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 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 […]
VIEW ARTICLE March 10, 2025 5:29 pm Familiar & Simple Environments Think about how comforting it is to walk into a space that just “makes sense.” For a person with dementia, familiar sights and arrangements help lower anxiety and promote a sense of security. This is why carefully chosen furniture, predictable layouts, and clear signage can make daily life more manageable. The fewer distractions or complex […]
VIEW ARTICLE March 4, 2025 9:11 pm Vision & Dementia Clear vision can significantly reduce confusion and restlessness for someone with dementia. When a person’s surroundings appear blurry or distorted, it can heighten anxiety and contribute to disorientation. Regular eye exams and well-fitting glasses are practical ways to help individuals feel more secure and aware of what’s around them. In addition to ensuring the correct […]
VIEW ARTICLE February 28, 2025 4:15 pm Small Adjustments, Meaningful Moments This February, consider the small adjustments that can make a big impact: Dementia can make the world feel unpredictable and unfamiliar, but with thoughtful, compassionate choices, we can create moments of comfort, connection, and joy. After all, love isn’t measured by what someone remembers—it’s felt in the warmth of the present moment. So, what small […]
