GALVESTON, Texas – Moody Gardens’ Education Center will once again host “Growing Together,” a seven-part series designed to help people living with the early stages of Alzheimer’s to remain mentally and socially active after their diagnosis.

Great advances have been made in the ability to detect Alzheimer’s in its early stages, so many dementia-related programs have been able to be more focused on serving people in this phase of the disease. The Alzheimer’s Association encourages early detection so that families can plan for the future together and take advantage of available resources. One such resource is programs like this which provide opportunities for appropriate social engagement where participants can interact and connect with others who are facing similar challenges.

“We are very excited to be able to bring this program back to Moody Gardens for a second year,” said Jennifer Lamm, Education Curator, who added that the diverse range of activities and attractions we offer provide the perfect opportunities to engage and explore.

The Alzheimer’s Association Early-Stage Social Engagement Program offers a fun and comfortable way for people in the early stage of the disease to get out, get active and get connected with one another through a variety of community-based activities and events. October’s activity will focus on the enrichment of the many animals living at Moody Gardens. Enrichment is anything that can be added to an animal’s habitat to change their environment and engage their minds. Participants will join Moody Gardens’ Biologists in making Halloween enrichment crafts consisting of ghosts, spiders, bats and more for the different animals and then be able to watch their reactions as the materials are hung in their enclosures as a fun, exciting new object for them to play with.

Programs will be held on the first Tuesday of every month beginning on Oct. 3 and ending on Apr. 3 from 9:30-11 a.m. to coincide with Senior Tuesdays at Moody Gardens. Senior Tuesdays offers guests 65 and older a One-Day Value Pass for $30. The Value Pass includes admission to the Aquarium Pyramid, Rainforest Pyramid, Discovery Pyramid, Colonel Paddlewheel Boat, and movies at both the 3D and 4D Theaters.

For more information on the series’ upcoming events and how to register, please contact volunteers@moodygardens.org or call 409-683-4108.

Moody Gardens® is a public, non-profit, educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research.