VIEW ARTICLE October 16, 2025 1:09 am When Costumes Confuse – Supporting Loved Ones with Dementia During Halloween For many, Halloween is a season of laughter and imagination. But for individuals living with dementia, flashing lights, eerie sounds, and masked faces can cause significant distress. Certain types of dementia – particularly Lewy Body dementia and Parkinson’s-related dementia – can make a person more prone to visual hallucinations or misperceptions. The Lewy Body Dementia […]
VIEW ARTICLE October 9, 2025 12:29 pm Sweet but Scary – How Halloween Sugar Haunts the Brain Halloween brings excitement, nostalgia, and a flood of candy bowls across America. Yet, behind this playful tradition lies a very real concern for our brains. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), diets high in added sugars have been linked to decreased learning ability, impaired memory, and slower cognitive processing (National Institutes of Health, […]
VIEW ARTICLE September 17, 2025 3:25 pm Eating With Purpose – How Food Choices Support Brain Health Food fuels both body and brain, which is why Nutritional Wellness is the fourth pillar of our SPIN® model. At CERTUS, we design menus that go beyond nutrition to actively support cognitive function, emotional health, and social engagement. Brain-healthy ingredients – leafy greens, colorful vegetables, omega-3-rich fish, nuts, berries, and anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric – […]
VIEW ARTICLE October 16, 2025 1:09 am When Costumes Confuse – Supporting Loved Ones with Dementia During Halloween For many, Halloween is a season of laughter and imagination. But for individuals living with dementia, flashing lights, eerie sounds, and masked faces can cause significant distress. Certain types of dementia – particularly Lewy Body dementia and Parkinson’s-related dementia – can make a person more prone to visual hallucinations or misperceptions. The Lewy Body Dementia […]
VIEW ARTICLE September 10, 2025 6:51 pm Staying Curious – How Mental Engagement Supports Quality of Life At CERTUS, we believe that curiosity is fuel for the brain. Intellectual Wellness, another pillar in our SPIN® model, plays a crucial role in keeping residents engaged, confident, and cognitively strong. The brain thrives on challenge. Research shows that mental engagement promotes cognitive reserve – the brain’s ability to adapt, rewire, and resist the effects […]
VIEW ARTICLE September 5, 2025 2:31 pm Moving with Purpose – How Daily Engagement Boosts Brain Health Movement isn’t just about muscles – it’s also about the mind. Physical engagement increases blood flow to the brain, delivering oxygen and nutrients essential for cognitive health. That’s why Physical Wellness is a core pillar in CERTUS’s SPIN® model. Our signature Fit Moments® program encourages residents to take part in short bursts of purposeful engagement […]
VIEW ARTICLE August 26, 2025 7:32 pm Staying Connected – Why Social Engagement Matters in Memory Care At CERTUS Premier Memory Care, we know that relationships don’t just add joy to life—they actively support brain health, emotional stability, and even physical well-being. That’s why Social Wellness is the first pillar in our SPIN® model, guiding how we provide care every day. For individuals living with dementia, remaining socially engaged is vital to maintaining […]
VIEW ARTICLE August 1, 2025 12:58 am Designing with Light – Making Dementia-Friendly Spaces at Home Good lighting does more than brighten a room – it can improve safety, reduce confusion, and support brain health. For seniors, especially those living with dementia, lighting design plays an important role in maintaining a sense of security and well-being. As people age, their eyes require more light to see clearly. Shadows, glare, or poor […]
VIEW ARTICLE July 16, 2025 4:11 pm The Dementia Brain and the Healing Power of Circadian Lighting For individuals with dementia, the brain often struggles to process environmental cues. One of the most powerful – yet frequently overlooked – cues is light. Unlike standard overhead bulbs, circadian lighting mimics the natural changes of sunlight throughout the day. It supports the body’s internal rhythm and can reduce many common dementia-related challenges. Bright, blue-toned […]
VIEW ARTICLE July 9, 2025 10:51 am Lighting the Way – How Natural Light Aligns Our Inner Clock As the summer sun stretches across longer days, we receive more than just warmth—we receive a natural tool for improving health: sunlight. Our bodies operate on a 24-hour internal clock called the circadian rhythm, which influences everything from sleep and appetite to mood and mental clarity. For older adults and people living with dementia, this […]
VIEW ARTICLE June 26, 2025 4:09 pm Light as Therapy – Embracing the Healing Power of the Sun Sunlight is more than brightness – it’s therapy. For individuals living with dementia, natural light supports sleep, stabilizes mood, and fosters daily engagement. Let June be a month where caregivers intentionally use light not just to brighten rooms, but to lift spirits and bring rhythm back into life. Fact: Sunlight exposure has been linked to […]
VIEW ARTICLE June 20, 2025 3:17 pm Sunset Cues – Winding Down with Intentional Evening Lighting As the sun begins to set, our environments should send cues that it’s time to rest. For people living with dementia, overstimulation or too much light in the evening can contribute to agitation and poor sleep. Transition to warm-toned, dim lighting and quiet routines to signal “day’s end” and support a better night’s rest. Fact: […]
VIEW ARTICLE June 12, 2025 9:57 pm Midday Magic – Keeping Energy Up Through Light and Movement Once the body is “awake,” keeping energy and engagement up through the day is key. Midday light keeps the brain stimulated and helps prevent drowsiness, confusion, or agitation later in the day. Combine light with movement—like a walk, household task, or hobby – to boost participation and reduce late-day fatigue. Fact: Natural daylight exposure in […]
