Make Twice the Impact Right Now
Make Twice the Impact Right Now
Our Autumn 2x Match Challenge is happening right now. Until midnight on Oct. 12, your gift can go twice as far to advance research, promote brain health and help provide care and support for those impacted by Alzheimer’s.
Donate NowOne Stitch at a Time: How a Teen’s Crochet Hobby Is Bringing Comfort to Memory Care
Aadya has always been fascinated by the brain. She has spent two years on scientific research and studied neuroscience in school. But her time at Parkland showed her something a textbook couldn’t: the human side of dementia.
A Moment That Sparked an Idea
During her visits, Aadya noticed that many residents, including one woman in particular, had restless, fidgeting hands. Restlessness is a common but often overlooked symptom of dementia. Then one day she saw that woman holding a simple crocheted muff, made by her granddaughter. Her hands finally grew still.Aadya crochets, and she realized she could do the same for more people. That realization became Memory Muffs, an initiative that creates and donates crocheted muffs to people living with memory loss.
Comfort for Caregivers, Too
Every donation visit has shown Aadya that the muffs matter to more than the residents. Caregivers in memory care work in busy environments, balancing many needs at once, and she has been struck by their compassion and sense of responsibility. She also knows the role can bring stress and pressure. She hopes the muffs offer comfort to everyone around a person living with dementia and help ease restlessness along the way.
Growing the Mission
Memory Muffs is expanding its reach in three ways:- Turning a hobby into a fundraiser. Aadya plans to turn her crocheting into a fundraiser benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association’s Do What You Love to End ALZ, which invites people to use their passions and talents to raise funds for the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.
- Community workshops and events. Memory Muffs is creating more opportunities to raise money for organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association, including an upcoming event at the Chandler Museum.
- A national volunteer network. The team is reaching out to crochet groups across the country to join the initiative and work together for a meaningful cause.
What Aadya Wants You to Know
Alzheimer’s disease is a major health condition affecting families around the world. Aadya’s message is that even something as small as a hobby can make life better for people living with it.“One stitch at a time” is her team’s mission, and it’s an invitation anyone can accept. Whether you crochet, play an instrument, or simply have time to sit and talk with someone, your skills can bring comfort to people facing memory loss.
Looking for support or ways to get involved? Call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900 or visit alz.org.