I started this blog to report on the work of Alzheimer's scientists, but I keep running into the work of another group. This loosely connected collection of historians, social workers, people with memory loss and others is focused on recognizing that persons with memory loss are valuable members of society. I guess it's not surprising that this group often takes a larger view of Alzheimer's and dementia.
Michael Verde is definitely someone who thinks about the big picture. He is the founder and President of Memory Bridge, a Chicago-based foundation working to connect people who have Alzheimer's with family, friends and community. Two of his grandparents had dementia.
Since its beginnings in 2004, Memory Bridge has produced the PBS documentary There Is a Bridge, developed a program partnering junior high and high school students with people with Alzheimer's, created an interview guide for cognitively impaired participants in the Veteran's History Project and launched an art exhibit containing maps of the lives of people with Alzheimer's.
Continue reading "Memory Bridge: A Talk with Michael Verde" »
