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Memory Upgrade

Entrepreneurs develop new ways to treat Alzheimer's.

By Nichole L. Torres •

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, an estimated 4.5million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer'sdisease--by 2050, that number is expected to grow to between 11.3million and 16 million. These companies are stepping up withinnovative ways to treat Alzheimer's or help seniors improvetheir cognitive ability:

  • Memory Lane Media was founded in Lone Tree, Colorado, in2004, by the team responsible for the Baby Einstein line ofchildren's learning videos, CDs and toys, including JeffMettais, 41; Bill Clark, 53; Julie Aigner-Clark, 38; Mark Burr, 41;and Brian Raffety, 48. Mettais says they wanted to help seniors andAlzheimer's patients with products like memory books and videovignettes of familiar images, such as people at weddings, set towell-known songs like "Auld Lang Syne." The first series,called Family, launched in late 2004 and is sold throughtheir website and Amazon.com. The team hopes to create otherthemes and distribute them through bookstores, catalogs,caregivers, and medical and institutional establishments.
  • TWI Publishing was founded in Van, Texas, in 2002 byLinda Mastaglio, 51, who was disheartened to learn that seniorswith memory issues are often given children's coloring books tostimulate their minds. She created the ColorPad line of coloringbooks for seniors, with themes like "Life in the'50s" and "Life in the '60s." Sold in bulkto senior-care facilities and on her website, thecoloring books help strengthen motor skills and stimulate thoughtthrough questions like, Who were your favorite movie stars in the1950s?

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