Certain elements might be okay in typical magazines, but they simply get in the way when you’re designing a dementia-friendly magazine.
Things Not Included in Our Dementia-Friendly Magazine
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Connect With Joy
We know how hard it is to love and care for someone living with dementia. It’s normal to feel sad, confused, and frustrated.
But your journey also can include moments of joy and celebration. You can connect with your loved one in meaningful ways.
Our magazine and singalongs are designed to help people living with dementia connect with family and friends and their own joy-filled memories.
A resident at a local memory care facility reacts during one of our singalong shows.
FEATURED ARTICLES
Why We Created a Dementia-Friendly Magazine
With every page of every issue, we’re working to create new opportunities for families to experience new moments of joy and connection.
Handyman – A Caregiver Story
Family and friends need to get involved. Sometimes that just means being around, seeing what needs to be done, and doing what you can to ease the burden … if even only for a moment.
Balancing Act – A Caregiver Story
A loving daughter shares about caring for her parents who are both living with dementia.
FEATURED RESOURCES
Singalong Songs From Mary Poppins
Sing along with “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”
Ambiguous Loss and Dementia
Dementia creates ambiguous loss. Your loved one is here, but not here. It’s confusing. There’s no timetable, so no sense of closure.
Books and DVDs Available Free to Dementia Caregivers
Select from a list of books and DVDs available to dementia caregivers.
Resources for Using Music in Dementia Care
Helpful resources for family and professional caregivers. Singalong videos, music activity ideas, and more.
QUICK LINKS
Joyful Memories Magazine
Latest Singalong Videos
- “When the Red, Red Robin”
- “A Spoonful of Sugar” (published under license from Walt Disney Music Publishing)
- “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” (published under license from Walt Disney Music Publishing)
- “A Smile Will Go a Long Long Way”
Pages and Posts
Downloadable PDFs
Songs & Smiles co-founders Eric and Sheryl Kolb with Sheryl’s mom, Trish, in 2017, sharing a moment of joy during the Alzheimer’s journey. Eric and Sheryl helped care for Trish from the time of her diagnosis in 2008 until Alzheimer’s took her life in 2019.
Celebrate Life
We support caregivers and families during the Alzheimer’s journey, encouraging them to celebrate life with love and laughter. We know how hard it can be to connect with someone who has Alzheimer’s, but we also know the tremendous value of each person and every shared moment of joy.
So, we sing and we smile. We rethink how we have conversations, and we look for creative ways to connect.
Living With Alzheimer’s
In 2022, an estimated 6.2 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s.
By the Year 2060
The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s is expected to rise to 13.8 million by 2060.
Unpaid Caregivers
More than 11 million Americans provide an estimated 15.3 billion hours of unpaid care each year for people who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
Keep Families Together
Our Mission: Keeping Families Connected During the Alzheimer’s Journey
Caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s presents unique challenges, and the journey can last for many years. Sadly, many caregivers get worn out and families often drift apart.
Everything we do is about keeping families connected during the Alzheimer’s journey. Join us in encouraging and supporting caregivers and families.
Trish, whose maiden name was Beeson, celebrated her 78th birthday in 2017 together with the other “Beeson Ladies.” From left, Trish’s grandniece Sydney, niece Stacey, grandniece Emma, sister Mary, Trish, daughter Sheryl, niece Terri, and grandniece Grace.
Get Involved
Care for Caregivers
Provide encouragement and support to those on the front lines.
Care Tips
Learn how to better connect with someone living with dementia.
Share Your Story
Encourage others by sharing your own story.
Volunteer
Contact us about getting involved as a volunteer.