Giving Back With Purpose – Kemper’s Memory Care Fund

As the holiday season approaches, thoughts of shopping, decorating, meal planning, and giving back fill our minds. Giving back doesn’t have to be complicated or require a large investment—it’s often the simple gestures that make a difference. For those whose lives have been touched by Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, you may be looking for ways to contribute. Volunteering your time and talents at Kemper House is always an option, but we also invite you to consider the Kemper Memory Care Fund.

Founded in 2006 by Betty Kemper and her daughter Kristin, with the support of the Community West Foundation, the Memory Care Fund was created to directly benefit individuals living with memory loss and their caregivers. This donor-advised fund provides a way for family and friends to make a tax-deductible donation in memory or honor of a loved one affected by dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.

The fund has two primary goals: to enrich the lives of those with memory loss through enhanced programming and to support training and educational resources for those who care for them. Employees at Kemper House are encouraged to submit requests for funding activities or educational initiatives that improve the lives of residents and staff. An Advisory Board reviews and approves requests that align with the mission of the Memory Care Fund, supporting both Kemper House programs and community outreach efforts.

So far in 2024, your generous donations to the Memory Care Fund have made it possible for us to accomplish a wide range of wonderful initiatives for our residents and staff. Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to update the chicken coops and keep the Kemper gardens thriving, creating inviting and comforting spaces for everyone to enjoy. The donations have also allowed us to provide wonderful experiences through outings, including baseball games, trolley rides, Magic of Christmas Lights tours, and visits from the Polar Xpress Ice Cream Truck. Additionally, the funds enable us to bring in entertainers and therapy programs, such as Jungle Terry, Fieldstone Farms, and Diana from LadyBug Ranch, creating meaningful interactions that brighten our residents’ days.

Beyond these enriching activities, your contributions have supported essential Alzheimer’s and dementia training, including the Virtual Dementia Tour, which helps our Kemper Krew, family members, and community members gain a deeper empathy for those living with memory loss. Funds have also covered resources like books for New Family Orientations and events such as the Fall Harvest Festival at Kemper House Highland Heights. Thanks to your generosity, we have introduced fish tanks at Kemper House Highland Heights and will soon add them at Kemper House Strongsville!

There are several simple ways to donate:

• You can make a donation online by following this link: Memory Care Fund Donation Link. Under the dropdown box, click “Memory Care Fund (Kemper Houses). If you would like your donation to be in honor or in memory of someone, be sure to click the box “Dedicate my donation in honor or in memory of someone”. You can type your loved one’s name in that box.
• You can make a donation in honor/memory of your loved one by writing a check to “Community West Foundation” and mailing/dropping off at either Kemper House location.
• You can purchase flowers from our annual Kemper House flower sale held in May. All proceeds are donated to the Memory Care Fund.
• Purchase the book Talk to Me by Carol Sereix, available at the front desk at both Kemper Houses. Talk to Me is a compilation of some of the best stories and poems written by Kemper House residents over the last 15 years.  The book brings hope and inspiration to all those who have or know someone who has Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementias. All proceeds are donated to the Memory Care Fund.  You can watch the video about this production here on our website: https://kemperhouse.com/kemper-difference/

If you are making plans for charitable giving this year, we hope you will consider Kemper House and the Memory Care Fund. If you have made a donation to the Memory Care Fund in the past, we sincerely thank you. From all of our residents and Kemper House staff, we wish you and your family every happiness this holiday season.

-Amanda Radca, The Kemper Company