A Local Organization Offers Help for Those with Dementia and their Families

 

Charter One Realty is committed to being involved with numerous local not-for-profit organizations, with many of our Charter One Realty partners and agents taking an active role as board members at organizations throughout the region.  One such organization is Memory Matters – with Partner/Agent Brad Wilson serving as a Board member of this important Hilton Head Island not-for-profit that is growing throughout the community.

Memory Matters provides programs and services for those with Alzheimer’s and all forms of dementia and their families.  Originally founded in 1997 as Alzheimer’s Respite & Resource, the program has grown from only providing one half-day per week respite services for patients and their families, to now offering high quality programs and services five full days per week.  In 2009, the organization moved from St. Luke’s Church into a much bigger, state-of-the-art new facility better equipped to help the growing number of families it serves – and also changed its name to Memory Matters to reflect the fact that the organization also helps those with all forms of dementia and not just those with Alzheimer’s disease.

Specific programs and services that Memory Matters offers includes confidential memory screenings and a special Connections Program for those who have been recently diagnosed with any form of dementia and are exhibiting early symptoms of memory loss.  The pro-active Connections Program uses cutting edge technology to improve visual, language, memory and spatial skills and encourages cognitive stimulation – also incorporating yoga and meditation to help promote a sense of well-being and provide vital socialization to help decrease the chance for depression, which can also interfere with memory.  Memory Matters also offers a social day program to engage participants in both mental and physical stimulation through music, drama, art, yoga, exercise and mind-stimulating games, and a number of resources and support groups for caregivers. 

In 2015, Memory Matters joined an international movement called the Purple Angel Project – with the goal to create a Dementia Friendly Community in Hilton Head, Bluffton and the Lowcountry.  The program consists of offering free training to teach local companies to be more sensitive and have the confidence to better serve customers with dementia.  To date, Memory Matters has trained more than 1300 employees in the Hilton Head and Bluffton area from various businesses, including financial and insurance groups, attorneys, health agencies, churches, non-profits, retail establishments and restaurants.  If you are interested in more information or how to get involved in the Purple Angel Project, click here: http://www.purpleangelproject.org/

A volunteer-driven organization, Memory Matters now has more than 70 volunteers – serving as members of their Board of Directors, working in the social day program, raising funds and serving as ambassadors in the community.  Memory Matters is always in need of both volunteers as well as gifts and donations in order to help them continue to provide these critical programs and services. 

The organization provides several events including Family Fun Nights and art classes. One of the upcoming events, the Chef’s Event held on May 3, 2016 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, will feature guest speaker and Hall of Fame Jockey, Eddie Maple.

For more information about Memory Matters and ways to get involved, visit www.memorymatters.com.

Remember a Better Life - Memory Matters Video

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