Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Messages/Notes

 Grandma had hip surgery in 2017, when she fell at her nursing home. When people break their hip and they do not have dementia it is very stressful. However, when someone has Alzheimer's disease, and a broken hip it is very very difficult.

Grandma was in pain and did not understand why her hip hurt her. She was very scared in the ambulance and we needed to have a 1-to-1 aide with grandma all of the time so she does not fall out of her hospital bed while trying to "escape".

Even though I was only 10 at the time, I instinctively knew that writing notes and placing them all over grandma's room would be very help and reduce the confusion.

I remember the morning after her surgery. She did not know why she was in a hospital and wanted to go "home" immediately.

The staff (nurses, doctors, PT, OT, aides) kept reminding grandma about the surgery to "orient her". I told them to write a note and place it on the wall near her bed. 

It was very very helpful!  In addition to having Alzheimer's disease, grandma was very hard of hearing (and did not want to wear a hearing aid). Pointing to the sign reassured her about her purpose at the hospital. I guess the part of the brain, Wernicke's area, (I am learning about it in AP Psychology) that comprehends written language, is preserved for a while (until it disappears), for people with Alzheimer's disease.

Grandma calmed down and relaxed when she understood "why" she was in the hospital. The staff appreciated my suggestion and they said they will use it with other dementia patients. This was NYU Langone Hospital in NYC. It is a fantastic hospital!


Friday, October 7, 2022

Thank You So Much Frances Valentine!

 We are so very grateful to Frances Valentine for their EXTREMELY generous donation of 1000 jigsaw puzzles to our organization!


The puzzle on the left is called Bird Is The Word, and the one on the right is Into The Flowers

Both puzzles are very colorful, cheerful and have lovely themes. They will be donated to facilities with independent seniors who are often isolated and need challenging puzzle activities to possibly prevent Alzheimer's in the first place!

In addition, we are going to use the puzzles for a PUZZLE -A-THON to raise money for the CURE ALZHEIMER'S FUND.

We cannot thank Frances Valentine enough for their kindness and generosity on behalf of the Alzheimer's community!

FRANCES VALENTINE is an extraordinary posh and gorgeous boutique on Madison Avenue in NYC.

Here is their website click here

They sell super fashionable clothes and accessories! 

Friday, August 26, 2022

Special Memory From Woman's Day Magazine in 2018

 Such a special memory! Grandma and I were in the September 2018 issue of Woman's Day magazine. I was overjoyed about getting our story published. It could not have happened without my dear friend Lynda Everman's help! I was happy to share with other families that kids who are caregivers are not alone! There are actually 1.8 million young people who are caring for a family member with Alzheimer's disease.




Sunday, August 21, 2022

Planning any international trips? Would you like to help people living with Alzheimer's disease in underserved countries?

 We are always looking to expand PUZZLE TIME internationally! Please message me here or at kidcaregivers@gmail.com to become an international Ambassador!

Amazing Work From Our Puzzle Ambassador to Brazil, Kevin Aldridge!

 Kevin went on a trip to Brazil and implemented Puzzle Time there. Here are his words:

"Implementing Puzzle Time in Brazil was a success! I worked with two senior living facilities there—Residencial Longévité and Abrigo Mariana Magalhães (AMMA). Both homes were very receptive towards the project and the residents were amazing as well. In addition to implementation, I trained volunteers there and also the staff members at the homes to continue the project. Also, we were able to consolidate all the puzzles into our baggages so there was no extra baggage fee. Attached below is a google drive link to photos and videos of the visits. Thank you so much for all the puzzles, support, and effort for expanding Puzzle Time!"

He took many pictures and videos. Here are are a few highlights. 

If you are visiting another country and would like to start the Puzzle Time there, please email us at Kidcaregivers@gmail.com. 

The smiling faces and hugs are all that we need to see what a success it was!





To view all of his incredible service work in Brazil click the link.Here is a link to the Google Drive

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Life of a Kid Caregiver

 Here are some pictures of what my life was like while caring for my dear grandma

I often used a pulse oximeter to make sure grandma's oxygen levels were ok. I learned at an early age how to use one. 

I also took great joy cutting grandma's food for her. I remembered how she cut my food, and it was my time to do it for her.
Many times, grandma did not want to eat. But I was able to convince her and feed her. I was good at it.


