From Caregiver to Creator: How a Childhood Moment Became a Global Alzheimer’s Initiative

When I was four years old, I sat beside my grandmother solving puzzles, one of the few activities that still brought her joy as Alzheimer’s changed her world. In those moments, I saw something I would only later understand. Even as memory faded, connection remained. I became involved in Puzzles to Remember and grew into the role of CEO, expanding its reach to thousands of memory care communities,globally. Through this work, I focused on how simple tools like puzzles can support emotional engagement and dignity in Alzheimer’s care. Now, that journey has come full circle. Springbok Puzzles,collaborated with us to further develop and share our vision. The photo on the packaging is of me at age four with my grandmother, doing exactly what started it all. This experience reminded me that innovation is not always about starting something new. It is about recognizing what works, building on it, and bringing it to more people. And for me, it all started with a puzzle, and the love I had for my grandma.

🧠 What Your Sense of Smell Can Tell Us About Alzheimer’s (And Why That’s Kind of Amazing)

🧠 A new Nature Communications study found that cells in the nose show early signs of Alzheimer’s, even before symptoms appear. This suggests the sense of smell may offer a simple window into early brain changes. Why this matters to me At the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, where my project received a 3rd Place Grand Award, I found that smell based sensory stimulation can improve emotional engagement in a geriatric population. This research helps explain why. Final thought If Alzheimer’s begins in ways we cannot see, but might be able to smell, it changes how we think about detection and care. Sometimes the most overlooked senses hold the most important answers.

📚 Source https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-70099-7 D’Anniballe VM, Kim S, Finlay JB, Wang M, Ko T, Luo S, Whitson HE, Johnson KG, Goldstein BJ (2026). Olfactory cleft biopsy analysis of Alzheimer’s disease pathobiology across disease stages. Nature Communications, 17:2245.

Exciting News!

Exciting News! I’m incredibly honored to share that I have been named a 3rd Place Grand Award Winner at the 2025 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) My project, “Using a Multimodal Approach of Aromatherapy and Jigsaw Puzzles to Improve the Emotional Well-Being of Geriatric Patients Living with Alzheimer’s Disease,” explored non-pharmaceutical interventions to enhance emotional states in memory care settings. Grateful to Society for Science, Regeneron, Dr. Serena McCalla who gave me an opportunity to showcase my findings and empowering me. I appreciate my mentor, Raymond Tesar for continuous encouragement and guidance with my research. Thankful to the communities that I work with through Kid Caregivers and Puzzles to Remember for their ongoing support. Sharing my work at ISEF alongside international peers committed to solving real-world problems strengthened my passion for using science to drive social impact.

How To Volunteer For Kid Caregivers/Puzzles To Remember

Every day I encounter young people that want to make a difference! If you would like to volunteer for our organization there are several options! 1. Set up a Puzzle Drive - Put large cardboard boxes in banks, libraries, office lobbies, schools, houses of worship, civic organizations, etc. Attach our flyer and request puzzle donations. Bring the puzzles to local memory care facilities! 2. Participate in Puzzle Time! Recruit 3-4 volunteers/friends and solve jigsaw puzzles for an hour, in a memory care facility in your area. We will provide the specialized jigsaw puzzles and help locate a facility. Visit the facility on a weekly/bi-weekly or monthly schedule. It is very rewarding! 3. Use social media to solicit donations of specialized therapeutic Alzheimer's puzzles (Springbok Puzzles To Remember puzzles). Bring the puzzles to memory care facilities/nursing homes/assisted living facilities. 4. Volunteer as a Peer Mentor to provide support for younger caregiving children 5. Become a youth Puzzle Ambassador - Recruit middle and high school students to participate in Puzzle Drives/Puzzle Time. Contact guidance counselors/administrators in local schools. (We have Puzzle Ambassadors in all 50 states and globally who can assist you!) 6. Become a Social Media Ambassador! We need to raise awareness on our websites/blogs. Run youth-led campaigns such as #caregivingstrong WE CAN AWARD COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS AND PRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE MEDALS!

Special Awards and Achievements

I have worked very hard on my research project using a nonpharmacological approach to improving mood and behavior for people living with Alzhiemer's disease. I would like to share these accomplisments: The American Psychological Association Award for achievement in research in psychological science at the New York State Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF) Finalist - Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) Issued by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Society for Science - March 2025 ISEF Finalist after winning first place at the New York State Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF) First Place in Behavioral Science - New York State Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF) ISEF Issued by New York State Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF) ISEF - March 2025 Top scorer in Behavioral and Social Sciences Catergory; competed against other projects in New York State I will be competing in Columbus, Ohio with international students! Very excited!

Kid Caregivers: A Manual for Kids About Alzheimer's Disease

Since the age of 5, I have been a caregiver to my grandmother, who battled Alzheimer's disease. In the United States, 1.8 million young people are also taking on caregiving roles. Through this experience, I gained valuable insights into managing the challenges of this disease from a young age. Exciting news! My upcoming book, Kid Caregivers: A Manual for Kids About Alzheimer's Disease, will be released in July. This photo essay captures our journey and how we coped together. I aim for it to serve as a source of support for other young individuals facing similar circumstances.