I CARE FOR YOUR BRAIN with Dr. Sullivan

12/29/2025

Identify subtle changes in memory, balance, or behavior that could be early symptoms of conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and get tips on how to address your concerns.

12/28/2025

For our loved ones, friends and neighbors with brain change (i.e., dementia) the holiday season can bring added challenges that we want to be mindful of and accommodate.

SPEND TIME OUTDOORS
Bundle everybody up and get some fresh air. Take a short car visit to see some local Christmas lights or a local church/synagogue event. Being outside in the fresh air has a refreshing effect on all of us.

12/27/2025

PRACTICE GRATITUDE
Even though your holiday celebrations may look different this year, if you focus on all the things your loved one, friend or neighbor can still do and the special moments of connection you’ve create, you’ll see there is still much to be grateful for in this season. While it’s important to take some time to name and validate any feelings of loss you may have about how life has changed, please also train your mind to return to gratitude for what you do have right in front of you. Spend extra time reviewing your blessings and delight in the moments you expertly created with your new positive, person-centered skills.

12/26/2025

For our loved ones, friends and neighbors with brain change (i.e., dementia) the holiday season can bring added challenges that we want to be mindful of and accommodate.

MAKE THE PLACE SMELL AMAZING
Offer emotional sensory experiences that are holiday themed like the smell of mulled wine or Christmas tree scent spray on a scarf. Most traditions include the scents of wood, flowers/herbs and spices in their celebrations. Pleasant smells can trigger a positive mood and make it easier to get someone with brain change to say yes to the next activity.

12/25/2025

MUSIC AND THE HOLIDAYS
Music is one of our most potent medicines when supporting someone with brain change. Despite changes in conversational word-finding, almost all individuals with brain change remember song lyrics, melodies and musical arrangements very far into the journey. Music should match the person’s mood, and we can check in often with one’s non-verbal behaviors to see if he/she is enjoying it. Look for tapping feet, smiles, and looking to others for connection. Playing holiday songs well known to the person will surely create joy and spark long-term memories.

12/25/2025

12/24/2025

For our loved ones, friends and neighbors with brain change (i.e., dementia) the holiday season can bring added challenges that we want to be mindful of and accommodate.

REMEMBER YOUR PRESENCE IS YOUR PRESENT
What people of all ability levels want is to be included during the holidays by the people they love. Quality one-on-one time or a small family gathering with some simple holiday items in the late morning or early afternoon is ideal. If a larger family/friend gathering is in the cards, just make sure there is a least one space available to the person with brain change that is peaceful and calm, and bring the person there for a sensory reset from time to time. The most valuable thing you can offer to your person with brain change is the gift of embracing and including him/her.

12/24/2025

A positive Alzheimer’s test can be frightening. In this video, board-certified neuropsychologist Dr. Karen Sullivan explains what Alzheimer’s biomarker tests really mean, why positive does not mean you have dementia, and the risks of panicking or being labeled too early.

You’ll learn:
•What Alzheimer’s blood tests and PET scans actually measure
•Why a positive result is not a diagnosis
•The emotional, medical, and insurance risks of early labeling
•What responsible next steps look like
•This video is about clarity, not fear and using medical information wisely.
•If you’re worried about your memory or considering Alzheimer’s testing, watch this first.
•A result is not a verdict.

A positive Alzheimer’s test can be frightening. In this video, board-certified neuropsychologist Dr. Karen Sullivan explains what Alzheimer’s biomarker tests...

12/23/2025

The holiday season is a time of increased activity, celebrations and togetherness. For our loved ones, friends and neighbors with brain change (i.e., dementia) the holiday season can bring added challenges that we want to be mindful of and accommodate.

MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT OVERSTIMULATED
This is an important part of setting the stage for a joyous holiday gathering. Every person with brain change will struggle with being prone to overstimulation, especially by the multitude of holiday sights and sounds. Festive decorations are great, but keep it simple and skip the flickering lights and loud toys. Take time to transition from one activity to the next, and avoid overwhelming the person with too many things at once.

12/22/2025

For our loved ones, friends and neighbors with brain change (i.e., dementia) the holiday season can bring added challenges that we want to be mindful of and accommodate.

ADJUST YOUR EXPECTATIONS
When we look closely at our friends and loved ones with brain change with a positive, person-centered lens, we find many retained skills, even if it is simply the ability to appreciate and enjoy what’s happening around them. Your wife may not be able to bake her sugar cookies this year, but can she help to stir the batter and tell you when they’ve reached the perfect golden color. Find ways to include your person with brain change in ways that are dignified and have always been important to them or your relationship. The most important thing is to ENGAGE with them.

12/21/2025

Emerging research shows that taking care of your gut microbiome through diet, supplements, and lifestyle may help prevent chronic diseases and support cognitive well-being.