.

Puzzles To Remember

PUZZLES TO REMEMBER is a 501(c)3 organization that provides puzzles to nursing homes, veterans facilities, and other facilities that care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients. Dr. Max Wallack founded Puzzles To Remember in 2008, and continues to act as an advisor and mentor. Hailey Richman is the Executive Director of PuzzlesToRemember. Since 2011, Hailey has been distributing puzzles to nursing facilities around the globe. Hailey is also the founder of KidCaregivers.com, where she provides advice for children dealing with dementia in their family members. Hailey has begun an international program called PuzzleTime which involves pairing youth members with people with Alzheimer's for an hour of shared jigsaw puzzle solving. Dr. Max Wallack serves as a mentor to the KidCaregivers program.

If you have puzzles that you would like to donate, please contact us at Puzzles2Remember@gmail.com and we will find a location near you where you can bring your puzzles. We can also provide you with a donation letter so that you can claim the value of your puzzles as a tax deduction.

To see a short video from WCVB Ch. 5 "BOSTON STRONG" about Max's efforts on behalf of Alzheimer's patients, click here.

To see a short video about Hailey's Puzzle Time Program, click here.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

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

Share

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."



 

Read More....

Posted by Max Wallack at 5:59 PM 0 comments

Sunday, September 1, 2013

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

Share

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.
 •

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."
   


Read More....

Posted by Max Wallack at 2:04 PM 0 comments

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
PUZZLES TO REMEMBER was founded in 2008 by Max Wallack, in memory of his great-grandmother, Gertrude Finkelstein, who died of Alzheimer's disease in 2007.
Puzzles To Remember is registered in Massachusetts as a public charity. Contributions are welcome, and are tax deductible under sec. 501(c.)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

For more information, write to us at Puzzles2Remember@gmail.com