You’re probably starting to smell some summer smells that remind you of being a kid. Smells work like that! They stir up memories. Ruth Sutcliffe, Founder of The Scent Guru Group, can tell you ‘smell and memory’ reside deep in our brains and scent connections have been stored throughout our lives often without us being aware they are there until they are recalled. Ruth created something amazing! Her “Essential Awakenings Kit” was carefully developed to help those with Alzheimers and dementia re-connect with memories from everyday life and with their loved ones and caregivers. It’s no coincidence that Ruth and The Scent Guru Group chose to launch the Premier Edition of it’s ‘Essential Awakenings Smell and Memory Kits’, in June. That’s because June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. They hope you will enjoy sharing the experience of one of their kits with a loved one or special group you are steering through a difficult time as a caregiver in this very important month of June.
Ruth says, “As a daughter who watched her mother pass away from dementia-related illness, and as a daughter-in-law helping care for her mother-in-law who suffers from Alzheimer’s, she receives great joy witnessing others regain memories or regain interest in having conversations, especially seniors.
PS Her motto, “Reaching to memories through the sense of smell” came to her when she was a volunteer at a Stamford, CT Memory Care facility giving her Essential Awakenings Smell Therapy sessions. She realized her smelling sessions provided a vehicle for communication! On that day, her collection of smells were chocolate, popcorn, and lilac. Unexpectedly, some of the residents started conversing with each other, sharing memories of receiving and experiencing the joys of chocolate, while others started discussing how they loved lilacs and had a lilac bush in their gardens.
Tune in 10:40am eastern to hear what Ruth has discovered and if you are caring for someone with Alzheimers or dementia why not try one of her kits?
