Falling into Place
How do the leaves look around your home? Are they starting to change color? Here in southern Arizona, we do not see many leaves that change color but there are a few. Let's decrease our risk for dementia by stimulating our brain a little and find out why this occurs.
The fall foliage color change isn’t due to current weather conditions, which is a common misconception. Leaves change color because of the amount of daylight and photosynthesis.
Remember last week's post on the Autumnal Equinox? As the days get shorter the plants sense this decrease in sunlight and start a chemical process that blocks chlorophyll production to prepare for their dormant season. As the chlorophyll amount decreases, the other pigments become visible.
We know which pigment is present by their coloring:
Carotenoids give leaves their brilliant yellow and orange colors.
Anthocyanins are found in deep red and purplish leaves
The presence of tannins means leaves will turn brownish or tan.
"Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant." ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
Moving forward with Prosper in Peace is similar in that we go through seasons also and I have to alter the focus of color, or effort, I give to each season. Currently, we are coming to the close of the initial planning season and moving into the funding and building seasons.
With the business plan mostly complete, it is time to pursue relationships that will foster our success on day one of opening. I am getting more ingrained in the local dementia and Alzheimer's community which offers me insight into the needs of those who live with dementia. This also grows my reputation as an expert in dementia and Alzheimer's care and demonstrates that I will be a friendly competitor with integrity.
"We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles." ~ Jimmy Carter
In addition to my work with the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's, I am now trained by the Pima Council on Aging as a Memory Cafe Volunteer. Once a month I get the pleasure of volunteering my time serving at the cafe.
Memory Cafes offer a welcoming environment for people with dementia and their caregivers. Activities can include crafts, music, or other options that provide meaningful and pleasant interaction. They are held in various locations around the country and can be found easily with a Google search. You can find out more about the Pima County programs here: Memory Cafés – Pima Council on Aging (pcoa.org)
All of these efforts help me understand the components that I need to incorporate at Prosper in Peace to ensure we provide an engaging, active and safe environment for those with dementia. It is exciting for me to learn what is best to ensure I get it right ~ the residents will prosper here!
I hope you get a chance to enjoy the beautiful fall color change somewhere this year. Taking a nice long walk to enjoy the wonder of nature around you also helps your brain Stay Sharp ~ try it out this week and see how good you feel!
