Dani Budoff, a 16-year-old rising senior in high school, started having virtual conversations with seniors before Conversations to Remember was founded. Now a senior volunteer, Dani continues to participate on two calls a week and helps train new students for their calls. A friend of co-founder Aaron Lefkowitz, Dani was one of the first members …
Darden and Priscilla Kirby opened Twin Magnolias Assisted Living as a small, 16-bed assisted living home 26 years ago. Since then, Darden has taken a variety of roles at Twin Magnolias, most importantly among them owner and administrator. As administrator, he oversees the residents and ensures that Twin Magnolias complies with regulatory requirements. The complete …
“It was a passion project that we all had,” Ilana Lefkowitz, a co-founder of Conversations to Remember, said about starting the organization. “It was a very eye-opening thing because it shocked me just how fast Conversations to Remember expanded, and how well it expanded.” What was once “just a passion project” during the COVID-19 pandemic …
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80{2209fb43c6ecfa20578fb512f88843cfc133f88de841d1eaabba28ad6c343137} of all dementia cases. The majority of Alzheimer’s cases arise in adults aged 65 and older, but Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Unfortunately, the causes of Alzheimer’s disease are unknown. However, scientists have identified certain risk factors that appear …
Harry is a senior participating in Conversations to Remember, and is proud of it. After overcoming numerous struggles in his life, he has made it his mission to “carry a message of hope” to hospitals, prisons, recovering addicts and even the student volunteers at Conversations to Remember. In our interview, Harry was completely open about …
Dementia causes cognitive decline, impacting communication and social skills. However, having thoughtful conversations with people who suffer from dementia is incredibly important for their well-being. Though it can be hard to navigate, it is definitely not impossible — with patience and empathy, anyone can have wonderful conversations and make meaningful connections. First, it can be …
Dementia is an umbrella term that covers a range of neurodegenerative disorders involving a decline in cognitive functions, such as thinking, remembering and decision-making. Dementia is caused by abnormal changes in the brain, and can vary in severity. Although it tends to affect older adults, it is not a normal part of aging. Everyone loses …
Blaize Shiebler is a third-year student at Ohio State University. She started volunteering with Conversations to Remember in December 2020, and continues to participate in weekly calls as a senior volunteer today. Blaize got her start with Conversations to Remember because she was looking for an opportunity to volunteer that was also COVID-friendly. “I actually …
New research about the causes of dementia and possible preventative methods looks promising. One main focus of research relating to Alzheimer’s is amyloid beta and tau proteins. Amyloid beta proteins are amino acid chains that make up amyloid plaques in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Tau proteins are mainly found in neurons and …
Aileen Gaddi has over a decade of experience working at senior living communities, and currently works at Regency Palms Long Beach, in Long Beach, California, as Life Enrichment Director. She started as Activity Director, then transitioned to the Memory Care Director position. Finally, two years ago she took on her current role of Life Enrichment …
