I grew up helping care for my great grandmother who had Alzheimer’s disease and lived with my family.  I witnessed her declining abilities, memory, and agitation. I visited her in Alzheimer’s wards in hospitals and nursing facilities near the end of her life. Alzheimer’s patients are a frequently agitated population. However, I noticed that when these patients were engaged in doing puzzles, they appeared calmer, brighter, and “more there.” After my great grandmother’s death when I was 10, I researched the effects of doing puzzles, and I found that working on puzzles has been shown to have an extremely positive effect on Alzheimer’s patients.  I decided to begin collecting puzzles and provide them for these patients.

As a Davidson Young Scholar, I recognized, at a very young age, that I had the ability to be able to pursue my goals.  When I was only 5, Jan Davidson, the founder of the Davidson Young Scholars Organization, impressed on me the importance of giving back to society.  Since then, I have always believed passionately that anyone who has the ability to help another person has the responsibility to help them.  Since 2003, I have invented several award-winning products, some patent-pending, all aimed at helping others.  I believe that accomplishments are the result of hard work, and I am a VERY hard worker, always putting 200% effort into my commitments.  Even though I would not consider myself naturally an extrovert, I am often called upon to transform myself into that role in order to lead and encourage others by my example, by my presentations in schools and at rotary clubs, or by various media. I believe I am successful at leading because my passion and hard work are transparent.   I am a firm believer in microphilanthropy:  if everyone just did something to help another person, our world would be a much better place.

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are frequent among the elderly.  According to the WHO, there are 5.3 million sufferers in the U.S, 35 million worldwide, and this number is projected to double as our population ages.  The prevalence rates rise with age to about 39% of those aged 90-95. Every 70 seconds, another person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  These diseases are very debilitating to patients and families, causing a slow but total loss of all functions, ending in death. With no cure in sight, one can only expect the rate of Alzheimer’s to increase.   Through research, I learned that working puzzles can alleviate the symptoms, delay the onset, and slow down the progression of this disease.  Armed with this information, I decided to do something to make a difference in the lives of Alzheimer’s patients, and PuzzlesToRemember was born.

In 2008, when I was 12, I founded PuzzlesToRemember  and set up a website at www.PuzzlesToRemember.org.  In 2009, PuzzlesToRemember became an official nonprofit corporation in Massachusetts. In September, it became a 501c3 federal tax exempt organization. After a presentation to a Rotary Club, several local lawyers volunteered to help guide me, pro bono, through the incorporation and 501c3 processes. I give motivational talks to students and civic groups stressing the importance of community service and microphilanthropy. Several schools, comprising over 500 students, are helping PuzzlesToRemember collect puzzles in 2010. PuzzlesToRemember has been praised in the 2008 Annual Report of McLean Hospital and in a recent article in Advantage Care Magazine by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. I was also invited to give a poster session presentation at the Massachusetts/New Hampshire Alzheimer’s Association’s annual conference.

PuzzlesToRemember (PTR) has a single straightforward goal – to help people suffering from Alzheimer's disease live a better life.  PuzzlesToRemember accomplishes this mission by accepting tax deductible contributions and new (or gently used) puzzles and redistributing them to Alzheimer’s caregiving facilities in the United States and Canada. Since 2008, PuzzlesToRemember has collected over 4000 puzzles, worth over $30,000, and distributed them to over 220 facilities including every state and two Canadian provinces.  The feedback I get from people in the Alzheimer's caregiving community indicates that puzzles work, that they are needed, and that they make a difference in the lives of patients using them. Research shows that the impact on Alzheimer’s patients of doing creative activities such as puzzles can be as significant as taking medications. This is just now being understood.  The portion of the brain that deals with creative endeavors such as puzzles, art, and music, is one of the very last portions of the brain that is affected by Alzheimer’s disease.  In fact, creative activities are being shown to present one of the best methods of communicating with Alzheimer’s patients.

I recognize the need to spread the word about PuzzlesToRemember.  On an invited trip to Washington D.C. last April, I discussed PuzzlesToRemember with several Senators.   I have addressed many large student groups, encouraging others to become involved in community service.  My talk at a Rotary Club meeting resulted in free advice that enabled me to achieve 501c3 status.  I supply the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Association with puzzles that they use with newly identified patients. I encourage libraries, churches, and synagogues to collect puzzles and "spread the word" through their newsletters. PuzzlesToRemember was a focus of a recent edition of Chronicle on WCVB TV and of an episode of Bizkids on PBS.   Currently, nine women in Melbourne, Australia are working on becoming incorporated as a nonprofit there in order to become PuzzlesToRemember, Australian Sector.

I also write frequently for the AlzheimersReadingRoom.com, sharing my knowledge with Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers. This is also helping me meet new people who are helping with puzzles and raising money.  I see my role expanding to include moderating a support group for children and young adults dealing with these illnesses in their families.

In addition to the puzzles I collect from the general public, many puzzle companies have been very generous with their contributions.  Both Ceaco and SunsOut have contributed hundred of puzzles to PuzzlesToRemember.  However, the greatest need I have found is that the very best puzzles for Alzheimer’s patients are puzzles with few pieces, large pieces, and colorful serene themes.  Unfortunately, these puzzles are almost nonexistent.  Even an adult with Alzheimer’s is still an adult who doesn’t enjoy puzzles about Dora and Sponge Bob.  Soon, it became apparent to me that Alzheimer’s patients could benefit even more from puzzles made specifically to meet their needs. 

I gave much effort to trying to figure out a way to provide the most beneficial puzzles for Alzheimer’s patients.  I consulted with many experts in the field.  Finally, I contacted Springbok puzzles and explained my cause.  Wonderfully, the CEO of Springbok puzzles agreed to produce these special puzzles.  At their own expense, Springbok has purchased additional equipment and is handmaking the appropriate dies to produce 12 and 35 piece puzzles, with large sized pieces, and colorful, peaceful, and non-childish themes.  Hopefully, these puzzles will be available by fall 2010. 

Obviously, what began, just two years ago, as a volunteer experience of collecting puzzles for local Alzheimer’s facilities, has taken on a life of its own, becoming an international effort.  My own life has changed dramatically since I regularly spend over 20 hours a week working on PuzzlesToRemember.  The sense of pride and personal satisfaction I get from my efforts is immeasurable.  I now realize I was left a legacy by my great grandmother.  My efforts will bring me full circle, and I will become a geriatric psychiatrist, spending my life helping care for Alzheimer’s patients.