Pictured: Sheryl Keeme, Neighbors Who Care and Nikhil Pandey
Neighbors Who Care, a small nonprofit located in the southeast valley of Maricopa County, offers aging in place free services to a specific 32-square mile area with volunteer assistance. The audience we serve is older than age 65, in fact, many of our clients are well beyond age 80. Positioned inside of an active 55-plus community, seniors comprise most of our volunteer corps as well.
As the baby boomers age, dementia diagnoses are rising. The services we offer that assist these families include respite for the caregiver; meal delivery; transportation; reassurance calls; and more. NWC has served as a statutory agent for Sun Lakes’ Memory Café, has provided transportation for adult day club activities for dementia clients, and was an impetus for establishing Sun Lakes as a dementia friendly community. Amidst these activities, we formed a relationship with Nikhil Pandey, a life scout and local student.
Nikhil was inspired to create a sensory board for his beloved elementary school teacher, Mrs. Laws. Mrs. Laws was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia. Heartbreakingly, Mrs. Laws passed away a week before Nikhil could present his board to her. Nikhil was still able to make an impact, however, by sharing his project idea with Mrs. Laws’ daughter, Mrs. Trepanier, who also happened to be Nikhil’s teacher.
Nikhil also set up a group project along with his fellow scouts from Scouting America Grand Canyon Council Troop 283 to produce additional sensory boards to distribute to other organizations that provide programming for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Nikhil generously donated the same board that he made for Mrs. Laws to Neighbors Who Care. Our agency social worker, Bonnie Kosar, holds a weekly caregiver support group and the sensory board has been useful for the care partners of the group’s members.
The dementia boards were designed to stimulate and engage people living with cognitive disease by offering fine motor skill activities. Nikhil constructed them from recycled and sustainable materials affixed to coated particle wood. The components he used were items such as latches, zippers, shoelaces, knobs, and textured surfaces.
Nikhil solicited items for his board from his school, residents, and local businesses. Once completed, the boards engage its user, calms any agitation, and stimulates memories in individuals living with dementia. Caregivers also benefit by being able to access a few moments of respite as the boards keep users busy.
Neighbors Who Care received its board along with Dignity Health Arizona General Hospital ER Mesa where the boards help create a sense of comfort in what can often be a stressful environment.
Nikhil’s enthusiasm was inspiring. As our client base living with dementia grows, we are honored that a young person had the insight and saw the need in the community. Even more, we are encouraged by his commitment and action toward addressing the need via his Eagle Scout project.
Sheryl L Keeme, Executive Director
Nikhil Pandey’s Troop 283, Gila River District, Grand Canyon, Council, and Dr. Hemant K. Pandey
