Jiminy Wicket, an international organization founded in 2009, is using the
simple game of croquet to:
• Raise awareness of the disease of dementia
• Raise funds for research
• Raise the quality of life for those suffering with the disease.
Jiminy Wicket was created after Englishman James Creasey played a memorable game of croquet with his father, Maxwell, who was losing his language, memory and abilities due to dementia. According to James, “Dad may have been confused, post-verbal and not able to find his way down the corridor, but with a little guidance he could play a cracking game of croquet.” The game gave them many days of shared happiness until his death in 2009.
Inspired by the mental, physical and social benefits the game provided for his father, James started a program with the Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter and the Denver Croquet Club. He named the new effort Jiminy Wicket. Programs and affiliations caught on quickly, and partners now include the United States Croquet Association, the United States Alzheimer’s Association, the World Croquet Federation and Alzheimer’s Disease International. Jiminy Wicket is bringing this profoundly simple opportunity to people and families around the world and working to disrupt the path of dementia through three programs:
• Let’s play Croquet! to raise the quality of care for people today
• Through Hoops to Hope to raise awareness and funds to find a cure
• Anyone for Croquet U.K? a hospitality tool for our corporate and global partners
Croquet is a high-benefit, low-cost, intergenerational game. It can be played indoors and outdoors, by celebrities on the international stage, by the residents of care homes and by families in backyards around the world. People using wheelchairs and walkers, and 3-year-olds to 83-year-olds can all be included. Croquet’s ability to create connections between people of all ages and physical and mental abilities is quite remarkable. Let’s play!