I Lost My Best Friend

 On April 14, 2020, my mom received the worst phone call of her life. The doctor called to tell her that Grandma died.

 I am still in shock. We all are heartbroken. The likely cause was COVID-19. Grandma is now a statistic along with 800,000 other Americans who were lost to this horrible virus.  

Grandma was 96 years old. I never got a chance to say "good bye". It was really hard! Due to COVID-19 lockdowns I could no longer visit my sweet grandma. 

She never understood why I "abandoned her. I tried very hard to be cheerful for the Zoom sessions with her. This is the last picture of us together. I am not the only kid who lost a family member. 

I will always love my grandma, and will continue to provide a shoulder to lean on, tips, and support to other caregiving youth. I know it is what grandma would have wanted. I know she is proud of me. 

Here Our Voices! 117th Congress (2021-2022) Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Act H.R. 1474

As you may know, I am an Alzheimer's Advocate and have been sharing my young voice for many years!  Hopefully this bill will be granted! This bill authorizes grants to increase support and training services for caregivers and families of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. Also the department of Human Services may award these grants to community organizations and health care and social service providers.

Puzzle Time Spreads to 4 States and 7 Countries

 PuzzleTime is a program begun by PuzzlesToRemember and KidCaregivers.  In addition to supplying a dementia facility with donated Springbok PuzzlesToRemember, teens are paired up with each facility.  Usually monthly or bimonthly, these teens visit dementia facilities, bringing these puzzles with them.  They spend a few hours at the facility, interacting with the residents and helping them do the puzzles. The students receive community service credits for their efforts.

Both the students and the residents find the experience to be very rewarding, and both groups always look forward to the next session.  Below is a photo of a group of students showing up for PuzzleTime at Azalea Gardens, a dementia care facility in Tallahassee Florida.

Puzzle Time In Delaware

Residents at the Lodge Lane Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility in Wilmington, DE, recently enjoyed an afternoon of doing puzzles with young people.  The puzzles used were the Springbok PuzzlesToRemember, puzzles made specifically to meet the needs of those with dementia.

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!

What a wonderful use of the Springbok PuzzlesToRemember!

If you know students who would like to volunteer, or if you know about a facility that would like PUZZLE TIME, please email kidcaregivers@gmail.com 

Hasbro, Brown University team up to develop A.I. pets for seniors