For Otterbein Professor Evelyn Davis-Walker, a goal to help those afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease has become a reality. Over the past four years, she has been developing a game that patients can play with their families while improving their memory.
“A game meant that players could be any age, race or background and unite together through playing,” Davis-Walker said.
The cards are square coasters with the patient’s name printed on one side and a captioned personal photograph on the other side. Each deck contains 16 pairs of photos; players place the cards name-side up and try to match like pictures together in a manner similar to the game “Concentration”.
Davis-Walker started making the game in 2010 when she applied for a $25,000 grant through AOL, who was searching for the next big ideas from innovators and artists. After receiving the grant, she began producing game sets in early 2011. As of now, she has made 112 sets, free of charge, for Alzheimer’s patients in Ohio. In order to take her project to a national level, Davis-Walker needs to apply for another grant. She must create 200 sets to make that happen.
The process of making a game set begins with the Alzheimer’s patient and their loved ones or caregiver filling out a form on Davis-Walker’s website. The form details patients’ basic information and pivotal memories. Next, Davis-Walker interviews the patient and family members. During the hour-long interviews, she inquires into which memories are most important to the patient. She also scans the photos that she will be using for the game.
“It is important to scan the photos right there so patients don’t feel like I am taking their memories from them,” Davis-Walker said.
Upon completing an interview and scanning the photos, it usually takes about a week to create a game set.
Davis-Walker believes this game not only helps patients with their short term memory, through remembering where matches are, but also with their long term memory, because they are able to better remember family members and important life events by using the cards frequently.
She believes that this game can be particularly helpful to those visiting loved ones in nursing homes because it can take the awkwardness out of visits. The game is a way for visitors to actively engage with their loved one. She also believes that the games can become a treasured family keepsake once loved ones have passed away.
Davis-Walker says that her husband’s grandmother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s throughout his childhood, served as inspiration for the game. He often found himself acting as his grandmother’s caregiver but felt uncomfortable with this role—If only he had something like this game to play with her during those times. Later on, Davis-Walker’s own grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s; therefore, she believes that working on this project was meant to be.
Davis-Walker’s memory games are only the first step in a three-phase project. After reaching 200 game sets, she will be working on a commemorative book. “Included in the book will be information about the participants, including names, bios, photographs and memories listed. I would like the book to be a vehicle for potential financial donors to review the success of the project, and feel compelled to donate to Alzheimer’s research. This book would be available to the public as well,” Davis-Walker said.
The final phase of the project will be to create a national art exhibit that will detail the imagery, stories, memories and lives of those involved with her project. It will include game sets, videos from interviews and photographs of participants’ lives.
For more information about Davis-Walker’s project and to make a request for a game set, visit daviswalkercreative.com/belovedmemories.
