Blog

A Friendly Robot

Two Appleton care communities are participating in an innovative program featuring a friendly telepresence robot. But, you might ask, can a robot be friendly? Yes! This can happen when an artist, staff person, or family member “drives” the robot and uses creative engagement techniques to engage with memory care residents through its screen. This project, led by Brooklyn poet Gary Glazner, founder and director of the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project, began with a trial run at St. Paul Elder Services (SPES) […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/a-friendly-robot/

Intergenerational Chorus Collaboration – “When Memory Fades”

The On a Positive Note Chorus and the Xavier High School Chorale   Several years ago, Emily Albrecht, a music education major at St. Olaf College, proposed an exciting idea to her mother, Kathleen. For one of her course requirements, she would design a detailed curriculum for high school students to learn about aging, dementia, creativity, music, and creating dementia friendly communities. Emily knew the music teachers at Xavier High School, her alma mater, and invited the director of the […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/intergenerational-chorus-collaboration-when-memory-fades/

Creative Care – Book Review by Susan H. McFadden

Imagine this: A world where people diagnosed with some type of dementia continue to experience joy and wonder regardless of the progression of their dementia; a world where communities view various forms of long-term care as places for engaging arts and cultural events; a world in which people living with a dementia do not need to be concerned about what they forget, but rather are celebrated for what they can imagine. Can such a world be possible? In her new […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/creative-care-book-review-by-susan-h-mcfadden/

Nominate a Star Contest Winner!

Of the many nominations of local stars who’ve gone above and beyond for the community around us, our very own Kathleen Albrecht – On a Positive Note Chorus Director – was nominated and WON! The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center Broadway Across America – Fox Cities Series Nominate a Star campaign asked community members to nominate friends, family members, and colleagues. Jean Orbison, a participant and generous supporter of Fox Valley Memory Project, along with others from the On a Positive Note […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/nominate-a-star-contest-winner/

A thank you from the Fox Arts Network

Fox Valley Memory Project’s On a Positive Note Chorus, coordinated by Susan McFadden and directed by Kathleen Albrecht, has joined a number of arts organizations in the Fox Arts Network (FAN) to say thank you to the community for supporting the arts during these challenging times. To read the full statement from the Fox Arts Network, please find it here. Thank you for your continued support. https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/a-thank-you-from-the-fox-arts-network/

Crossing: A caregiver’s journey – Book Review by Susan H. McFadden

I have read a lot of poetry by people caring for loved ones with dementia, but this collection of poems is by far the best in my opinion. It describes a journey of love and care from the first moments of being concerned about someone’s cognitive abilities, to the time when care is no longer possible in the home and a transition must be made to a residential care community, and then to death and grief. The book opens by […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/crossing-a-caregivers-journey-book-review-by-susan-h-mcfadden/

Social Isolation Affects our Memory

In the last few years, there has been a lot of research on the effects of social isolation on health and well-being. In 2018, the government in the United Kingdom created a Ministry of Loneliness and stated that loneliness is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. Little did they know how much attention we’d be paying to loneliness and social isolation in 2020! Earlier this year, a research article reported on a study of over 10,000 […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/social-isolation-affects-our-memory/

FVMP extends program cancellations through Thursday, April 30

If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out via phone or e-mail to: Mike Rohrkaste Phone: 920 284-9507     E-mail: [email protected] Brianna Jenkins Phone: 920 225-1711     E-mail: [email protected] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/fvmp-extends-program-cancellations-through-thursday-april-30/

Fox Valley Memory Project Programming Cancellations through April 5

In light of recent guidelines and restrictions, Fox Valley Memory Project programs and activities from Friday, March 20 through Sunday, April 5 are cancelled. Please see the list below for the cancelled activities: Memory Cafe at St Paul’s Memory Resource Center (Monday, March 23 at 10:30a) Mindworks at Goodwill Community Campus (Tuesday, March 24 from 11:00a – 2:15p) Memory Cafe at St John UCC (Tuesday, March 24 at 1:30p) TLC Caregiver Support Group face-to-face meeting (Tuesday, March 24 at 1:00p) […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/fox-valley-memory-project-programming-cancellations-through-april-5/

Memory Cafes Cancelled for March 16th, March 18th, and March 19th

Staff and volunteers of Fox Valley Memory Project have decided to cancel next week’s Memory Cafes: Neenah Public Library (Monday, March 16th) at 1:30p Menasha Public Library (Wednesday, March 18th) at 1:30p Memorial Presbyterian Church (Thursday, March 19th) at 1:30p While this is a difficult decision to make, we understand that it is a responsible decision to ensure the health and safety of our participants. We will be making decisions regarding the March 23, March 24, and March 25 Memory […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/memory-cafes-cancelled-for-march-16th-march-18th-and-march-19th/