Thanks for subscribing to the Memory Hub Newsletter, your source of the latest news, events, and resources at our vibrant community center for people living with memory loss, their families, and all who support a dementia-friendly community. This dynamic space is operated by the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center, alongside partners the Frye Art Museum, the Alzheimer's Association, Elderwise, and Full Life Care.

thememoryhub.org 

• Our care consultant from the Alzheimer's Association acts as “Memory Navigator" to provide free 30-minute appointments to help you get connected with helpful memory loss resources. Learn more.

• Fall Art Reception: 2-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 25. Celebrate fall artists at the Memory Hub! Honor the artists whose work is featured in our latest Frame of Mind exhibit, and meet our new (first ever!) Artist in Residence. Light refreshments included. A free event, sign up here.

• Our library/resource room provides a wide array of books about living well with memory loss and caregiving. View our titles.

• Maude's Garden, Washington's first public memory garden, offers a botanical oasis at the Memory Hub and hosts garden programs and art exhibits. Learn more.

The Memory Hub welcomes Julia Becke, MD, as our first Artist in Residence. Dr. Becke is a board-certified internist at the UW Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center and came to her medical training with a background in dance and dance education. Working at the crossroads of medicine and art, she brings a passion for offering dance-making workshops that are optimized for people living with memory loss or dementia.

“I am honored to be the first Artist in Residence,” says Dr. Becke. “It is a very special opportunity for me to work with people living with memory loss and use the arts and dance as a way of enhancing joy and creativity and improving life in the setting of a condition that can be stigmatizing and isolating. Finding ways to connect with our community feels important.”

In her 13 years of clinical work and previous work managing long-term care patients at the former Keiro Northwest skilled nursing facility on Cherry Hill, Dr. Becke has seen the benefits of ready access to dementia-specific programming and the negative effects of the absence of stimulation and connection to others.

Over the next few months, Dr. Becke will hold weekly dance-making sessions at the Memory Hub, specifically in the Elderwise Adult Day program and the Alzheimer's Café program. In the community, Dr. Becke will also work with residents in Terraces at Skyline. This project will culminate in a final performance at the Frye Art Museum in December, on which participants will act as co-creators of the dance movements.

A Magical 'Garden of Inspiration' Art Show!

On August 23^rd we enjoyed an open-air exhibit of nature-inspired art that was a collaboration between the Memory Hub, UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center, and Elderwise, with support from Era Living Memory Care. The colorful, eclectic art show celebrated nature-inspired art created by the Memory Hub greater community and Elderwise participants, friends and family. The idea was originally inspired by how often Maude's Garden becomes the inspiration for artwork - and it's now an annual event. The show included over 100 original works of art. Many of the artists attended and shared their enthusiasm with others.

"A special treat for us was a visit from participant artists from our Northaven outreach program," says Janet Salsbury of Elderwise, who helped organize the exhibit. "None had visited the Hub previously and all enjoyed socializing, drinking Maude’s Garden Tea and the camaraderie of sharing and discussing art.

View some of the scenes from the show:

It was so special to show off a portrait of Maude's Garden, painted by artist Mark Koplan (center) in Maude's Garden over the last few months. Here, Mark celebrates his work with Emily Billows, a Memory Hub community partner from the Seattle Public Library (left) and Genevieve Wanucha of the Memory and Brain Wellness Center who, as Maude's Garden lead, curated the art show. Photo: Thomas Grabowski.

The art show included works of glass garden art by community member Linda Cowan. To make her garden art, she finds glass pieces at Goodwill and fuses them into nature-inspired creations. Learn more. Photo: Thomas Grabowski.

Kimberley Rettig, M.Arch., stands by her artwork, titled Sun Wind. Photo: Thomas Grabowski.

Members of the UW Alzheimer's research center's team visited the show and spent time at our art table in our covered area. The pressed flower art in the foreground is by community member Jean Chen! Photo: Thomas Grabowski.

A view of the Memory Hub activity room, which contained most of the paintings and collages on display.

An incredible display of works created at the Memory Hub, including in the Elderwise program, the Garden Discovery program, and a collage workshop at the Memory Hub.

Over 80 people attended the one-day art show. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Memory Hub community!

New UW Medicine neuropsychologist, Justin Miller, PhD, submitted a 30-year-old bonsai tree from his collection! The tree is an arboricola schefflera, or Dwarf Umbrella Tree. He grows in it the "Root-over-Rock" style.

On display in the garden: Concrete casts of rhubarb leaves by Janet Salsbury, program coordinator for the Elderwise Adult Day program offered at the Memory Hub. Thanks to Janet for being our partner in planning this art show! Photo: Thomas Grabowski.

Because this summer day turned out to be (very) rainy, we displayed most of the artwork inside the Memory Hub. "This is a beautiful day," said one visitor, "not even the rain can dampen my enthusiasm."

