The holidays are a time for giving, whether it comes in the form of presents, toy drives, or spending precious time with family and friends.

Residents of our Anthem Memory Care communities give back all year long through many special projects and fundraisers. The holidays, however, provide a meaningful opportunity to engage with local organizations and shelters in ways that benefit the greater community.

One of the favorites is a program called Operation Christmas Child run by Samaritan’s Purse, a faith-based organization that helps underserved communities all over the world. Operation Christmas Child involves filling special green and red shoe boxes with small toys and other goodies. The boxes are then sent out to organizations worldwide who distribute them to children in need.

Below are a few special photos of our communities in action:

This delighted Chisholm Place Memory Care  resident in Wichita, Kansas holds up some fun gifts for Operation Christmas Child.

Emerald Place Memory Care residents and staff in Glenview, Illinois held a holiday food drive.

Cascade Creek Memory Care residents in Rochester, Minnesota fill boxes for Operation Christmas Child

These programs do much more than bring cheer and comfort to underserved communities. The act of filling a shoe box, collecting blankets for shelters, or doing a canned food drive brings a very tangible feeling of joy and good will, providing residents of our Anthem communities with the greatest gift of all: purpose.

You may find it interesting to know that there is science to back this up. According to the Cleveland Clinic, charitable acts release what are often called “feel good” hormones that promote a sense of well being. They are:

• Serotonin, which regulates mood.
• Dopamine, which provides a sense of pleasure.
• Oxytocin, which provides a sense of being connected with others.

As psychologist, Susan Alberts, PsyD, remarks, “When we do things for other people, it makes us feel much more engaged and joyful. That’s good for our health and our happiness.”

Many of our residents have been lifelong volunteers and contributors to a range of worthy causes. Why should they stop now? We believe that leading a life with purpose is one of the most important things we can do for our residents. That is why there is always a new project in the works to help them give back to the community.

Tiffany Bell, life engagement director for Cascade Creek Memory Care explained the benefits in a recent interview with KIMT TV. “Sometimes, a diagnosis of dementia might feel like it robs the person of an ability to give back. The truth is we just have to help with the process. Residents come alive when they’re doing something for others, and the feeling they get --- the feeling that we all get when we care for others doesn’t go away just because someone is living with a diagnosis of dementia.”

(Our header image is a wonderful collage of Highline Place Memory Care residents in Littleton, Colorado getting boxes together for Operation Christmas Child!”