The Storied Memory
When we began creating short stories for people living with dementia to read aloud, we were surprised by the journey that this simple exercise created. As people began reading our prepared stories, they started telling us stories from their own … Continue reading
Let It Be
Easy to say; really, really hard to do. Does the idea of letting go mean that we are giving up, that this is all there is, that things will never be better, that we just have to sigh, shrug our … Continue reading
An Alzheimer’s Valentine
We were impossibly young and so beautifulWhen we met and fell in love. You were the cool guy from the big cityI was the shy small town girl. I bring you photographs of those days long agoYou look and smile … Continue reading
My Hero
*[This story is based on many people we have met during our memory support work. It is fiction but grounded in the reality of Alzheimer’s.] I wish there was someone I could talk to about this. Everyone here is very … Continue reading
Some Tips to Help Celebrate the Holidays
One of the best ideas I ever heard for helping caregivers was from Denise Brown (the creator of the web site, Caregiving!). Denise encourages her readers to create a “Job Jar.” She asks caregivers to write on slips of … Continue reading
Where Does Memory Live?
My dad often said, “Karen is just like a duck. Every day she wakes up, it’s a brand new world.” I was never sure if dad was saying something good or bad about me, but this statement does bear some … Continue reading
The Raven and the Writing Desk
The Importance of Category Sort Exercises for People Living with Alzheimer’s We walked into the Alzheimer’s unit after our lunch break and instantly heard the raised voices. There was a real donnybrook going on in the dining room and we … Continue reading
Never Give Up on Anyone!
We have learned over the years to look for the strengths and spared abilities in people living with Alzheimer’s. One of the abilities that we count as a great strength is the ability to read. Many people living with Alzheimer’s … Continue reading
Priming the Pump of Memory
There are ways to help prime the pump of memory using techniques that we have pioneered to help people find new ways to be successful. One of the most effective techniques we use to prime the pump of memory is … Continue reading
But Who Knows Where or When?
Did you know that there are different memory systems at work in our brains? One of those systems is the declarative memory system. This is the memory system that affects short term memory, language, facts, recent episodes and executive function … Continue reading
