Al's Moving Minds aims to provide socializing for seniors

By Kelcy Dolan
Posted 7/28/16

Anne Mulhall cared for her father, Al, as his vascular dementia progressed. When he passed in 2001, she began volunteering at St. Elizabeth Home. Over time, she began working at different nursing homes, providing recreational therapy for

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Al's Moving Minds aims to provide socializing for seniors

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Anne Mulhall cared for her father, Al, as his vascular dementia progressed. When he passed in 2001, she began volunteering at St. Elizabeth Home.

Over time, she began working at different nursing homes, providing recreational therapy for memory-loss patients. Although Mulhall began another career, she saw the need for individuals suffering from memory loss – but whose condition was not yet severe enough for professional nursing or assisted living care – to socialize and have therapeutic experiences.

In 2008 she established Al’s Moving Minds, a statewide initiative providing different activities modified and geared toward memory loss patients. The two-hour sessions have included bowling, art programs, book clubs, coffee gatherings, park visits, golf, and card games, among other activities. The organization is available across Rhode Island and will create programs with the recommendation or request of a caregiver, then opening it to a greater audience.

Mulhall stressed that each program is manageable for seniors and “catered to the abilities of each individual client,” because the physical aspect of each program is less significant than the opportunity for these individuals to socialize. Even those who may not be able to do any one task are still invited to participate in the event as a whole.

Mulhall said, “Whatever we do, we try and make it fun. We don’t want our programs to seem like a medical visit. We just want to bring people together to continue what they would do despite dementia. We don’t want their condition to stop them.”

The all-volunteer program is hosting an art program Thursday, Aug. 4, at the Artists’ Exchange in Cranston. Currently, Al’s Moving Minds hosts one or two events monthly at the request of clients but has the capacity to host numerous events once a week.

Initially, the organization simply wanted to offer respite to caregivers, and provide beneficial activities for memory loss clients that families might not be able to provide. Over time, though, Mulhall found that familial caregivers tended to stay for the programs, enjoying the time with their loved ones.

“They could remember their old selves again, instead of just care, care, care, which can burn people out,” Mulhall said. “We aren’t a support group, but we found the families were coming together. It was a positive side effect that they could share stories, and best practices, to realize they weren’t alone.”

Although there is no cure for conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, Mulhall said studies have found regular socializing “staves off a rapid decline in ability.” When individuals have programs to keep them alert, focused and active, the progression of the condition can be slowed.

Mulhall explained the senior population is growing exponentially as the “Baby Boomers” age. With an increased senior population, it can only be assumed that there will be an equivalent increase in patients with memory loss. With more patients, there are going to have to be “new and different ways to care for them, especially as people want to ‘age in place’ more.”

“Baby Boomers were a generation that paved the way and know they want to age better than previous generations. They will be looking for programs like ours and we will be here for them,” Mulhall said.

Already, Al’s Moving Minds is gaining popularity as families hear about the group’s work. The hope is that in the next few years the organization can continue to grow, offering more regular activities throughout the state. Currently, Mulhall, who was trained by the Alzheimer’s Association, has trained 35 volunteers who work within the various programs, but Al’s Moving Minds is always looking for more volunteers as well as businesses to partner with on events.

“Ultimately, what we do is based on interest. We grow organically like that. We have the capability to meet people where they are in their communities,” Mulhall said. “We try and fill the nooks and crannies between services and create programs based on the needs of families and clients.”

Al’s Moving Minds art event will be on Thursday, Aug. 4, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Artists’ Exchange, located at 50 Rolfe Square in Cranston. Space is limited so, registration is required.

For more information or to register, contact Mulhall at 226-4677 or anne@alsmovingminds.org.

For more information on the organization or to inquire about possibilities of programs in your community, visit alsmovingminds.org.

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