The Longest Day

With summer under way and Father's day just around the corner, I had planned to write something about those topics. Then I heard about The Longest Day.  

The summer solstice is the day of the year with the most hours of sunlight, making it The Longest Day. The Alzheimer's Association is encouraging supporters raise funds to "outshine the darkness of Alzheimer's disease" on or near the longest day. At my networking breakfast this morning, my friend and Forever colleague, Ann Matuszak, announced that she is organizing an event to take part in this drive. After breakfast, a discussion broke out, revealing that just about everyone has been touched by Alzheimer's Disease and dementia among their relatives or friends. I have a friend in memory care that I visit quite often and my mother suffered from dementia in her last years. I have heard that everyone who lives long enough is at risk for some form of dementia!

I have often said that photographs are physical memories. How often have you looked at an old photograph and had memories flood back from a moment you thought you had forgotten? It seems that research backs me up; looking at photographs is beneficial for dementia patients, helping them hold on to memories of their families and loved ones for just a little longer. In the memory care facility where my friend Evelyn lives, each resident's room has a shelf of family pictures; the sticky notes attached to each picture help remind the occupant who these people are as they slowly lose touch with the world outside.  When I visit Evelyn, I take my tablet with me and show her pictures and videos. She likes to watch a video I made for her wedding anniversary several years ago, which shows her family and her home. Of course, it is (sadly) new every time I show it to her. 

Ann's workshop is called "Photos and Memories", and it lasts all day. It is an opportunity for people with a lot of photographs to organize, to get a jump start on their projects as well as some short classes of interest to caregivers like, creating a simple photo book for someone with dementia. If you would like to take part in  "Celebrating the longest day of the year to bring light to the darkness of Alzheimer's", click on the link above and sign up. The workshop is on June 21st at the Celebration Center in  Brookfield, WI and costs $50. A light lunch is included.  If you can't spend the day, please consider making a donation to continue the fight.