Ken Wessel – Ken Wessel

Florida Association Offers Memory Help for People with Alzheimer’s

A veteran of the fragrance industry, Ken Wessel is the founder of Wessel Fragrances of New Jersey, a company he owned for 20 years. Ken Wessel has donated to many worthy causes in Florida, such as the Alzheimer’s & Parkinson Association of Indian River County. Located at 2300 5th Avenue, Suite 150 in Vero Beach, Florida, the association offers several programs for people who have memory problems due to Alzheimer’s or other conditions.

One common fear of Alzheimer’s caregivers is that their loved one will get lost. Operation Lifesaver addresses this problem by equipping patients with bracelet tracking devices. If someone wanders away, law enforcement officers can track their movements on the ground and in the air. They generally find the patients in 30 minutes, which is a great improvement over other methods.

The association also works with the Vero Beach Museum of Art to help jog patients’ memories. Its Movement in the Moment program uses music to stimulate mild exercise. Meanwhile, the Artful Engagement class facilitates self-expression and relaxation through painting, sculpting, and other activities. Music and pet therapy round out the association’s memory respite programs.

The organization also sets up memory screenings, which involve 20- to 30-minute tests where older adults answer questions and perform tasks. Results are available on the spot and can be given to doctors. The association recommends screenings for people over 50, and earlier if Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia run in the family.

PCPC Promotes Global Halting of Animal Testing

Vero Beach, Florida resident Ken Wessel founded Wessel Fragrances, Inc. in 1988 and grew it to a multi-million dollar company before its eventual sale. Ken Wessel maintained a keen interest in the beauty and fragrances industry and was a member of the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC).

PCPC is committed to enhancing sustainability across the entire beauty and personal care products value chain. By working together with its members, the organization drives sustainable impact on the environmental, social, and economic fronts while promoting good governance in the industry. One of the areas where the organization is heavily engaged in is the fight against animal testing.

PCPC advocates for a global end to all animal testing and urges beauty products manufacturers not to use animals for product safety tests. PCPC’s member companies themselves do not test products on animals and have not done so since the mid-1980s unless required by law. Through collaborations with regulators, academic institutions, scientists, and private sector groups across the globe, PCPC is encouraging the use of alternative testing methods to evaluate product safety. The organization is working with the International Cooperation on Alternative Test Methods to promote its tests.

Addressing Family Factors That Can Lead to Child Abuse

Over the course of his 50-year career, fragrance and cosmetics executive Ken Wessel has held leadership positions in multiple industry organizations, including the Personal Care Products Council. Today, Ken Wessel devotes his time to supporting nonprofits serving the southeast Florida community, such as the local Child Abuse Prevention Services.

Child abuse is more likely to occur in families facing stressors due to individual and environmental conditions. For example, families with a history of mental illness, addiction, or domestic violence have a higher risk of child maltreatment.

Additionally, parents who had their children at a young age or who lack an understanding of child development are also more likely to be neglectful or abusive. Child abuse is more prevalent in neighborhoods afflicted by high levels of unemployment and poverty.

These factors are even more straining if the child is very dependent due to age or disability. Child abuse prevention programs provide support to families in high-risk situations to reduce family stresses and educate parents on how to interact positively with their children.