Alder Allensworth writes children's story set to music

Mar 27, 2024 4:15 am

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Hello ,

A music therapist, registered nurse and hospice counselor, author Alder Allensworth has worked with both children and geriatrics, including those with Alzheimer’s disease. When her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she took note of the less than positive effect her mother’s behavioral changes had on the grandchildren (Alder’s nieces and nephews). She began looking for resources for young children.

The books she found that were written for children focused primarily on memory loss. “Alzheimer’s is much more than just memory loss,” states Alder, so calling upon her years of personal and professional experience, she teamed up with musician friend Brenda Freed to write a picture book for young children that explained Alzheimer’s. Brenda then set the story to music. View the video of Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer’s Disease Story Song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d9TbKWFPtM.

Alder soon realized more education for families would also be beneficial, so she and Brenda have also created a video awareness program entitled Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer's Awareness Program (MMAAP). Alder shares “The videos are unique because they are intended to be appealing and understandable by young children, yet informative for adults. Children and their families learn about Alzheimer’s and how to interact with a person who has the disease. EnJOYable activities are provided to create positive memories with their loved one, from diagnosis through the severe stage.”

Meet Alder and learn more about her animated book and Alzheimer’s awareness program:

Meet Alder

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Up Next for Book Club

Join us on April 30th at 7pm EST as we celebrate National Poetry Month with a gathering of poets featuring Sherri Levine, Stealing Flowers from the Neighbors; Sue Fagalde Lick, Gravel Road Ahead; Daniel Potts, MD, Bringing Art to Life; and Margaret Stawowy, co-editor of Storms of the Inland Sea, an anthology with Jim Cokas.

To learn more or to become a member, please visit agingamazing.com.

Register here to get the link to the Zoom meetings.

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Dementia &The Arts Festival

The Dementia Arts Festival happening in New York City’s Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater on April 11 matinee is now FREE! Not only is attendance at the matinee, from noon to 3 p.m., free, but we're working our collective tails off to make it accessible for those who are living with dementia and their caregivers.

How?

Our timeline is condensed into 2 hours
Refreshments are offered at the beginning
The program runs continuously without intermission
And more now loading!

We've got an awesome celebration for this community! Could you help us spread the word and reach as many caregivers and persons living with dementia as possible? Please reach out with any requests for more information. Check out our website, and our social media is rife with opportunities for sharing and amplifying this message: Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

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HFC's Humans of Dementia Scholarship is Back!

Know a student who's eager to kickstart their academic awesomeness? HFC’s Humans of Dementia Scholarship offers a unique opportunity for high school and college students to make a difference, reduce stigma, raise awareness, and inspire change while boosting their own academic journey.

Details Here!

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We have so much to learn …

Michael Ellenbogen came to AlzAuthors in 2016. He is the author of From the Corner Office to Alzheimer’s. In 2008, at the age of 49, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s after struggling to get a diagnosis since his first symptoms appeared at age 39. Michael has been an active advocate for Alzheimer’s and dementia health care quality and policy for 15 years. He recently published The Failing Hospital System - When it Comes to Cognitive Issues in Mathew’s Journal of Neurology. The article outlines his proposal for acute care hospitals to offer training and certification programs in dementia care to medical staff, which, he says, would provide better care for individuals and reduce hospital costs related to “medication errors, unnecessary or suboptimal treatments, increased stress and an unhappy patient.”

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On Friday, April 12th at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET former neuroscience nurse practitioner and Alzheimer’s advocate Doreen Monks joins Being Patient Live Talks to discuss her experience with diagnosis and her path towards advocacy.

As she shared in her previous live talk with us, Monk was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2016 at age 63, after which she became dedicated to sharing her story and working with organizations like Voices of Alzheimer’s, US Against Alzheimer’s, and the Alzheimer’s Association. Leveraging her background in neuroscience, specifically focusing on stroke care, management, prevention and treatment, she uses her voice to reduce stigma around Alzheimer’s and promote education around the disease. RSVP to learn more about her diagnosis and how she is using her medical background to educate others about Alzheimer’s disease.

RSVP here

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The Reading2Connect White Paper

Asserting the Power of Reading for People Living with Dementia

In this white paper from the folks at Reading2Connect you will learn strategies to assist those with dementia to enjoy reading once again and will enable you to build engagement and connection.

Request a free download

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New Report from the Alzheimer’s Association

Facts and Figures reveals difficulties in navigating dementia care

The new Alzheimer’s Association 2024 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report provides an in-depth look at the latest national and state-by-state statistics on Alzheimer’s disease prevalence, mortality, caregiving and costs of care. The accompanying special report, Mapping a Better Future for Dementia Care Navigation, reveals the difficulties caregivers and health care workers experience while navigating dementia care.

Download here

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