It is hard to believe we have made it to the end of another year and even harder to believe we are in the last day of the decade. This is a time to reflect on the events of the past year and look forward to our goals for the next. At Person Centred Universe, our motto has always been that in everything we do, we want to ensure we are making the world a better place for people living with dementia. We have had the opportunity t...

As Christmas fast approaches we wanted to share some thoughts on how to make this time of year an enjoyable one for people who are living with dementia and their loved ones. It is a time  that brings joy and happiness into many people’s lives, but the hustle and bustle of the season can often cause it to be a stressful and overwhelming time of year for some. We want to help change that with six simple tips to help you not only...

FOOD + JOY

Many of us would agree: Eating is one of the greatest pleasures in life. This holds true, if not more so, in nursing homes and memory care facilities where the entire day revolves around eating.  Many residents begin their day with a health care worker hurrying them to the dining room to get ready for breakfast. Within a few hours, everyone is preparing for lunch and then an afternoon snack during a group event follo...

Delirium is a commonly misdiagnosed condition that is usually caused by the presence of an acute illness causing cognitive impairment.  People often confuse delirium with dementia, while under the impression that only people with dementia can develop delirium, but this is not true.  In fact there are multiple ways a person can become delirious, often due to an underlying health condition, lack of or use of certain medication,...

Disclaimer: Any and all elements of this post DO NOT prevent or treat the diagnosis of dementia. They are useful activities to incorporate into your daily regime to enhance cognitive wellbeing. 

Although there is no known cure for dementia, there are many preventative measures an individual can take in order to lessen their chances of developing the disease, along with ways to live well after diagnosis.  Keeping the brain...

A common misbelief that someone with dementia can’t understand what’s going on around them is something that may only be partly true in the later stages of dementia.  Many people in the early stages of dementia are fully able to understand their situation and what is going on around them. They are able to live successfully in the present with the appropriate support from loved ones and their care partners.  Things may become m...

One of our favorite sayings is that ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’.  Although ultimately, organizations strive to achieve the  goal of top-down, bottom-up, complete reform to all aspects of an organization through processes, policies and activities and functions. However, complete and total reform is seeded through taking on small tasks and functions, piece by piece, to build and develop culture.  By choosing low hanging fruit t...

With the increase in life expectancy and the number of people over the age of 65 expected to double in the next 40 years it is important to understand the difference between normal signs of aging and signs of dementia.  Normal cognitive changes can be mistaken as early stages of dementia but as we age these changes can be expected which is why it is important to distinguish between the two. 

According to the Alzheimer’s So...

Do you know the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s? Have you or someone you know ever said, “dementia is a form of Alzheimer’s?” Well, you’re not alone! It’s actually very common for people to confuse the two terms and use them interchangeably. In fact, 60-70% of cases are Alzheimer’s, so it makes sense why so many people think of Alzheimer’s and not dementia. In this first blog post of our dispelling myth series, we...

True Doors are unique, they provide character, and they help engage residents in way-finding and showcasing their identity and promoting a sense of home. 

True Doors are an affordable, easy to install door decal that can engage residents and staff, community and students in learning the story and life history of our residents.  

We are often asked 'how could someone fund a True Doors project to install in our community?...