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.

The WEEK Junior

Happy to appear in The Week Junior! My goal of continuing to benefit the Alzheimer's community is a passionate one! A simple puzzle can help bring a sense of accomplishment to people struggling with Alzheimer's disease. Shared jigsaw puzzle solving is a wonderful activity for both caregivers and the loved ones afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. If you would like to volunteer for our organization or donate puzzles please email me at puzzles2remember@gmail.com #puzzletime #endalz

 

Changemaker Challenge Award

https://www.bezosfamilyfoundation.org/story/celebrating-changemakers-with-big-ideas-and-bright-futures The Changemaker Challenge Award celebrated 6 youths selected from 57 countries and all 50 states. I was very honored to have been selected. Ordinary youth can create change when they are faced with challenges.

Awardee Hailey Richman (2021) | The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

In 2021, I received an amazing honor. I received the Power of Children Award from the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. I shared the national honor with 6 other youth members who have acted as social impact leaders. There is a permanent exhibit at the museum featuring the young people who have received the award. We hope it inspires children and encourages them to make a difference in the world!

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

Stay for a Little While

This video still resonates with me! The beneficial effects of children on those with dementia is so strong.

How Ottawa Charge's Zoe Boyd navigated family tragedy to achieve pro hockey

This story resonates with me. I was a young caregiver to my grandmother, and Zoe was a caregiver to her mother who suffered traumatic brain injury. We need more stories for youth members. We are not alone. LOVE ALWAYS REMAINS

MEET A CANADIAN TEEN GIFTED WITH A SUPER-POWERED MEMORY | W5 INVESTIGATION

Good Morning America

This picture popped up on my Google photo memories today. I was only 9 year old, but it was the start of my journey serving the Alzheimer's community. It was amazing meeting the other two social impact leaders, Brandon and Katie! Will Smith was very kind and mentioned how Alzheimer's disease impacted his life as well!

How Puzzle Time Began!

 

Our Brazilian Volunteers! Thank you so much!

The hugs are the best part!

 

Vitamin D

 I just read an article from the National Institute of Health about the importance of Vitamin D, not only is it good for your bone and muscle health but low levels could triple the risk of Alzheimer's diseaseVitamin D could be an "anti-dementia" pill

November Is National Caregivers Month!

 

November is National Caregivers Month!  Progress has been made in support of caregivers, however there is more that needs to be done!

There are more than 5.4 million kids who are acting as caregivers to family members who have a physical or mental illness, associated with aging or disease or other condition (National Alliance for Caregiving)

We are interested in helping other caregiving youth! 

1. We have online peer to peer support groups!

2. We provide free counseling with mental health professionals in group Webinars

3. We will provide community service hours to caregiving youth!

Contact us! We are here for you!

Fill out our form or message us and let us know how we can help you!

Diana Legacy Award

 It was such an honor to receive the Diana Legacy Award! I had to fortune to meet His Royal Highness, Prince William, and Prince Harry via Zoom. It warms my heart that the plight of Alzheimer's disease and the toll it takes on young people is receiving worldwide recognition.

Diana Legacy Award

Health Disparities And Alzheimer's Disease

 When I was 10 years old I attended the National Alzheimer's Summit in Washington, DC. I was an invited speaker addressing the burden of young carers for family members with Alzheimer's disease. I wanted to readdress some startling facts about the DISPARITIES in the Alzheimer's communities:

• African Americans are not asked to participate in clinical trials as much as as other racial groups, even though they have higher levels of diagnoses.
• African Americans do not have the same access to Alzheimer's medications
• 13% of Hispanics are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease
• The majority of elderly members in LGBT communities do not have children and are lacking in family members. 
• Landmark study indicate that lack of healthcare access, compound discrimination, and caregiving
• 40% of caregivers in the latino communities are millennials. 
• WE NEED TO TAKE THE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES OUT OF THE MARGINS!

•  Disparities on Intergenerational Caregiving - Please view this video to hear me speak and the incredible panelists in which I shared the floor.