Puzzles To Remember: July 2011

Puzzles To Remember

PUZZLES TO REMEMBER is a youth led 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias through jigsaw puzzles, cognitive engagement, and social connection. Led by Executive Director Hailey Richman, Puzzles To Remember has distributed more than 236,000 puzzles valued at over $2 million to more than 5,000 memory care communities, nursing homes, veterans facilities, senior centers, and other organizations across all 50 states and 16 countries. Our programs have benefited more than one million people while diverting approximately 148 tons of puzzles from landfills through donation and reuse. Puzzles To Remember also promotes intergenerational connection through Puzzle Time, which brings young people together with individuals living with dementia for shared puzzle solving, conversation, and companionship. Our mission is to provide engaging and purposeful activities that promote connection, participation, and joy while enhancing the quality of life of those affected by dementia. Donate Puzzles If you have puzzles you would like to donate, please contact us at Puzzles2Remember@gmail.com. We will help identify a location where your puzzles can benefit individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Donation acknowledgment letters are available upon request.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Puzzles For Alzheimer's Patients Delivered to Eight Nursing Facilities Today

By Max Wallack
Puzzles to Remember

From time to time, I enjoy hand delivering puzzles to nursing facilities. Since many of the recently donated puzzles were high quality and quite heavy, I decided to save shipping costs. Today, I hand delivered these puzzles to 8 different facilities around Boston.

Several activity directors were very happy, telling me that their residents love to do puzzles. Many were worried that there would be a cost and relieved when I assured them that the puzzles were free.

Some residents who noticed the puzzles wanted to begin working on them right away. It was great to see their enthusiasm. I was happy to have given them something to look forward to.

It brought me right back to the feelings I had three years ago when I first began distributing puzzles.

Max Wallack is a student at Boston University Academy. His great grandmother, Gertrude, suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Max is the founder of PUZZLES TO REMEMBER. PTR is a project that provides puzzles to nursing homes and veterans institutions that care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Reactions to the Alzheimer’s PuzzlesToRemember by Springbok

By Max Wallack
Puzzles to Remember

The following is a quote from Marlene Lesley, the Senior Program Coordinator at the Wilson Health Care Center in Maryland:

“Residents love the puzzles. Yes, there was a lady with dementia (that I recall.) For her to be successful was a great relief. And, two people who worked it together and came out of their shells helping each other.”

I also received the following photograph that says more than words can say:

Max Wallack is a student at Boston University Academy. His great grandmother, Gertrude, suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Max is the founder of PUZZLES TO REMEMBER. PTR is a project that provides puzzles to nursing homes and veterans institutions that care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Nestlé Very Best in Youth Award

By Max Wallack
Puzzles to Remember

As part of my Nestlé Very Best in Youth Award, I was invited to spend time in Los Angeles as a guest of Nestlé USA. I had a very wonderful time there, as well as some unforgettable experiences.

I invite you to read about my trip in my article on the Alzheimer's Reading Room.

Max Wallack is a student at Boston University Academy. His great grandmother, Gertrude, suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Max is the founder of PUZZLES TO REMEMBER. PTR is a project that provides puzzles to nursing homes and veterans institutions that care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients.

Ravensburger Donates Puzzles For Alzheimer's Patients

By Max Wallack
Puzzles to Remember

Today, PuzzlesToRemember received a donation of 49 beautiful puzzles from Ravensburger.

Ravensburger has been making a yearly donation of puzzles since 2009.
Many of these puzzles have large sized pieces to make the pieces easier to grasp. These puzzles, mostly of about 300 pieces, are especially good for those with Early Cognitive Impairment.

Staying cognitively active can help these patients remain functional in society.
Thank you, Ravensburger.

Max Wallack is a student at Boston University Academy. His great grandmother, Gertrude, suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Max is the founder of PUZZLES TO REMEMBER. PTR is a project that provides puzzles to nursing homes and veterans institutions that care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

19 Additional Facilities to be Supplied with Puzzles

By Max Wallack
Puzzles to Remember

Nineteen additional large boxes of puzzles were packed today to be shipped to an additional nineteen Alzheimer’s facilities throughout the country. These facilities include several homes that care specifically for our veterans with Alzheimer’s disease. I hope they bring comfort to many patients.

Happy July 4!

Max Wallack is a student at Boston University Academy. His great grandmother, Gertrude, suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Max is the founder of PUZZLES TO REMEMBER. PTR is a project that provides puzzles to nursing homes and veterans institutions that care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients.