Max Wallack, A Remarkable Young Man

I just received a box with a donation of puzzles from "Puzzles To Remember", the brainchild of a young man whose great grandmother died of Alzheimer's in 2007.  As another person affected personally when my mother died with this disease in 2003, I understand how this disease changes caregivers forever.  Now, more on Max.......

Below is his mission, as posted on his website: http://www.puzzlestoremember.org/

"PUZZLES TO REMEMBER is a project that provides puzzles to nursing homes and other institutions that care for Alzheimer's patients.

WHY THIS APPROACH?

Other programs raise money for research, which is an important long-range goal. Our approach is to benefit Alzheimer's patients more immediately by providing activities that will bring them pleasure while also slowing down the progression of the disease. Instead of focusing on far-off goals, our approach will realize a more immediate benefit to today's patients.

Studies have shown that working puzzles is a form of mental activity that not only engages and stimulates Alzheimer's patients, it also slows down the progression of the disease and thus provides important salutary benefits.

This is very important for patients in the early stages of the disease, including those who have not yet been diagnosed. For these people, the working of puzzles and similar mental activities can significantly postpone the onset of symptoms or avoid these symptoms altogether. Painting and other forms of artistic and creative expression also have strong, beneficial effects, and often result in improvement in overall brain function."

All I know is that when these puzzles get distributed to our Alzheimer's clients, there will be a lot of very smiling faces because as I've learned, seniors love puzzles.  As a former Activities Director in a nursing home, I realized early on that puzzle-making is something cognitively impaired individuals can continue to work on and feel a sense of accomplishment when it's done!
 
To help Max in his continued pursuit of suppling these puzzles, you may go directly to the "DONATE" button at the top of his web page to make a contribution.  Or if you'd like to send a contribution of your new or gently used puzzles they would also be put to good use.  What a remarkable young man and what a great program!   http://puzzlestoremember.org/