vening Connection
Celebrate, Remember, Share
SSNESS IN ALZHEIMER’S
laundry, watering plants, listening to music, or joining a simple activity can create a natural rhythm that supports calmer evenings. Communities designed specifically for dementia care, like the dementia village I visited in the spring, emphasize an “active day” model. Residents are encouraged to walk, participate in clubs, explore safely, and connect with others. As a result, by bedtime, they’re pleasantly tired, not restless or confused. Create a predictable and soothing evening routine. Once the foundation of daytime engagement is in place, a gentle nighttime routine becomes even more effective. Aim for consistency and calm. Soft lighting, familiar music, a warm drink, or light stretching can help signal that the day is winding down. Reducing noise, avoiding overstimulation, and creating a peaceful physical environment all add to the sense of safety and comfort. What’s important is not to rely solely on evening strategies.
Good Memory Day Inspires Connection Across Generations Jan. 19 is Good Memory Day, a great reminder to celebrate the moments, people, and experiences that shape our lives. Memories are a way to carry our past forward, especially as we age and face challenges like dementia or Alzheimer’s. I love thinking about this because, for me, pictures and little reminders are a way to hold on to those memories. One of my favorite childhood memories comes to mind, and I’m not even sure why it stands out so much to me. One summer, my grandmother gave us a membership to a local pool, the Pen Valley Athletic Club. There was something magical about those long summer days, and there’s one thing I remember most: frozen Charleston Chews. If you’ve ever had one, you know they’re not exactly gourmet chocolate. They’re waxy and not too tasty and yet somehow, standing in the kiddie pool, biting into that frozen candy, felt like pure joy. What’s remarkable is how nostalgia transforms even the simplest things. Today, I might still eat a Charleston Chew, not for the flavor, but for the memory it brings back. That’s the beauty of good memories: They encourage us to revisit these moments, cherish them, and recognize their role in shaping who we are. Remembering loved ones we’ve lost is equally important. John O’Donohue, an Irish writer, put it beautifully: “Eternal memory is eternal life.” By keeping memories of those who have passed alive in our hearts, we continue to include them in our lives. Sharing stories with grandchildren or friends ensures their presence, lessons, and love live on, passed from one generation to the next. So, this Jan. 19, take a moment to honor your memories, the small, sweet ones like frozen candies in the sun, and the profound ones that keep loved ones alive in your heart.
They work best when paired with an active day that helps regulate the person’s internal rhythm.
Slow Cooker Birria Tacos
Ingredients
• 3 dried guajillo chiles • 2 dried ancho chiles • 1 medium onion, chopped • 4 garlic cloves • 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes • 3 lbs beef chuck roast • 2 cups beef broth • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp ground cumin • 2 bay leaves • 1 tsp salt • Pepper, to taste • Corn tortillas • Fresh cilantro and diced onion for garnish
Directions
1. Soak dried chiles in hot water for 15 minutes. 2. Process chiles, onion, garlic, and tomatoes in a blender until smooth. 3. Place beef in a slow cooker and pour the chili mixture over it. 4. Add beef broth, vinegar, oregano, cumin, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. 5. Cook on low for 8–10 hours or until the beef is tender. 6. Shred the beef using forks, then mix back into the sauce. 7. Fry tortillas in oil until crispy, then assemble tacos as desired.
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