Providing therapeutic activities for hundreds of people suffering with Alzheimer's disease has given her an opportunity to develop activities that are successful at any stage of dementia. Amira has shared her techniques with other professionals through caregiver training sessions, and provides workshops approved for 1.5hr, 2hr and 4hr toward activity professional certification. Training hospice care volunteers has been especially rewarding. Amira is a member of the Michigan Association of Activities Professionals, the National Association of Activities Professionals of the Alzheimer's Association. Her techniques have gained the trust and respect of her peers, the medical community, and most importantly, those she has helped reestablish a sense of respect and dignity to their lives - the Alzheimer's victims.

"When I began working with residents in various stages of Alzheimer's, it didn't take long for me to realize that for my activities to be successful I had to address the fear, anger, frustration, low self-esteem, and other negative feelings that were barriers to success. I felt confident that if I got to know them and find their likes and dislikes I could help return some of their memory function and teach them new activities."

"I soon recognized that Alzheimer's residents had their own set of issues and needs and I would have to customize my repertoire of activities to accommodate those limitations and needs. Not only did I recognize a need for specialized activities for residents with Alzheimer's, I realized the progressive nature of Alzheimer's disease, and realized that activities had to be easily adjusted to each individual's needs and abilities as they changed."