My dry erase board came in handy. I learned that grandma could not always express what she wanted, so I wrote questions and she was able to either answer me or point or give a thumbs up or down.



Love was ALWAYS behind the caregiving.


Kevin Aldridge our Maryland Ambassador is now our Ambassador to Brazil!

Kevin Aldridge has been our amazing Ambassador for Maryland for 3 years. Now he is expanding PUZZLE TIME to Brazil! We are thrilled. He is recruiting Brazilian Students who will be participating in PUZZLE TIME in underserved communities. Stay Tuned for pictures and updates. We are so excited!



 


Friday, August 5, 2022

PodCast about Latinos And Alzheimer's Disease

 Did you know that by 2030, nearly 40% of all Americans living with Alzheimer's will be Black or Latino.  Latinos are 1.5 times as likely as non-Hispanic Whites to develop Alzheimer's disease?


Dr. Jane Delgado, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health discusses current health models and risk factors and solutions.


 Click here to listen to the podcast

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

A Letter Of Thanks

 It warms our hearts to hear from different facilities after they receive a puzzle donation!

Greenfield Care Center of Fairfield


1260 Travis Blvd., Fairfield, CA 94533


June 21, 2022


Puzzles To Remember.org


Dear Sir/Madam:


I would like to personally thank your organization through Ms. Trametria Chandler, an employee of VA at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, CA. She shared through me a lot of their excess/extra puzzles to our skilled nursing facility where some of our residents have Alzheimer's Disease.


Thank you again and more power to your organization.

Sincerely yours,


Generoso G. Padre

Activity Director

Activity@gccfairfield.com






Monday, June 20, 2022

Early Photos of How It All Began!

 I am often asked how PUZZLE TIME came to be. When I was a young girl I would visit my grandma at her memory care facility and bring puzzles to solve with her. Solving jigsaw puzzles stimulates the visual cortex (occipital lobe) which may slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, improves mood, reduces agitation. It also gives the person a rare sense of accomplishment!

I would solve puzzles not only with my grandma, but with other residents at the facility. I then brought my bestie, Katie, to the facility and she would solve puzzles with the residents too. 

That was when I learned that the intergenerational activity of solving jigsaw puzzles together, is a wonderful idea and could benefit many people! Both the kids and the seniors living with dementia!

Now our organization has 2000 student volunteers and Girl Scouts and is located in all 50 states and 16 countries and counting! You are never too little to make a difference!


Wednesday, June 15, 2022

OUTDOOR Puzzle Time!

When weather is nice, we encourage our volunteers to have PUZZLE TIME outdoors!  The air is fresh and the sun is shining.  We have "enhanced" puzzle-solving because we can talk about the nature scenes on the puzzle and actually see them. One of my favorite puzzles has an image of colorful birds. How nice is it to see the birds "in real life" in addition to the puzzle.


This weekend, I am having an outdoor PUZZLE TIME for people living with dementia and training session for volunteers!

Stay tuned for photos and updates!








Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Monday, June 6, 2022

Puzzle Solving With People Living With Advanced Dementia

Alzheimer's disease is progressive and our loved ones will worsen as time goes on. However, they can solve jigsaw puzzles at all stages!

Here are some tips:

1) There are NO rules. You do not have to solve the puzzle!  The point is to have fun together.
2) Hand the puzzle piece to the resident.
3) Point to where it belongs.
4) Give the person a chance to put it in, if not, do it for them.
5) TALK - I made conversation about birds, while my puzzle partner listened and sometimes smiled. My volunteer, Sofiya, talked about Monopoly and how she loves to play it.
6) Simple wooden puzzles also bring joy.











Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Guest Spot on Alzheimer's Speaks Radio Show JUNE 7th at 2 PM!




I am very excited to be a guest on Alzheimer's Speaks Radio! Please tune in on June 7th at 2 PM if you get a chance!







 

Thursday, May 26, 2022

RILEY'S WAY Call To Kindness Fellow 2022


 Thank you so much for this honor!  Lot's of amazing plans for this year! 

Very Cool Technology For People With Dementia!




Click link to watch the video!


https://fb.watch/dfl4anm9gv/



How To Talk To People With Alzheimer's disease


 


Very helpful and informative tips! Remember to go into the Alzheimer's World. You cannot bring a person with dementia into YOUR reality. You have to go into their reality!

