VIEW ARTICLE November 26, 2025 3:02 pm Gratitude in Every Moment – Celebrating the Holidays with Loved Ones The holidays invite togetherness – a season of warmth, stories, and gratitude. For families living with dementia, these moments can be both joyful and delicate. With mindful planning, celebration can remain calm, inclusive, and deeply meaningful. The Alzheimer’s Association (2023) encourages families to simplify gatherings – soft lighting, familiar scents, gentle music, and smaller groups […]
VIEW ARTICLE November 19, 2025 10:05 pm Living with Purpose – How Meaningful Moments Shape Memory Care Living with memory loss does not mean losing meaning. At CERTUS Premier Memory Care, purpose is the heartbeat of our work. Through the MAPS® Program – Meaning, Purpose, and Success – residents engage in activities that awaken identity and strengthen confidence. Proofreading newsletters, planning menus, or nurturing the community garden all remind individuals that they […]
VIEW ARTICLE November 12, 2025 4:44 pm Caring for the Caregiver – Finding Strength in Shared Support Behind every person living with dementia is someone walking beside them—offering patience, structure, and unwavering love. But even the most devoted caregivers need care themselves. The AARP and National Alliance for Caregiving (2025) report that nearly two-thirds of dementia caregivers experience moderate or high emotional stress, and almost half face physical strain. Balancing family, work, […]
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 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 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 […]
VIEW ARTICLE June 4, 2025 2:29 pm Let the Light In – Resetting the Dementia Clock June brings the perfect reminder that light is life. For those living with dementia, exposure to morning sunlight can serve as a gentle reset button for the body’s internal clock. Just like the seasons, our brains respond to environmental cues—and light is one of the most powerful. Encourage loved ones to start their day with […]
VIEW ARTICLE April 29, 2019 3:35 pm Don’t Miss The Sunrise Due To Sundowning Sundowning, or sundown syndrome, is a neurological phenomenon characterized by increased confusion and agitation that typically occurs later in the day. This condition is not a disease itself but a group of symptoms/behaviors that occur in the later afternoon and span into the night. Sundowning can cause a variety of behaviors, such as confusion, anxiety, […]
VIEW ARTICLE August 1, 2018 12:59 pm Brain Health & Neuroplasticity The brain is made up of over 100 billion neurons. Some research even says, we know more about space than we do about our own brain! Many people have heard the myth that we only use 10% of our brains. Research suggests that we use 100%; however, this misconception comes from the idea that we […]
