About MLR Designs The Reminders

Compassionate Support Since 2001

In 2001, Chloe J. Smith received that phone call we all dread – her mother was in the hospital and was having cognitive and memory issues. Chloe started a company called Weekdays Clothing to create iron-on clothing labels for families and friends with loved ones living in nursing homes. She worked with caregivers and the community to identify what type of products and services are needed for people with special needs.

In 2004, Weekdays Clothing became the go-to for iron-on name tags for the personal clothing of residents in nursing homes, ensuring that laundered clothing could easily be returned to the residents.

In 2007, Chloe registered Memory Lapse Reminder as a medical graphic design at United States Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, D.C. and was awarded.

In 2014, MLR Designs, LLC was created to offer products for starting the conversation of any cognitive concerns. MLR Designs, LLC is certified company through North Carolina Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE).

About Chloe

Chloe J. Smith is the first African-American woman to register 3-condition pattern design.

Chloe has volunteered in the community over the last 25 years while she worked as a government employee. She also was a caregiver to her mother over 15 years. She has self-financed her innovative concept.

Chloe uses her trademark brand to raise awareness to restore dignity and respect to those who experience lack of communication of memory loss. She maintains a healthy lifestyle by educating health care professionals, family members, care partners and friends.

Getting Involved and Staying Involved

Chloe has placed herself among first responders, health care professionals, directors and senior management with both large and small public, private, and nonprofit organizations, including:

Department of Homeland Security reservist programs
North Carolina Association on Aging (NCAOA),
Joseph and Kathleen Bryan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (Bryan ADRC),
AARP of North Carolina
Triangle J Area Agency on Aging (TJAAA) Research Triangle Park,
American Red Cross-Triangle Area Chapter, Disaster Overview and Shelter Operations
Life Community Services (Durham, Norh Carolina), Dementia Friend (Altoona, PA)

She has also been a vital part of the Community through numerous outreach:

First article of concept medical alert people design appeared in Changemaker.org
Strategically working with long distance family members of parents living in nursing homes
Dementia Friendly America initiative (DFA
Education/training for emergency preparedness
Launch Raleigh Fall 2018 entrepreneurship program
Product development and advocate resident rights,
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF)

FINDING THE BRIGHTER SIDE OF CAREGIVING

I’ve found the brighter side of caregiving when I learned how to communicate with my mother through engaging all five senses of sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing. My mother was a church musician so she still loves music and loves to play the piano. So what if she misses a few notes, there are still times when a recognizable tune comes through and we smile. She also is amused by the touch, taste, and smell of various foods. We make a game out of it and I show her something pretty, colorful and pleasant to the eyes and she smiles. In times like this, I can see that we have connected in that brighter side of caregiving by the look on her face and that heartwarming grin.

There are also times when I look into her eyes that I can see how lost she is for words. Yet, even at times like these, I can read her thoughts because I know my mother and words aren’t always needed to convey our inner most feelings. Sometimes we laugh, and other times we cry as our feelings convey unspoken thoughts of scattered memories from other times and people long ago. I realize also that part of my mission in life now is centered in those things that keep us connected on the brighter side of caregiving. That’s when we both are most comfortable and I can see it in the smile on her face. When I see that heartwarming grin it reminds me of the best of times we’ve shared together and I believe it does the same for her.

It was 2001 when I received the dreaded telephone call that my mother was in the hospital and the family needed to make some lifestyle changing decisions about her care. It was difficult asking for help from family and friends and that everyone would do what was needed so we kept things simple and documented everything daily on calendars and Post-It Notes. We also organized a time sharing schedule and “held” people accountable. Finding the brighter side of caregiving helped me maintain order in my own life and connect with my mother and family in ways I never thought I could. Moreover, it helped me become the support and strength my family needed during this difficult time.

Ms. Chloe’s mother, Julia, passed away in September 2014. The family gave many thanks to their physicians, Duke’s Joseph & Kathleen Bryan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Durham, N.C, Raleigh Rehabilitation, Raleigh, N.C., Life International, Research Triangle Park, N.C., MT. Zion Baptist Church, Altoona PA, Story Corps Brooklyn, NY and families and friends.

In memory of my mother, Julia.

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It’s not a loss; it’s just a delay of time in the mind, body and soul. Chloe J. Smith

Independent Artist