December Event (2025)

The second Memory Bridge Student Initiative session served as an important moment of program refinement and helped solidify several long-term decisions about activity design. During this event, the program experimented with air-dry clay activities rather than the pre-lined painting frames used in the first session.

While the clay activity allowed for creative expression, it ultimately proved less effective for the memory-care environment. Unlike the painting activity, clay projects were less structured and required residents to make more decisions about shaping and design. This increased cognitive demand made participation more difficult for some residents. Additionally, clay required greater fine motor control, which reduced accessibility for residents with limited hand mobility.

Another concern involved safety and supervision. Because clay is a tactile material, there was a greater possibility that residents might attempt to place it in their mouths, which required volunteers to monitor the activity more closely. The clay also dried quickly, which sometimes created frustration when residents struggled to continue shaping their work after it hardened.

These challenges ultimately reinforced the effectiveness of pre-lined painting frames, which provided a clear structure while still allowing residents to express creativity. As a result, the program shifted back to painting activities in subsequent sessions and formally adopted pre-lined frames as the standard activity format.

This session also highlighted an important reality of working in memory-care environments: each event can vary significantly depending on resident energy levels and engagement. During this December session, many residents appeared noticeably more tired and less responsive than during the first event. While this initially created concern about the effectiveness of the activity, later sessions demonstrated that engagement can fluctuate naturally. For example, the February session showed much higher participation and enthusiasm, reaffirming that occasional quieter events are a normal part.

Volunteer and resident working air-dry clay project together

Overall, this session emphasized two key lessons: the importance of maintaining structured activities that reduce cognitive and motor demands, and the need for volunteers to remain flexible and patient, recognizing that resident engagement may vary from session to session.