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

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!

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!

YOU TUBE Video Of My Interview on Alzheimer's Speaks With Lori La Bey!

Excited to share the interview with Lori La Bey from ALZHEIMER'S SPEAKS! 

 

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.

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

Click here for the link to the radio show

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!