Rosalynn Carter's 4 Types of Caregivers!


 

"End Of School" ZOOM Session JUNE 24th!


Come join us! We can share our caregiving tips. Help one another, share our summer plans, and brainstorm ways to help care for our loved ones who are living with Alzheimer's disease!


 

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

PUZZLE TIME at SAGE Facilities in NYC JUNE 4TH



SAGE NYC: Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders


SAGE is Advocacy & Services for LGBT Elders.

Elderly people face the risk of social isolation. Unfortunately, LGBTQ + older adults face it even more! They are twice as likely to be single, and 3 to 4 times less likely to have children. They often do not have families who care for them. They are lonely, and if they are living with Alzheimer's disease, it is very scary to not have family caring for you.

We want to reach communities with LGBT older adults living with Alzheimer's disease.

Currently we plan to donate therapeutic Alzheimer's puzzles to SAGE  Centers in NYC.

We need volunteers to deliver puzzles and participate in PUZZLE TIME for the following communities:

Edie Windsor SAGE Center

305 Seventh Avenue
15th Floor
New York, NY 10001

SAGE Center Harlem

220 West 143rd Street
New York, NY 10030

SAGE Center Bronx at Crotona Pride House

1784 Prospect Ave
Bronx, NY 10457

We are coordinating the logistics of PUZZLE TIME, and volunteers would need to show proof of vaccination and boosters, and wear masks at all times.

To deliver puzzles only masks are required.

We are delivering 400 puzzles to underserved SAGE communities on JUNE 4TH. Come join us!

Students will earn community service hours and we will have a few fun goodies in store!

Please email us at Kidcaregivers@gmail.com to volunteer!



Tuesday, May 24, 2022

The CHANGE Act (S.1692/H.R. 3354)

Click here to write to Congress

I have gone in the past to Washington DC to speak to my representatives about the bipartisan bill that would provide the tools to accurately detect Alzheimer's in its earliest stages, accelerate progress towards prevention strategies, early diagnosis, disease-modifying treatments, and hopefully a cure!

Congress needs to hear from ALL of us.

PLEASE send your message to your Senator and Representative and let us continue to push for the passage of this critical bill.

Please click the link to email your representatives. I suggest that you write about your story to make it more personal. But you do not have to do that. There is a template to use.






Thursday, May 19, 2022

ONE HOUR is all it takes to help persons living with Alzheimer's disease!

Would you like to start PUZZLE TIME in your area?  We are always looking to expand!  Please spend ONE HOUR to enrich the lives of people living with Alzheimer's disease!

Here are the 3 EASY steps:

1) Email us at kidcaregivers@gmail.com or fill out a form online. We will find a facility for you!

2) Gather 4-5 friends/scouts/family members

3) We will ship a box of special Alzheimer's puzzles for PUZZLE TIME with the residents!

Community service hours are awarded and the Alzheimer's community benefits greatly!









Girl Scout Troop 1995

So grateful to Sandra an extraordinary Girl Scout troop leader (Troop 1995 - Commack, NY) for all of her hard work helping to coordinate a huge PUZZLE TIME event! Now that the summer is approaching we will have LOTS of outdoor PUZZLE TIME! (It helps with COVID-1i safety precautions and it is fun). Who does not like to solve puzzles outdoors in the fresh air? Stay tuned for. updates! #rileyswayfoundation #multiplyinggood #kidcaregivers #springbok #ceacopuzzles #puzzlestoremember #ENDALZ #puzzlestime #girlscoutsofamerica 











Monday, May 16, 2022

Riley's Way Call To Kindness Fellow

 No photo description available.


This week’s Kind Leader Spotlight shines on Hailey Richman!

Taking her own family’s experience with Alzheimer’s and turning it into an opportunity to support others in similar circumstances, Hailey started Kid Caregivers, an organization that supports and empowers children who are acting as caregivers. She partners with Puzzles To Remember, an organization that provides puzzles to facilitate care for people with Alzheimer's disease.

“I want all kids to know that, don't think just because you're a kid that you can't make a difference”

We celebrate her for empowering kids and adults alike to act with compassion and creating a #kindertomorrow!

Check out the Kid Caregivers website to learn more:
http://www.kidcaregivers.com/


CLICK HERE FOR THE 2022 CALL FOR KINDNESS FELLOWS (including me :-) )