Hopeful Aging

01/16/2026

Storytelling is a powerful tool in dementia care.

Through thoughtfully designed, research-informed reading experiences, VIVA Stories and Insight Articles by CONNECT support connection, engagement, and emotional well-being across all stages of memory loss.

As we move through 2026, we invite care partners and professionals to see storytelling not simply as an activity but as a meaningful, relationship-building practice rooted in presence, dignity, and shared moments.

Because connection doesn’t fade it evolves.

01/09/2026

The holidays may be over, but connection doesn’t have to fade. The quiet post-holiday weeks in January present a wonderful opportunity to start a new weekly story sharing routine that can provide meaningful shared moments for people living with dementia.

📖 VIVA Stories by CONNECT offer:
More than 100 downloadable story booklets
Adult-focused topics and rich visuals
Conversation prompts that spark connection
Large, easy-to-read text
Memory-friendly design where each page stands alone

Just one story a week can open the door to conversation and togetherness.
Available as part of the CONNECT dementia engagement platform or as a separate subscription.

Read More: https://www.vivastories.com/
Try a free VIVA Story: https://linktr.ee/hopefulaging

01/06/2026

Happy New Year from Hopeful Aging!

As we step into 2026, we’re reminded that what matters most isn’t resolutions or perfection—it’s connection.

Connection with loved ones.
Connection through shared stories.
Connection that helps us feel seen, supported, and hopeful at every stage of aging.

Our word for 2026 is Connection—because meaningful moments don’t require more effort, just more presence.

As you begin the year, we’d love to know:
💬 What’s your word for 2026?

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from Hopeful Aging

As we welcome 2026, we’re reminded that what matters most isn’t perfection or resolutions, it's connection.

Connection with loved ones.
Connection through shared stories, laughter, and moments that bring meaning to everyday life.

This year, our word is Connection.
Because staying connected helps us feel seen, supported, and hopeful at every stage of aging.

As you step into the new year, we’d love to know: What’s your word for 2026?
Here’s to a year filled with warmth, belonging, and meaningful moments together. 💙

12/31/2025

Words That Matter in 2026

The start of a new year often begins with a single word that reflects what we hope for, what we need, and what matters most. For many families, especially those navigating memory loss, that word can become a simple way to connect, reflect, and be together.

To support those moments, Hopeful Aging is sharing FREE New Year stories from our CONNECT platform created for families and loved ones at every stage of memory loss.

💛 VIVA Story (Later-Stage Dementia):
Photo-rich, easy-to-follow stories that explores meaningful topics and familiar themes. Designed for shared reading and conversation, they offer an easy way to connect—no pressure, just presence.

🧠 Insight Article (Early-Stage Dementia):
Thoughtful, engaging reading materials. Our NewYear’s story provides an opportunity to reflect on the year ahead and the words that inspire our lives—perfect for individuals in the early stages of cognitive change.

Whether your word is connection, hope, calm, or joy, these stories create space for families to slow down, listen, and begin the year together.

Click the Link In our Bio to Download your Free New Year Story

12/25/2025

12/23/2025

The season of gathering is here and we’re excited to highlight another festive reading activity available in the CONNECT platform to spark conversation, curiosity, and connection.

Our Christmas Insight Article explores Christmas foods around the world, inviting participants to travel across cultures through familiar flavors, holiday traditions, and shared memories.

Insight Articles are engaging reading activities designed for individuals in the early stages of memory loss who enjoy learning, reflection, and meaningful conversation. This holiday-themed activity offers rich cultural content, and natural discussion prompts perfect for sharing one-on-one or in small groups.

It’s another joyful way to create moments of connection during the holiday season around stories, traditions, and the foods we love.

✨ Available now inside the CONNECT platform : https://www.theconnectapp.com/
✨ Available now for a free download: https://linktr.ee/hopefulaging

12/21/2025

The Viva Books are well worth perusing and reading together with a loved one. Most important is the shared conversation between the two of you--the connection and the contact discussing what you both think and feel. The only way to truly overcome loneliness and a feeling of isolation is to discuss perceptions, responses to topics raised, photographs, stories.

