Puzzles To Remember: January 2013

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Alzheimer's Puzzles - Sharing Joy!

By Max Wallack
Puzzles to Remember
Everyone knows that a picture can be worth a thousand words. These pictures say it all! Watch the faces as the puzzle gets completed!

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Max Wallack is a student at Boston University and a Research Intern in the Molecular Psychiatry and Aging Laboratory in the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at Boston University School of Medicine. 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, January 19, 2013

Smiles For Alzheimer's Patients

By Max Wallack

Puzzles to Remember

About a year ago, I was contacted by Gabe and Daniela Badescu, a couple that was caring for four Alzheimer’s patients in their facility in Temecula CA, called Temecu Hills Assisted Living.

They had been searching for beneficial activities for their patients, especially ones that might bring a sense of accomplishment. They asked if I knew of any puzzles that might meet this need.

In response, I sent 2 Springbok PuzzlesToRemember.

After using the puzzles, Gabe wrote:

"Hi Max - we received the puzzle you sent us - Thank you! I've attached a picture of one our residents enjoying the puzzle. It is very rewarding for our residents to be able to participate in an activity where they can achieve rather than fail. It leads to satisfaction rather than frustration".

From my several correspondences with the Badescus, I knew that they were providing the kind of care that every Alzheimer’s patient should have!

The Badescus have since founded another Alzheimer’s facility nearby, Vintage Hills Assisted Living. Their new website is www.seniornest.com, and their facebook page is www.facebook.com/comforteldercare.

Several new Springbok PuzzlesToRemember are on the way to their new facility, where the puzzles are being used for the most lofty purpose: they make Alzheimer’s patients smile.

Max Wallack is a student at Boston University and a Research Intern in the Molecular Psychiatry and Aging Laboratory in the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at

Boston University School of Medicine. 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.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Alzheimer's Puzzles Donated in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King's Legacy

By Max Wallack

Puzzles to Remember

This weekend, PuzzlesToRemember will be donating specialized Alzheimer's puzzles to twenty facilities in Georgia and Alabama to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and his belief that everyone deserves equal treatment and respect.

Max Wallack is a student at Boston University and a Research Intern in the Molecular Psychiatry and Aging Laboratory in the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at

Boston University School of Medicine. His great grandmother, Gertrude, suffered from

Monday, January 14, 2013

Alzheimer's Helpers

By Max Wallack
PuzzlesToRemember

One hundred and twenty five sixth through eighth graders in Northern Kentucky will collect puzzles and bring them to nursing facilities in Northern Kentucky.

At Brighton Center, in an impoverished area of Northern Kentucky, a program called Youth Leadership Development offers an extensive after school program for teens ages 9 - 15. In this program, the youth go over their entire 34 week school curriculum, and they are encouraged to think about the future, including college and career fields.

The students are also encouraged to become involved in community service projects, helping them build self-esteem, confidence, and leadership skills.

I am proud to announce that, under the direction of Michelle Bullis, the Coordinator to the Youth Leadership Development program, 125 students will become involved in the work of PuzzlesToRemember. After collecting puzzles, these students will have an opportunity to deliver these puzzles and interact with patients in nursing facilities. This will be a win-win situation with confidence being inspired on both sides!

Ms. Bullis also plans to bring in speakers to talk with the youth about Alzheimer's disease. Ms. Bullis says her project is about "the youth taking control and learning through experience."

The Brighton Center also offers these teens a wealth of other opportunities. They have collected school supplies for needy students. They maintain a community garden. They write thank-you cards to our veterans. They also have a teen coalition that focuses on anti-bullying awareness and a drug free lifestyle.

All this is taking place in an area where there are 3,000 homeless youth and young adults! Yet, these students improve their own lives by helping others. This is philanthropy at its best!

As these students collect and deliver their puzzles to nursing and Alzheimer's facilities, I will post photos of their project and their success. You can learn more about the Brighton Center here.
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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

5 New Alzheimer's Puzzles Created by Springbok

By Max Wallack Puzzles to Remember

Springbok has created 5 new puzzles in their Springbok PuzzlesToRemember line. These are specialized puzzles for Alzheimer's patients. Here is what Springbok says about each puzzle in this series:

"This puzzle is from the specially created line of Springbok Puzzles: Puzzles to Remember. Designed for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease, the extra large pieces allow for easy gripping and minimize the frustration caused by regular-sized pieces. The artwork is chosen for its beauty, and is a sharp contrast to other puzzles with a similar piece count designed for children. Many customers value these puzzles for not only the aforementioned reasons, but also as a source of comfort, joy and as a way to connect with a loved one."

Here are images of the new puzzles. Clicking HERE should bring you to the Springbok site where they can be ordered:

All of these puzzles are 36 large sized pieces, with the exception of Coral Carnival, which is now available in 12 extra large sized pieces, as well as the 36 piece size.

Springbok has also donated 400 of these puzzles to PuzzlesToRemember. This puzzles will be sent to Alzheimer's facilities, Adult Day Care centers, and Memory Cafes.

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