Legos to become serious play for dementia caregivers on February 9

Lego blocks becomes serious play for dementia caregivers at Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease: Building Love into Dementia Caregiving. Loretta Veney, a certified Lego Serious Play facilitator, speaker and author, leads the workshop that shows how Lego blocks can be used as a caregiving tool for dementia caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association and Baltimore City Health Department present the free event Friday, February 9, 2024, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Oliver Senior Center, 1700 N. Gay Street, Baltimore 21213. A continental breakfast and lunch are provided. Register before February 5.

"We are pairing dementia resources with a fun hands-on activity while having a much-needed discussion about the impact of dementia in the African American community,” says Marlyn Taylor, Alzheimer’s Association diversity and inclusion program manager. “Partnering with the Baltimore City Health Department extends our reach into communities that need to know how to response when the warning signs of dementia first appear." Linda Stewart, family caregivers program manager with the Baltimore City Health Department says, “The partnership between Baltimore City Health Department and the Alzheimer’s Association is an initiative to promote brain health, dementia risk reduction and awareness about modifiable risk factors.”

Caring for her mother who had Alzheimer’s, Veney discovered that playing with Legos helped them to connect when the disease ended verbal communication. “Legos lend themselves to creative play because there is no wrong or right way to connect the blocks,” says Veney. Her book Being My Mom’s Mom lists other caregiving tips. The noted speaker was featured on ABC’s Good Morning America with Robin Roberts.

Dementia risk in Baltimore City
A recent report ranks Baltimore City's 16.3% projected dementia prevalence for residents age 65 and older among the nation’s top three regions. Maryland has more than 110,000 people living with dementia and 247,000 caregivers. African Americans are at twice the risk of developing dementia due to elevated rates for diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia®. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.