Dementia Care Coach Corner: Written by Kristen Romea, LCSW
In the past decade, there have been many exciting advancements in medical science, technology, and our broader understanding of memory loss that have begun revolutionizing dementia support. For those of us who have been personally impacted by this disease, there is a hopeful vision of the future – one that promises easier paths for those who come after us. However, it can be challenging to hold onto this hope when we are in the trenches, experiencing the devastating impact that dementia can have on our families.
In speaking with members of the younger generations, it is clear that the work we have done to improve the lives of those living with memory loss will continue for many years to come. Alzheimer’s San Diego has many dedicated volunteers who are teens or young adults, eager to give back to their communities. We also come into contact with younger people who use their creativity and technical skills to solve real-world problems faced by caregivers and those living with dementia. In seeing the amazing things they are doing at such a young age, one can only imagine what they might accomplish through their lifetimes. Here are two such stories:
Kyla Kuo: Empowering Conversations
Kyla Kuo, a college student and lifelong Girl Scout, has been passionate about serving her community since her early years. As part of her Girl Scout journey, she had the opportunity to pursue a “Gold Award,” which is a prestigious award for those who “fix a problem” or make a sustainable difference in their community. When Kyla began thinking about what she might like to create, she thought of her grandmother, whom she had lived with for 7 years. Her grandmother had Alzheimer’s disease and loved to reminisce and share memories from her past – from stories of her childhood to her career as a medical librarian. For those living with dementia, initiating conversation can become very challenging. Kyla recognized that a tool to help spark and sustain these conversations would be invaluable for families.
While her grandmother still recalled long-term memories with ease, as is often the case with those living with dementia, Kyla realized that some families might not know how to prompt such conversations. Her solution was simple yet impactful: she designed a set of “conversation cards” that serve as dementia-friendly conversation starters. The cards, designed in her graphic design class, resemble a standard deck of playing cards, making them familiar and easy to use for both adults and children.
Kyla designed these cards in her graphic design elective class and then printed and shared them with Alzheimer’s San Diego. Since then, dozens of families have been able to use them to engage with their loved ones in meaningful ways. These cards have become an invaluable resource for connecting people and nurturing relationships to create lasting memories.
If you would like to pick up a free deck of conversation cards, you can do so at our main office in Kearny Mesa: 3635 Ruffin Rd, Ste 300, San Diego, CA 92123
Aadarsh Menon: Innovating Care
Aadarsh is a local high school student who lives in an intergenerational household with his parents, brother, and grandfather. His grandfather is currently living with memory loss and as a result, communication was very difficult at first. His grandfather would often become confused during conversations and sometimes would get upset when Aadarsh tried to correct him.
Determined to support his grandfather, Aadarsh began researching dementia and learning about effective communication strategies. He consumed articles and videos, eager to learn how he might improve the ways in which he interacted with his grandfather. Through this process, Aadarsh learned a lot and realized he needed to focus on validating his grandfather and redirecting him, rather than correcting him. He immediately began to notice a positive change in their interactions when he adjusted his approach.
As Aadarsh improved his own communication skills, he began to think of ways he might share this newfound knowledge with others. He thought about how he might combine his love of video games with his passion for helping others. As a founding member of his high school’s game design club, he used his skills to develop the first edition of the game, which is now available for feedback from caregivers. He was able to incorporate AI features into the game so that it is more adaptable and is able to provide tailored feedback to users. Understanding that each person living with dementia has a unique experience, Aadarsh hopes to refine the game based on feedback to make it more helpful and relevant to the broader caregiving community.
If you would like to playtest the game and give Aadarsh feedback, you can do so here: https://aadarshmenon.itch.io/projectmemory
Making Their Mark
These stories of Kyla and Aadarsh are just two examples of how younger generations are already making a difference for those with dementia. Through innovation, empathy, and community involvement, they are ensuring that future generations will have more tools, resources, and support to improve the lives of those living with memory loss.
For personalized help regarding your situation, call us at 858.492.4400 to speak with one of our dementia experts who are here to help San Diego County residents and/or those caring for someone living in San Diego County (Spanish speakers available). Also check out our free education classes, social activities, caregiver support groups, & more.
Our “Dementia Care Coach Corner” series is where our team of dementia experts weigh in on unique topics and provide insight that can help people impacted by dementia.
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Posted on January 30th, 2025
