Sunday 27 January 2019

One Gold Award Girl Scout's Contribution to Azheimer's Patients and Families

Yesterday, I was delighted to discover this message in my email inbox: 

Hello! My name is Isabelle Richter. I am a Bee Cave, Texas, resident. I'm a junior at my high school and a long-time Girl Scout. I am currently working on my Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement that can be earned (similar to the Eagle Scout award). 
Local Alzheimer's Program
For my Gold Award project, I decided to create a reminisce and sensory stimulation program here in Lakeway in the memory care area of Legacy Oaks right by Baylor, Scott and White Medical Center.  The program is complete with memory kits, multi-sensory activities, and “destination stations” benefitting the Alzheimer’s and dementia residents. I chose this Gold Award Project because my Papa (grandfather) in California was diagnosed three years ago with early-onset Alzheimer’s.  I know first-hand how important it is to help a person with Alzheimer’s remain engaged, and there was a need for improvement in this area in our local community.  My project will benefit those with memory care needs by providing social stimulation, improving their quality of life, replenishing their spirit, encouraging them to try, and will provide an opportunity for them to build relationships with caregivers while boosting cognitive stimulation and delivering boredom relief. 




Website for Caregivers, Family, Friends
In addition to the program at Legacy Oaks, I have created a free website called Memory Lane for Alz (www.memorylaneforalz.com) and I thought it might be something of interest to pass along to caregivers on your wonderful blog.  I created it to help others gain information, support and ideas as caregivers, family and friends of those with memory challenges.  The website includes background on my project, pictures and descriptions of the destination stations, and easy, how-to videos for all the activities so they can be replicated by caregivers.  The site also includes communication tips, links to wonderful information and organizations for seniors, Alzheimer’s patients and families, and information and language translation on the global impact of Alzheimer’s.  Be sure to visit, take a look and refer others to the site!

Thank you, Isabelle, for your hard work and your creative contribution to patients with Alzheimer's and dementia and their families! This is a wonderful project - I encourage everyone to check out THIS WEBSITE for lots of ideas about how to stimulate memory, conversation and engagement amongst the whole family!

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