time Program in Portland, Oregon

We are very pleased to share that our NYC kid Caregiver's Puzzle Time Volunteer, Amina, is going to be the Oregon Ambassador, she will be introducing the program and facilitating it in a memory care home in Portland! We are so happy, and know how much the dementia community will benefit from her program!

Please contact us if you would like to start a program (become a Global Ambassador) or would like to participate in a program that is already established.

A Cute Video About Your Brain

https://mybrainrobbie.org/

The Us Against Alzheimer's Summit: The Last Generation Intergenerational Caregiving and Advocacy

This video addresses demonstrates the need for caregiving youth to have their voices heard.
I begin speaking at 31:00 minutes.




https://www.facebook.com/UsAgainstAlz/videos/330260457737335/UzpfSTE2NTM5NDEzNzc6MTAyMTYxNjAxNjUyMzA4ODg/

Kid Caregivers Shared In Portugal :-)

https://patient-innovation.com/post/1953We are excited that a nonprofit in Portugal has shared Kid Caregivers

#SpiritofMyCommunity | Hailey Richman of Long Island City, New York

Our New Flyer

Kid Caregivers

An intergenerational program to benefit Alzheimer’s patients, and provide support to caregiving youth

Kid Caregivers is a 501c(3) organization that was founded by Hailey Richman, age 11, who has a grandmother with Alzheimer’s disease. She has been a caregiver for her grandma since she was 4 years old. Hailey was named a Hasbro Community Action Hero and a Prudential Spirit of Community National Honoree for her dedication to Alzheimer’s work. She is also the Associate Director of Puzzles To Remember www.puzzlestoremember.org

Max Wallack is Associate Director and Advisor at Kid Caregivers. He is a Harvard Medical School student, currently doing research at the Center for Neurological Imaging. He was a caregiver to his great grandma who had Alzheimer’s disease. He is the founder of Puzzles To Remember (www.puzzlestoremember.org) a 501c3 organization that has supplied almost 100,000 puzzles to Alzheimer’s facilities. Max co-authored a children’s book about Alzheimer’s disease available here: http://amzn.to/12peGuT

1.4 million kids are acting as caregivers in the United States
47 million people worldwide, and 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.There is no cure!                                       

But Kid Caregivers has a program which offers support and helps slow the progression.

Kid Caregivers has chapters in over 16 states and 4 countries and is rapidly expanding!

* In person and online peer-to-peer support for caregiving youth
* Intergenerational Alzheimer’s programs (Puzzle Time and Creative Arts) 
* Community service credit awarded for civic engagement
* Opportunities for leadership and service awards

We are recruiting youth, ages 9-17! For more information about volunteering and becoming a Global Ambassador email us at kidcaregivers@gmail.com

 All contributions are tax-deductible, under Sec.501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. EIN 61-1888629

                                                  Our Wish List

36 piece Springbok puzzles for Alzheimer’s patients https://bit.ly/2aBHQxI

iPod Shuffle or Nano players/headphones