Introducing Relish!

An estimated 6.5 million Americans age 65 and older are currently living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. This number is projected to more than double by 2050. Worldwide, an estimated 54 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias (2022 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures). These numbers are staggering, and there’s currently no straightforward cure, but there are ways to combat decline, slow degeneration, and improve quality of life.

At Bridgetown Music Therapy, our main focus is the modality of music to improve a person’s wellbeing. Music can engage and positively affect individuals cognitively, emotionally, physically, spiritually, socially and more. This can lead to outcomes such as partially or temporarily restoring language and communication, sparking memories, and reducing stress or anxiety. Music is not the only way to engage a person and enrich their life though. Many other engaging activities and therapies exist that benefit a person living with dementia. This month, we’re excited to introduce you to our new partner, Relish, a company focused on bringing joy to life with dementia. Their mission is to help improve the overall wellbeing of people with dementia by providing fun, meaningful activities that help build their relationships with their family, friends and caregivers.

Relish began in 2008 by Ben Atkinson-Willes when he realized the need for age-appropriate, dementia-friendly activity products. Like millions of us who live with or know someone affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s, Ben found himself needing to create memory-appropriate activities for his grandad. From there, Relish has grown to a company known around the world for their dementia-friendly approach to activity products leading to joyful experiences and fulfilling engagement.

Of particular note is their Wheel of Wellbeing. Relish says, “The mental wellbeing of people with dementia is crucial to overall happiness and health, improving the quality of life for both those diagnosed and their family and carers. Yet, wellbeing is often a second or third consideration when being diagnosed, with little advice or help given on where to find resources that can bring joy, leaving people at the risk of feeling lost and understandably insecure about the future. Relish has recently developed a wellbeing model, built on latest dementia thinking, that connects products with outcomes. Each of the 8 levers drives the creative process internally to ensure that products and activity always have a purpose and wellbeing outcome. Joy and function are combined in the design of a simple set of benefit icons, connecting it with carers and helping them navigate the benefits of every Relish product.”

Products include jigsaw puzzles, arts & crafts, games, brain teasers, and sensory toys. Relish is continually creating new products in order to offer variety and to meet the wellbeing needs of those living with dementia. Through our partnership with Relish, we’re thrilled to offer a coupon code to our members, subscribers, and followers for a 15% discount on their products. Simply enter code SAH15 at checkout. Please visit their website at relish-life.com to learn more and to shop dementia-friendly activity products!