Nostalgia products help "connect" with people who suffer from memory loss.

From the Editor:
We often get testimonial thank-you letters from people who take care of patients with Alzheimer's and other forms of memory loss, saying how helpful it is to read the stories and show photos from Reminisce magazine.

They explain that people with serious memory loss often remember the distant past much better than present-day events, and that fond memories often "reach" that person in a positive way like nothing else can. This is so important to a family member or professional who has been caring for someone with Alzheimer's, trying to "connect" or evoke a rare smile.

Recently, I received the Family video/DVD from The Memory Lane Company. Their products use pleasing nostalgic film clips, images and popular older music to bring back familiar stages of life. The moment I saw this quality footage, I knew it was special.

I gave copies to two of my co-workers. One didn't think her mother, in the later stage of Alzheimer’s, would respond to the video, but she gave it to the caretaker at the home where her mother stays. She received a call in a few days telling her the caretaker played it for a group of people, and they and her mother had loved it! This was incredible news because they had wasted money on so many products that didn't help.

Another co-worker, Ellen, had a similar response with the video, so I asked her to write about it:

So many of us have family members, friends or acquaintances who have been struck by this tragic disease--or else we know of someone affected. Reminisce is now working with The Memory Lane Company on developing more video products, and we're glad to spread the word about this incredible Family video/DVD/CD, which is available to order right now. You can read more about it (below), then click to their site for more information or to order. There is simply nothing like it. —Bettina Miller, Editor, Reminisce, Reminisce EXTRA

Give the Gift of Joy

Reminiscence Products for People with Memory Loss

From the creators of Baby Einstein® comes a new series of interactive tools to support the caregiving process for people with memory loss.

Living with memory loss (including Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia) can be frustrating for both the persons affected and their caregivers. The Memory Lane Company creates innovative media products -- videos, music, memory books -- that offer a place where people with memory loss, their caregivers and family members, can come together to reminisce, connect and share moments of joy.

Caregivers will find these resources useful for focusing attention, evoking pleasant memories and emotions, generating physical responses and creating conversations.