Puzzles To Remember: September 2013

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, September 7, 2013

A Review of “Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? An Explanation of Alzheimer’s Disease for Children”

By Max Wallack

Puzzles to Remember

Yesterday, I received this review from Carrie, whose family owns KDYZ International in Singapore. Their company sells toys for children; it also has a wonderful and innovative branch called CARE, Creative Aids and Resources for the Elderly, that sells a variety of toys and tools to aid the elderly, including Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.

Here is Carrie's review:

“I read the book three times between 7 am 12 noon today ( in between distractions of breakfast and phone calls.) Twice I read to myself and once to my son (14) and daughter (12). They love them book; they said it's very inspiring and it must be written with love.

And I love it - I also find it even better when I read it out loud!

Next week, I shall read to some preschool children and send you photos and their reactions.

I like that the language is simple, the font is big and clean, with not too many words on one page; illustrations are also relatable.
(The school bus, the messy room with toys)

I like that you interjected some humor (the toothbrush in the toaster), and at the same time , the child is also allowed to feel sad ( Halloween incident) --- it is a subtle and good way to let the child know that it can be a roller coaster journey.

I like that it provides hope (research) and also inspires the child to contribute their individual best to find a cure.

I like that you give simple practical solutions (red plate, door bell) --- I can even create a lesson plan here for kindergarten class.

I like that you explain the disease in simple terms and illustrations (healthy cell/cell with Alzheimer's disease)..

Love it love it.

Well done!

Carrie”

and this morning:

"I just thought about it this morning when i woke up - every school library should have at least one copy if not more!!!!"

Carrie ordered 40 copies for distribution in Singapore!

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. Max is also a coauthor of "Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? An Explanation of Alzheimer's Disease for Children."

25,000 Puzzles Have Been Provided to Alzheimer's Patients by PuzzlesToRemember

By Max Wallack
Puzzles to Remember

September 1 marks the beginning of Alzheimer's month.

In honor of this date, I have packed 8 large boxes of puzzles to be shipped to nursing facilities this week. I have also found homes for puzzles in an additional 14 facilities in the past week. Two of these were in Australia!

As of today, PuzzlesToRemember has distributed over 25,000 puzzles, at no cost, to nursing facilities. In addition, many, many Springbok PuzzlesToRemember, puzzles that I helped develop, have been sold to caregivers for use at home with their family members.

This November, at least one new Springbok PuzzleToRemember will be available. For some time, people have been asking for a puzzle more suitable for males. In November, we will be making available an Alzheimer's puzzle of sailboats. Other new puzzles may be produced, also.
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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. Max is also an author of "Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? An Explanation of Alzheimer's Disease For Children."