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Kid Caregivers

An intergenerational program to benefit Alzheimer’s patients, and provide support to caregiving youth

Kid Caregivers (www.kidcaregivers.com) is a 501c(3) organization that was founded by Hailey Richman, age 11.5, who has a grandmother with Alzheimer’s disease. She has been a caregiver for her grandma since she was 4 years old. Hailey was named a Hasbro Community Action Hero and a Prudential Spirit of Community National Honoree for her dedication to Alzheimer’s work. She is also the Associate Director of Puzzles To Remember. The mission of Kid Caregivers is to provide support to caregiving youth; and intergenrational programs to benefit the dementia community.

Max Wallack is Associate Director and Advisor at Kid Caregivers. He is a Harvard Medical School student, currently doing research at the Center for Neurological Imaging. He was a caregiver to his great grandma who had Alzheimer’s disease. He is the founder of Puzzles To Remember www.puzzlestoremember.org a 501c3 organization that has supplied over 100,000 puzzles to Alzheimer’s facilities.

1.4 million kids are acting as caregivers in the United States

47 million people worldwide, and 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease THERE IS NO CURE!

But Kid Caregivers has a program which offers support and helps slow the progression.

Kid Caregivers has chapters in over 16 states, and 4 countries, and is rapidly expanding!

•         In person and online peer-to-peer support for caregiving youth

•         Intergenerational Alzheimer’s programs (Puzzle Time and Creative Arts)

•         Community service credit awarded for civic engagement

We are recruiting youth, ages 9-17. For more information about volunteering and becoming a Global Ambassador visit us at: www.kidcaregivers.com or email us at: kidcaregivers@gmail.com

If you are interested in having Puzzle Time at your care facility or nursing home please contact us at kidcaregivers@gmail.com! We will donate therapeutic Alzheimer’s puzzles to your facility, and locate students to volunteer with your residents!

We are always looking to expand!

All contributions to Kid Caregivers are tax-deductible, under Sec.501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. EIN 61-1888629

Wish List

•      Low piece count puzzles

•      iPod Shuffles

Dementia Has Beautiful Moments - a special video with a deaf Alzheimer's patient

I love this video: click here: Video

I love this video. the daughter does not correct her mother. She "goes into HER world." It is the kind and right thing to do, in my opinion. It is inspiring and I would love to share with the deaf community as well.

Clubs Help People with Alzheimer's and Other Forms of Dementia

"Even though there is no cure, there are resources out there! There are still things that can be done to have a fuller lifestyle, even after diagnosis! "Alzheimer's Club(A study has shown that MD's are not giving families information when a diagnosis is made). I think it is very important for families to realize there is respite care, there are activities, and mostly, support! It is very important for families to know there are things you can do! Hoping that my "Kid Caregivers" support group helps others out there. We are NOT alone! 

Your Skin Never Gets Alzheimer's: It Always Remembers Caresses and Scars

The Sense Of Touch Always Remains - article

Grandma and I always hold hands, hug and kiss.  Grandma has her good days and her bad days.  The one thing that always remains is how good it makes her feel if we are touching each other.  Your family member may not always remember who you are, but they know that a hug feels good.  It is especially important for loved ones who live in a nursing home. The staff at a facility takes care of the person, but they do not show physical affection.  The sense of touch is the last sense to remain, up until the end of life.

Advice for Alzheimer's Caregivers

                 Advice for Alzheimer's Caregivers   Michael Kirby Smith (New York Times)

We all need things to do.  People with an Alzheimer's diagnosis have a big change to their lives. Sadness and depression happens a lot when people have do have many things to do.
Here is a helpful article.  The article offers lots of tips. Sometimes people living with Alzheimer's disease become depressed, due to a "lack of stimulating activities".  There are fun activities such a joining a choir and museum programs. My favorite activity is Jigsaw puzzle-solving, alone (if the puzzle piece count is appropriate) or with a partner, which provides a lot of stimulation, and a purpose.                                                   

The Intergenerational Care Project

There is a new trend which is combining elder care with child care.  There is a pilot program in Australia called the Intergenerational Care Project. Here is the link: Intergenerational Care Project
I think it sounds like a great idea!  Although, I am guessing it would have its pros and cons.
Would love to hear from my readers!  What are your thoughts?  Is it a good idea?  Or too much work for the carers?  What are the advantages/risks?

Video  I have a lot of thoughts about this idea.  I think it could work out well.  I can only speak about my own experience. I observe that seniors with Alzheimer's really adore little kids. Many dementia patients enjoy dolls (it reminds them of their parenting days). Interacting with little ones in a day care would be nice for them. BUT, I do think that it could be difficult for the staff at the facility.  I wonder if the behavior of Alzheimer's patients would be "better" as they "parent" the little kids in the facility. Perhaps Alzheimer's patients would be more cooperative regarding their own care. I am glad that Australia is trying to find solutions involving the care of Alzheimer's patients.

I do know that MY intergenerational programs are a BIG hit.  We are expanding PUZZLE TIME to 17 states and 5 countries!  The kids and seniors really enjoy the whole process.  Pairing young people and seniors is a winning idea!