Learn about all support, education, and engagement programs hosted at the Memory Hub, offered by the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center and our on-site collaborators:

Fall Art Reception - Frame of Mind Exhibit. Celebrate fall artists at the Memory Hub! Honor the artists whose work is featured in our latest Frame of Mind exhibit, and meet our new (first ever!) Artist in Residence, dancer Julia Becke! Light refreshments included. A free event, sign up here.

2-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 25

The Memory Hub

Dementia Friends WA partners with organizations throughout the state to implement the Dementia Friends program in their region. Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, an agency that covers Ferry, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, and Whitman counties, has been seeing positive growth in the Dementia Friends program, as well as increased volunteer interest. Currently, this region has 300 Dementia Friends!

Tara Hill Matthews and Jenni Jones, staff members at Aging Long Term Care of Eastern WA and Dementia Friends Regional Coordinators, are hard at work, providing sessions at local library locations in the area. “We are grateful for everyone who has seen the growing need for knowledge about dementia and has taken the step to become a Dementia Friend," says Tara Hill Matthews, Dementia Resource Catalyst, Aging Long Term Care of Eastern WA.

• September 2024 Dementia Friends Events

• Follow Dementia Friends Washington on Facebook

The "Era of Hope" in Alzheimer's and other dementia research: Hello Alzheimer's Podcast host Karla Hult talks with Dr. Michael Rosenbloom, a neurologist and director of clinical trials at the UW Medicine Memory and Brain Wellness Center in Seattle. Rosenbloom offers his take on this "Era of Hope" in Alzheimer's and other dementia research and his advice for future doctors and families.

Photo courtesy Jonathan Vanderweit

Dániel Somogyi. View of Königssee, 1878. Image courtesy, Frye Art Museum

Registration for the FALL Garden Discovery Program

Registration open (Oct . - Dec.)

In today's September Garden Discovery Program (the last Summer session), the group explored the blooming garden, savored herbal tea, and shared thoughts about what they noticed and felt grateful for. We explored the theme of "always alive," which is the translation of "Sempervivum" (Hens and Chicks plants). After the mother plant blooms, it dies; yet little plants growing around its base continue growing, reminding us of the enduring legacies we can all create during our lives.

In the nature-inspired project, Dawn Robinson and registered horticultural therapist Peach Jack invited participants to make tabletop terrariums with succulents. We are excited to share that Dawn Robinson will be joining the upcoming Fall season of the Garden Discovery Program as the leader of the nature-based projects! Dawn is in training to become a registered horticultural therapist. Her time working with the Memory Hub garden community is helping her to reach her goal.

"This was a real education and this is something we can bring home and do together, take care of it together." - a participant in the Garden Discovery Program

"At a time when our lives have become more mobility limited, it is amazing to be in the garden and see these plants that stay in one place and thrive." - a participant in the Garden Discovery Program

Interested in the Fall season of the program?

The Garden Discovery Program is a partnership between Seattle Parks and Recreation and UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center. The Garden Discovery Program is a program for people living with memory loss and their caregivers and is made possible by support from Aegis Living Assisted Living and Memory Care communities.

Community Resources

Our community partner Marilyn Raichle has just published a book: Don’t Walk Away, A Care Partner’s Journey, which has an introduction by MBWC Director Dr. Thomas Grabowski, MD. The book is now available on Amazon.

30% of the net proceeds will be donated to the Memory Hub and the I’m Still Here Innovation Grant program.

Marilyn Raichle is the founder of the Art of Alzheimer’s and Executive Director of Maude’s Awards for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care.

NEW Old Friends Club social respite program has opened on Mercer Island, WA. Program includes art, games, gentle exercise, music and more. 10 a.m – 2 p.m. on Thursday. Learn more.

Enjoy dementia-friendly art and music programs in the Tacoma area with Lutheran Community Services Northwest! Opening Minds through Art, and Music & Memories, provide opportunities for connection and creativity. Learn more.

Join others with memory loss in Bellingham for the weekly “Breakfast Club,” offered by Dementia Support Northwest. Come together for great coffee and conversation at Denny’s, 10 a.m. every Monday. Learn more.

Mark your calendars for the second annual Community GROWS camp, a day of creativity, exploration and connection for people with memory loss and their families offered by Seattle Parks and Recreation. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Wednesday September 25 at Seattle’s Camp Long. Learn more.

Kin On offers its annual Senior’s Day from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday September 14 in Redmond. Join in a special celebration honoring and appreciating elders with a fun day including cultural performances, health and wellness workshops, delicious food, community resources and connections. Learn more.

The Alzheimer’s Association presents their Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraising and awareness events throughout Washington in September and October. Learn more and find a walk in your area here. At the Seattle walk on September 28, be sure to visit the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center's table!