To celebrate the season—and to support more moments of joy and connection—we’re offering a FREE Viva Christmas Story from our Viva Stories by CONNECT library.

These stories are created to bring people living with dementia a sense of warmth, familiarity, and delight through:

Beautiful, age-appropriate holiday images
Simple prompts for conversation and reminiscing
Large, easy-to-read text
A memory-friendly design where each page stands on its own
A focus on dignity, engagement, and togetherness

Whether you’re a family member, care partner, or activity leader, this holiday story is a wonderful way to spark meaningful moments this season.

🎁 Download your FREE Christmas Viva Story: https://linktr.ee/hopefulaging

If you enjoy this resource, you can explore 90+ more stories by subscribing to Viva Stories on CONNECT—designed to bring more hope-filled moments to daily care.
Wishing you a warm, joyful, and connected holiday season. ✨

12/18/2025

To celebrate the Festival of Lights and to support more moments of joy and connection we’re sharing two FREE Hanukkah resources from our CONNECT library: a Hanukkah VIVA Story and a Hanukkah Insight Article.

These two research-backed reading resources offer meaningful engagement tailored to different stages of memory loss:

🕯 VIVA Stories
Inviting reading and discussion experiences featuring photos and engaging stories, thoughtfully designed for people living with moderate memory challenges. Our Hanukkah VIVA Story includes warm holiday imagery, simple conversation prompts, large, easy-to-read text, and a format that helps spark connection and shared moments.

📘 Insight Articles
In-depth reading materials that explore topics such as history and culture, created for individuals in the early stages of memory loss who continue to enjoy learning, reflection, and rich conversation.
Together, these resources provide supportive and engaging ways to create moments of connection and meaning during this season of light.

🕎 Download your FREE Hanukkah VIVA Story & Insight Article:
https://linktr.ee/hopefulaging

Wishing you light, warmth, and meaningful moments this Hanukkah. ✨

12/16/2025

12/11/2025

To celebrate the season—and to support more moments of joy and connection—we’re offering a FREE Viva Christmas Story from our Viva Stories by CONNECT library.

These stories are created to bring people living with dementia a sense of warmth, familiarity, and delight through:

Beautiful, age-appropriate holiday images
Simple prompts for conversation and reminiscing
Large, easy-to-read text
A memory-friendly design where each page stands on its own
A focus on dignity, engagement, and togetherness

Whether you’re a family member, care partner, or activity leader, this holiday story is a wonderful way to spark meaningful moments this season.

🎁 Download your FREE Christmas Viva Story: https://linktr.ee/hopefulaging

If you enjoy this resource, you can explore 90+ more stories by subscribing to Viva Stories on CONNECT—designed to bring more hope-filled moments to daily care.
Wishing you a warm, joyful, and connected holiday season. ✨

12/09/2025

If you’re new to Hopeful Aging, you may have seen us share a few Viva Stories last month. Today, we’re highlighting this uplifting section of the CONNECT platform—one designed to bring more moments of joy, curiosity, and meaningful engagement to people living with dementia.

Viva Stories by CONNECT
A research-informed, hope-centered reading program that celebrates abilities and sparks real connection.

With a subscription, you gain access to:

💚90+ downloadable story booklets new content every month
💚70+ adult-focused topics tailored to different interests
💚Rich visuals that invite engagement
Conversation prompts that deepen interaction
💚Large, easy-to-read text
💚A memory-friendly design where each page stands alone
💚Development grounded in NIH-funded research

Why We Believe in Viva Stories

Viva Stories were created with one goal in mind:
to provide reading experiences that honor dignity, support engagement, and open the door to meaningful moments—every single day.

These booklets aren’t about limitation; they’re about possibility.They invite connection, encourage conversation, and celebrate the strengths that remain.

Whether you’re a care partner, activity professional, or family member, Viva Stories offers a hopeful pathway to engagement that truly makes a difference.

👉 Download a FREE sample Viva Story: www.vivastories.com
👉 Subscribe here: www.vivastories.com/buy-now

Let’s continue building environments where older adults can thrive through curiosity, connection, and joy.