Shutterfly Partners with Alzheimer’s Association to Share the Power of Photos for People with Alzheimer’s Disease

Shutterfly and the Alzheimer’s Association partner to develop actionable photo therapy tips for families and caregivers

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--()--Shutterfly, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFLY) today formally announced a partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association to share the benefits of using photos as reminiscence therapy with people living with Alzheimer’s disease. The company’s support began in June with a $25,000 donation that will help fund Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. Shutterfly’s involvement will continue throughout 2015 with fundraising, social activations, event sponsorship and local participation in Walk to End Alzheimer’s events around the country. Additionally, for every pre-selected Shutterfly “family memory” photo book sold this summer, the company will donate $1 to the Alzheimer’s Association.

This month, aided by the expertise of the Alzheimer’s Association, Shutterfly has launched a new resource page that offers “Top Photo Tips for Families Facing Alzheimer’s Disease,” research-guided suggestions on how to use photos with people living with Alzheimer’s and tips for putting together a meaningful photo book for people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers (www.shutterfly.com/alz). Shutterfly’s long heritage in helping families share life’s joy through photos uniquely positions it to help the more than five million Americans living with this devastating disease, and their 15 million caregivers. These tips also include practical guidance for engaging those with Alzheimer’s disease and using photos as tangible prompts for conversation:

Top Photo Tips for Families Facing Alzheimer’s

Compiled by, Alzheimer’s Association® in partnership with Shutterfly.

  1. Place photos in chronological order. Photo books can be great tools for showing someone’s life history or story. Start your photo book at the beginning of the person’s life and lead up to the present day. Organize the book around key moments and concentrate on happy occasions to assist with engagement. Also, keep the design simple, with one or two pictures per page, so the photos are easy to focus on.
  2. Show relationships. To help spark recognition of family members, dedicate a section to each person. Choose photos that include the person with the family member from different life stages and place them in chronological order.
  3. Select meaningful moments. Be sure to include photos that reflect the person’s meaningful life moments and depict his/her favorite hobbies or activities, such as weddings, graduations and vacations.
  4. Make it an activity. Work with the individual as appropriate to create the book, and share memories and conversation as you put it together.
  5. Engage in conversation. Ask open-ended questions about the people or events in the photo. How were you feeling in that picture? Tell me about your brother. What are some of your favorite childhood stories? Tell me more about this picture. The answers are less important than the conversation and engagement.
  6. Share your own memories. As part of the conversation, share your memories and feelings when looking at the pictures. Answer some of the same questions you’re asking the person with Alzheimer’s.
  7. Connect, don’t correct. This is more about making a connection and sharing memories. Focus on connecting with the person, not correcting them.
  8. Revisit frequently. Take the time to frequently revisit memories using the photos. Do what works best for the individual. It may be daily or weekly, depending on the person.
  9. Mix it up. Don’t discuss the same set of photos week after week. To help keep it fresh and interesting, discuss various parts of the book with different people and events on a regular basis.
  10. Move at a comfortable pace. Follow cues from the individual to gage their interest level and determine how much time to spend per photo. Spend more time on the ones that spark interest or conversation and move on if they do not.

“Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that strikes close to home for Shutterfly because it impacts the entire family more than any other disease, including many of our employees’ families,” said Lara Hoyem, general manager of photo books for Shutterfly. “Bringing families together through photos is at the core of what we do at Shutterfly and we look forward to applying this expertise to help move forward the Alzheimer’s Association’s laudable commitment to eradicate this awful disease.”

“Alzheimer’s is the only leading cause of death in the top 10 with no way to treat or slow it. This Shutterfly partnership will help to both raise awareness about ways to connect with individuals living with the Alzheimer’s while also supporting cutting edge research and the families and caregivers grappling with the disease,” said Beth Kallmyer, vice president, constituent services, Alzheimer’s Association. “We’re excited about Shutterfly’s willingness to package their expertise in family photos with the expertise of the Alzheimer’s Association in working with people with the disease and families.”

About Shutterfly, Inc.

Shutterfly, Inc. is the leading manufacturer and digital retailer of high-quality personalized products and services offered through a family of lifestyle brands. Founded in 1999, the Shutterfly, Inc. family of brands includes Shutterfly, where your photos come to life in photo books, cards and gifts; Tiny Prints premium cards and stationery for all life's occasions; Wedding Paper Divas, wedding invitations and stationery for every step of the planning process; MyPublisher, one of the pioneers in the photo book industry and creator of easy-to-use photo book-making software; ThisLife, a private, cloud-based solution that makes it easy for consumers to find, share and enjoy their photos and videos, all in one place; and BorrowLenses, the premier online marketplace for photographic and video equipment rentals. For more information about Shutterfly, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFLY), visit www.shutterflyinc.com.

About The Alzheimer’s Association

Alzheimer’s Association® The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit alz.org.

Contacts

Shutterfly, Inc.
Jeff Majtyka, 646-759-3635 (Investors)
jmajtyka@shutterfly.com
Nicole Stier, 650-610-6013 (Media)
nstier@shutterfly.com
or
Alzheimer’s Association
Kate Meyer, 312-604-2435
kmeyer@alz.org

Release Summary

Shutterfly Partners with Alzheimer’s Association to Share the Power of Photos for People with Alzheimer’s Disease

Contacts

Shutterfly, Inc.
Jeff Majtyka, 646-759-3635 (Investors)
jmajtyka@shutterfly.com
Nicole Stier, 650-610-6013 (Media)
nstier@shutterfly.com
or
Alzheimer’s Association
Kate Meyer, 312-604-2435
kmeyer@alz.org