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 January 21, 2025 5:30 pm Focus on What They Can Do, Not What They Can’t January is synonymous with fresh starts and positive change, making it an ideal time to reframe how you view your loved one’s capabilities. Instead of focusing on their limitations, turn your attention to what they can do. Highlighting strengths builds confidence and self-worth. Simple tasks, like helping with a chore or engaging in a familiar […]
VIEW ARTICLE May 26, 2022 9:00 am Conducting Photo-based Reminiscent Therapy Session As published in February of 2022 in the “Cognitive Benefits of Photo Reminiscence Therapy for Dementia Patients” research study, Photo Reminiscence Therapy (pRT) can improve the quality of life for those living with dementia or related forms of memory impairment. Conducted by a coalition of organizations, including the National Institute for Dementia Education, the CERTUS Institute, Vivid-Pix, Tellegacy, and achi, the […]
VIEW ARTICLE December 8, 2020 9:00 am Making Of The Most Of The Holidays With Dementia (And Covid-19!) The holiday season is a joyful time, but it can also be stressful — especially now, as we try to navigate celebrations during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on understanding the impacts that COVID is having on people who are living with dementia, making holidays with dementia a topic of concern for the CERTUS Institute. […]
VIEW ARTICLE June 16, 2020 10:15 am Celebrating Father’s Day When Dad Has Dementia Celebrating holidays during a pandemic is not easy for anyone, much less when dad has dementia. You may be left wondering how to celebrate in a meaningful way. You are not alone. About 15.7 million family caregivers care for someone who has dementia. [Alzheimer’s Association. (2015). 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.] Father’s Day is a […]
VIEW ARTICLE June 16, 2019 9:58 am The Mind Diet – What Is It And How Does It Help Memory Loss? The Connection Between Dementia and Nutrition Wondering about the connection between dementia and nutrition? The MIND diet was created using research about how food affects the rate of cognitive aging and your risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD). This healthy and easy-to-follow diet is also highly recommended by physicians and experts in memory care. Even being […]
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 March 5, 2019 4:01 pm Dementia Care: Adapting To Change We all change over time. Some changes we make by choice, and some changes are out of our control. Big changes that are out of our control can be very difficult to cope with, but for our well-being, we must learn to adapt. Some of the changes that accompany dementia can be scary. We must try […]
VIEW ARTICLE October 4, 2018 12:06 am The Importance Of Autonomy With Dementia Care Over the years, dementia care autonomy has evolved in many ways. When looking for a memory care community, there are several key questions you should ask. For example, “how much autonomy will my loved one have? Will they have access to the outside? Will they go on trips to the local museum? Do they have […]
VIEW ARTICLE September 4, 2018 1:47 pm What Is Non-pharmacological? The term Non-pharmacological is a fancy word for non-medical. Non-pharmacological interventions to dementia, such as using a research-based design that can foster independence may be the right option for your loved one. Another example of a Non-pharmacological approach is use of programming that utilizes social, physical, intellectual, and nutritional engagement. Non-pharmacological interventions often focus on […]
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 […]
