Glenwood Care and Rehabilitation hosts 'baby shower' for residents

Charita M. Goshay, The Repository
·2 min read
Glenwood Care and Rehabilitation Activities Director Krystal Hanze introduces resident Carolyn Kramerage to a life-like doll during a "baby shower" at the Canton facility. Memory-care residents received dolls donated by Pearl's Memory Babies.
Glenwood Care and Rehabilitation Activities Director Krystal Hanze introduces resident Carolyn Kramerage to a life-like doll during a "baby shower" at the Canton facility. Memory-care residents received dolls donated by Pearl's Memory Babies.

CANTON – Carolyn Kramerage's eyes lit up at the sight of the pink bundle coming her way.

It was a blanket-swaddled doll, which she happily cuddled.

The Glenwood Care and Rehabilitation at 836 34th St. NW hosted a "baby shower" on Monday for its memory-care residents. Nineteen residents received life-like dolls, and stuffed dogs, which were donated by Pearl's Memory Babies.

Krystal Hanze, Glenwood activities director, said she learned about the Shepherdsville, Kentucky-based nonprofit on Facebook and reached out to it in October.

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"This will make a big difference in our residents; we cannot thank Pearl's Memory Babies enough for their donation to our community," she said.

Resident Shirley Allen receives a doll at Glenwood Care and Rehabilitation. The Canton facility hosted a "baby shower" for its memory-care residents.
Resident Shirley Allen receives a doll at Glenwood Care and Rehabilitation. The Canton facility hosted a "baby shower" for its memory-care residents.

Formed by a husband and wife who discovered that his afflicted mother found comfort in holding a doll, Pearl's Memory Babies donates dolls and stuffed animals to nursing care facilities, free of charge.

Hanze said having a doll to care for can help to relieve stress.

"A lot of memory care unit patients have a lot of isolation and sadness," she said. "Many are living in the past, so holding the babies not only relieves stress, but brings back a lot of joyful memories."

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Residents Mary Ritchea, left, and Elaine Yanosik visit with a doll at Glenwood Care and Rehabilitation. The Canton facility hosted a "baby shower" for its memory-care residents who received life-like dolls and stuffed dogs donated by Pearl's Memory Babies.
Residents Mary Ritchea, left, and Elaine Yanosik visit with a doll at Glenwood Care and Rehabilitation. The Canton facility hosted a "baby shower" for its memory-care residents who received life-like dolls and stuffed dogs donated by Pearl's Memory Babies.

Nationwide, more than 6.5 million people over 65 have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, including 220,000, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

At Glenwood, the unit's community room was decorated with pink-and-blue balloon displays, accompanied by a cake and some baby-shower games.

When asked what they planned to name their new babies, most of the recipients said they weren't sure, except for one woman.

"George," she said, confidently.

To learn more about Pearls Memory Babies, visit https://pearlsmemorybabies.com or www.facebook.com/PearlsMemoryBabies.

Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com.

On Twitter: @cgoshayREP

Glenwood Care and Rehabilitation resident Shirley Allen gently touches a life-like doll she was gifted during a "baby shower" for the memory-care residents at the Canton facility.
Glenwood Care and Rehabilitation resident Shirley Allen gently touches a life-like doll she was gifted during a "baby shower" for the memory-care residents at the Canton facility.

Five things to know about Alzheimer's disease

  • Nearly 6 million Americans over 65 are living with Alzheimer's disease.

  • One in 3 senior citizens dies from Alzheimer's or a dementia-related disease; it causes more deaths than breast cancers and prostate cancer combined.

  • Last year, Alzheimer's care and treatment in the U.S. cost $321 billion.

  • Some 16 million people are providing unpaid care for persons with Alzheimer's disease.

  • National Alzheimer's Awareness Month is in June.

Source: Alzheimer's Association

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Pearl's Memory Babies donates dolls to Glenwood Care and Rehabilitation