Puzzles To Remember

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Vital Stats

Max W

Natick, MA

  • people helped15001
  • People Doing It 1705

The Problem

1. Help slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia; 2. Help delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia; 3. Provide a peaceful and calming activity for a frequently agitated patient population. 4. Provide, through my web site, links to current research on Alzheimer's disease and links to patient and family support groups.

Plan of Action

I collect puzzles and distribute them to facilities that care for Alzheimer's and other dementia patients. I have collected almost 2000 puzzles to date, and distributed them to over 85 facilities across five states and in Canada. I have given many talks about my efforts to schools, Rotary clubs, and other organizations. I have successfully enlisted the help of students at several schools, churches, and synagogues in the collection of puzzles. My goal for the coming year is to collect an additional 2000 puzzles and distribute them more widely. In addition to my ongoing commitment to general facilities that care for these patients, I would also like to reach the many hospitals and nursing facilities that care specifically for veterans afflicted with these diseases. I have recently received 501(c)3 tax exempt status, which will enable me to seek funding for shipping costs so that I may distribute puzzles more widely. I have received frequent positive feedback (some of it posted at www.puzzlestoremember.org), and my project was featured in McLean Hospital's 2008 annual report (http://www.mclean.harvard.edu/about/annual/), pages 16-17.

Project Updates

PuzzlesToRemember has now collected over 5400 puzzles and distributed them to over 400 facilities. The most important recent accomplishment has been the production and availability of Springbok's Puzzles To Remember. Working together Springbok Puzzle Company and PuzzlesToRemember have produced a line of jigsaw puzzles made specifically to meet the needs of Alzheimer's patients. These puzzles have a choice of 12 or 36 large, easy to manipulate pieces, bright colors, and non childish, serene memory provoking themes. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The puzzles are already helping many people. These puzzles can be seen at www.SpringbokCares.com.

By now, PuzzlesToRemember has collected and distributed over 5,000 puzzles, worth around $40,000, to facilities that care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients. These puzzles have been sent to over 380 facilities, located in every state, plus parts of Canada and Mexico. About 70 of these facilities are places that care for our veterans with Alzheimer's disease. In addition, PuzzlesToRemember has worked together with Springbok puzzles to produce puzzles made to specifically meet the needs of Alzheimer's patients. These puzzles, which will become available this month, will have a choice of 12 or 36 large, easy to manipulate pieces, and brightly colored, memory-provoking images.

By now, PuzzlesToRemember has collected over 3400 puzzles, worth about $30,000. These puzzles have been sent to just about every state plus parts of Canada. Over 150 facilities that care for Alzheimer's patients have received puzzles, including over 50 facilities that care for our veterans with Alzheimer's disease.

PuzzlesToRemember is currently in talks with a puzzle manufacturer in an attempt to create puzzles made specifically for the needs of Alzheimer's patients. These puzzles would have 6-60 large pieces, bright colors, and serene memory-jogging scenes.

PuzzlesToRemember maintains a website, www.PuzzlesToRemember.org, where links to current research and links to patient and family support groups are provided.

PuzzlesToRemember was the subject of an article in Care ADvantage magazine by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. Here is the url:
http://www.afacareadvantage.org/issues/ca_spring10.pdf#page=14

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