As some of you know, in addition to writing my Quilting and Patchwork blog, I co-author Alzheimer’s Notes with Liz Lewis.  I’m a former caregiver for my mom and aunt and now help with Alzheimer’s awareness through my writing and speaking.  Liz is a nurse whose work involves the elderly.
Liz is organizing an All About Alzheimer’s Carnival at Alzheimer’s Notes, “to create a community place to discover each others writings and thoughts.”
We know that Alzheimer’s knows no boundaries so may affect your lives in some way that you’d like to share…to find comfort or to comfort others.  Lia and I …read more

Are you involved in raising Alzheimer’s awareness?  There are a number of quilting related projects, as well as many others, that have been raising funds and awareness to combat this disease.  
Many people are focusing on National Alzhemer’s Day, this coming Friday, September 21, to do something special.  You may find events taking place in your community, such as Memory Walks.  Even just becoming more knowledgeable about this disease will increase your awareness.
Check out these sources for more information:
* ActionAlz.org
*Alzheimer’s Daily News
*Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walks

The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative, under the direction of Ami Simms, has put together a     book, Alzheimer’s: Forgetting Piece by Piece, about the quilts contributed for this auction fund raising projcet.
The color proofs have been okayed and now are back with the printer.  A June release is anticipated, although it may be ready before.
The cover features pictures of the 52 quilts depicted and described in the book, quilts that have been part of the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative.  At least $2 from the purchase of each book will go to Alzheimer’s research.  For more information about Alzheimer’s: Forgetting Piece …read more

The Touch Quilt, at the Alzheimer’s Store (http://alzstore.com/ ) gave me ideas for quilts we can design for family members or friends stricken with this disease.  If we don’t have time to make the quilt, we can always purchase one and then create more as needed.
However, they appear very easy to design and make with 13 x 15-inch blocks of different colors and textures.  For instance you could use a variety -flannel, corduroy, nubby fabric and others – to create a quilt that appeals to the Alzheimer’s patient’s tactile sense.  Using different colors and designs also will give the quilt …read more

To develop more awareness of Alzheimer’s and spread knowledge about this disease, quilters in Blount County, Tennessee are designing a memory quilt which will hand in the Blount county Museum.  The Blount County Outreach Council, under the direction of Trula Jones, whose mother has Alzheimer’s, developed a plan to increase community awareness and help fight this disease.
The colors in this Alzheimer’s awareness quilt – black, green, gold and red – are associated with African-American tradition.
For more information about this memory quilt, visit The Daily Times ( www.thedailytimes.com ).  Click on “health times” and scroll down to the story for 8/26. Also you …read more