April brings more light, more green, and for many of us, a renewed sense of what's worth tending to. That's true in the garden, and as this month's issue explores, it's true for the brain as well.
This month we're leaning into the connection between what we eat, how we care, and how we show up for the people we love. From a research-backed approach to brain-healthy eating to a sensory spring gathering designed for connection and joy, April's Bloom Bulletin is full of things worth sharing.
In this issue, you'll find:
We hope this issue gives you something nourishing to carry into the month ahead.
Jennifer Muskat
Co-Founder & Chief Client Officer, Full Bloom Memory Care
The MIND diet, a brain-focused blend of Mediterranean and DASH eating principles, emphasizes leafy greens, berries, beans, nuts, whole grains, and fish while limiting red meat and sugar.
In a landmark study of 581 older adults, those who followed the MIND diet more closely showed fewer amyloid plaques in their brains, one of the key hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. It's a compelling case for the power of everyday food choices in protecting long-term brain health.
MIND Diet-friendly Recipe of the Month:
A spring-forward one-pot pasta brightened with asparagus and fresh dill, easily swapped for spinach, chard, fennel, bok choy, or broccoli.
From Hetty Lui McKinnon
2024 James Beard Foundation Award Winner
Thursday, April 9th, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
J.McLaughlin, 261 Market Square, Lake Forest, IL 60045
A lovely afternoon for a meaningful cause. Join Full Bloom's Co-Founder and Chief Client Officer, Jennifer Muskat, at J.McLaughlin in Lake Forest for an afternoon of sips, spring shopping, and community. 10% of sales benefit the Alzheimer's Association.
Weekly on Thursdays (4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23 & 4/30), 9:00am - 10:00am
Northbrook Court, 1515 Lake Cook Road, Northbrook, IL 60062
Forward Focus Concierge Medicine continues their weekly Indoor Walking Club every Thursday in March offering older adults a safe, social way to stay active indoors at Northbrook Court, supporting mobility, routine, and connection during the winter months.
Thursday, April 9th, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Cook Park Library, 413 N Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048
This session covers the essentials of person-centered dementia care, from building a strong support team and adapting to relationship changes, to recognizing and managing caregiver stress.
Tuesday, April 21st, 10:00am - 11:30am
Dickinson Hall, 100 E Old Mill Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Join us for the Springtime Sensory Memory Café, hosted by Full Bloom's own Director of Client Care & Training, Colleen Hagan. Participants will create tissue and paper flowers that form a collective "Spring Bloom" archway and photo-op, a beautiful way to mark the season and celebrate each person's presence.
To register, call 847-810-4610 or email reference@lakeforestlibrary.org
by Dr. Jennifer Bute
Dr. Jennifer Bute spent her career treating patients with dementia before being diagnosed herself in 2009. What followed was a determined effort to understand the condition from the inside out, including her insight that the person within remains reachable, even as cognition changes. Her book is both a practical resource and a compassionate companion for families on the dementia journey.
Available at Lake Forest Book Store and other retailers nationwide. Purchase Here
For many families, knowing when and how to address driving safety is one of the hardest parts of the dementia journey. Our latest blog post offers practical guidance on recognizing the signs, finding the right approach to addressing the situation, and making the transition with confidence and care.
Learn more about our unique approach to in-home memory care, or call us at 847-407-1450 to see how we can help.