VIEW ARTICLE September 15, 2026 8:00 am Neuroplasticity Lifestyle Changes for Seniors That Have a Big Impact Although the brain naturally changes with age, many people are surprised to learn that simple lifestyle adjustments can meaningfully improve cognitive function. These adjustments can come from physical, mental, and social activities that keep the brain active and delay age-related decline. Who knew that daily walks or consistent chats with friends or family can affect […]
VIEW ARTICLE September 1, 2026 8:00 am The Function of Color Psychology in Memory Care When it comes to memory loss, color does more than just add a pop of vibrancy to a room. Color psychology in memory care helps individuals living with dementia make sense of their environment. Studies show intentional use of color can reduce anxiety, support independence, and help people living with dementia feel more at home. […]
VIEW ARTICLE August 15, 2026 8:00 am What is Sundowning? How to Recognize and Manage Symptoms When evening arrives, you may notice a change in your loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The calm of the afternoon gives way to confusion, restlessness, or worry. This shift is called sundowning, sometimes referred to as “sundowner’s syndrome.” If you’ve witnessed it, you know how unsettling it can be for everyone involved, […]
VIEW ARTICLE May 22, 2025 2:35 pm Hand in Hand: Strengthening the Resident-Caregiver Bond In dementia care, the relationship between the person receiving care and the caregiver is the heart of everything. This blog will focus on how to nurture that connection with intention and care. By spending quality time together, respecting boundaries, and learning each other’s rhythms, both individuals grow stronger. Using communication techniques, personal rituals, and shared […]
VIEW ARTICLE May 15, 2025 2:37 pm From Seedling to Support: Growing a Community of Care Care doesn’t happen in isolation. Behind every bloom is a web of roots. This blog will focus on building your care network—friends, family, professionals, and support groups. The more support you grow, the more sustainable your care becomes. Whether it’s joining an online support group or scheduling a family check-in call, your connections matter. They […]
VIEW ARTICLE May 8, 2025 2:10 pm Bloom Where You’re Planted: Creating Joy in Everyday Spaces A hallway, a couch, a kitchen—these are not just places. They are opportunities. This blog will explore how to create engaging moments in ordinary spaces using conversation starters, sensory cues, and personal objects. The home can be filled with purposeful activities that make each day meaningful. Sit in the kitchen and share the smell of […]
VIEW ARTICLE May 1, 2025 5:32 pm May Blossoms: Celebrating Small Wins in Dementia Care May is here, and with it, the blooms of our early-season efforts. It’s time to celebrate the small victories: a shared laugh, a peaceful meal, a calm transition. These are the flowers of dementia care, and they are just as worthy of celebration as the big milestones. Sometimes we overlook progress because it doesn’t look […]
VIEW ARTICLE April 24, 2025 11:41 pm Planting the Future: Using Lifestyle Medicine to Sow Wellness Before May’s blooms, we need to plant intentionally. Lifestyle approaches—nutrition, movement, sleep, social connection, and sensory stimulation—are seeds that make a real difference in quality of life. These are not just buzzwords; they are evidence-based strategies that help treat the symptoms of dementia. At CERTUS, these principles come to life through the SPIN® model: · […]
VIEW ARTICLE April 16, 2025 3:23 pm Rainy Days, Reflective Moments: Caregiver Growth Through Challenges April’s rains can feel heavy, much like the emotional toll of caregiving. But these rainy moments hold deep purpose. They encourage us to stop, reflect, and grow. Caregiving isn’t always graceful, and that’s okay. Growth happens in the discomfort too. One helpful framework is the COACH approach: · Connect authentically · Observe mindfully · Act […]
VIEW ARTICLE April 9, 2025 2:03 pm Feeding the Roots: The Role of Gentle Conversations Conversations are like nutrients to the roots of dementia care. April is a great time to reflect on how we speak and what we say. The questions we ask can either build connection or unintentionally cause confusion or shame. This month, try to avoid memory-based questions and instead offer sensory or visual cues. Create connection […]
VIEW ARTICLE April 2, 2025 1:54 pm April Showers of Knowledge: Watering the Seeds of Dementia Care In dementia care, April is the month we water the seeds—learning, unlearning, and growing in understanding. Like a garden needs consistent rain, great care needs consistent reflection and education. Every insight we gain—whether from a loved one’s changing behavior or a new piece of research—is a drop of water feeding our ability to offer person-centered, […]
VIEW ARTICLE March 24, 2025 5:54 pm Hearing & Dementia Hearing is an essential link to the world around us. For someone with dementia, untreated hearing loss can intensify confusion, frustration, and social withdrawal. When sounds are unclear or conversations are missed, it becomes harder to stay involved, leading to potential isolation. Encouraging regular hearing tests and making sure hearing aids are in good working […]
VIEW ARTICLE March 17, 2025 2:31 pm Space & Dementia Exploration and discovery can play a significant role in helping someone with dementia feel engaged and purposeful. When environments are limited to tight hallways or confined spaces, residents may experience boredom, agitation, or anxiety. By providing areas like a Town Center, where people can walk, socialize, and safely explore different stations, we encourage healthy mental […]
