VIEW ARTICLE November 6, 2025 10:15 pm A Month to Remember – Why Alzheimer’s Awareness Matters Every November, communities nationwide unite for Alzheimer’s Awareness Month – a season not of fear, but of understanding and connection. As the National Institute for Dementia Education (2019) reminds us through its Educational Seminar / Dementia Training, awareness is more than information; it’s the first act of compassionate care. Recognizing subtle cognitive shifts early can […]
VIEW ARTICLE October 30, 2025 12:14 am Safe and Sweet – Preparing for Trick-or-Treaters When Living with Dementia The doorbell rings, laughter echoes, and tiny monsters appear at the door – Halloween night can be both delightful and disorienting. For individuals living with dementia, these changes in sound, light, and routine can increase confusion or anxiety. The National Institute on Aging notes that even small disruptions in routine can cause restlessness or wandering […]
VIEW ARTICLE October 22, 2025 5:34 pm Trick, Treat, and Reminisce – Using Photos to Anchor the Season Sometimes, the sweetest Halloween moments aren’t about candy – they’re about connection. For those living with dementia, revisiting photographs from past holidays can help spark joy and orientation through Photo-Based Reminiscence Therapy (PRT). This technique encourages individuals to look at familiar images while discussing memories connected to them. Research published in Frontiers in Psychology found […]
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 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 July 23, 2025 11:38 pm Caregivers Need the Sun Too – How Natural Light Boosts Mood and Energy When you’re caring for someone else, it’s easy to forget to care for yourself. But taking time to soak in a bit of sunshine can improve your energy, focus, and mood. And it doesn’t take much—just 15 to 30 minutes of natural light per day can make a big difference. Natural light helps regulate serotonin, […]
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: […]
