June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, and at Sonida Senior Living we mark the season in a special way: our communities rally behind the Alzheimer’s Association’s The Longest Day fundraiser on June 20, 2025. Yet our commitment to those living with dementia is never limited to a single day. Through the Magnolia Trails™ memory-care program, we weave compassion, connection, and evidence-based practices into every moment of every day.
Below, discover how our teams champion Alzheimer’s awareness year-round while giving residents and families the warmth, dignity, and joy they deserve.
Why Awareness Matters Every Month
- More than 7 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in 2025, about one in nine people in that age group. Almost two-thirds are women.
- The economic cost of dementia care is expected to exceed $384 billion this year, not counting the 19.2 billion hours of unpaid caregiving families provide.
Sharing these numbers keeps the public spotlight on the disease, fuels research, and reminds us why purposeful memory-care programming like Magnolia Trails™ is so critical.
Magnolia Trails™: Compassion in Practice
Magnolia Trails™ is our signature approach to dementia support across Sonida Senior Living communities. Every element is designed to honor residents’ life stories, nurture their abilities, and create genuine moments of meaning.
- Personalized Engagement – We learn each resident’s preferences, then tailor music, art, movement, and reminiscence activities that spark joy and recognition.
- Holistic Wellness – Our five pillars focus on mind, body, spirit, nutrition, and social connection, ensuring care is multidimensional rather than task-based.
- Specialized Training – Every Magnolia Trails™ team member completes dementia-specific education and competency testing before they ever step onto the neighborhood floor.
- Family Partnership – Transparent communication, secure photo-sharing, and monthly calendars keep loved ones actively involved.
Everyday Acts of Awareness Inside Magnolia Trails
Awareness is more than a once-a-year campaign. At Magnolia Trails™, it is part of the daily rhythm of care. Our five foundational pillars guide everything we do, ensuring that compassion, dignity, and understanding are present in every interaction with residents and families.
1. Focusing on Care First
Our residents shape every aspect of their experience. From personalized programming to dining options and neighborhood layouts, we center care around what each individual needs in the moment. This approach builds empathy and encourages families to understand that no two journeys with dementia are alike.
2. Creating Environment
We design physical spaces that feel fresh and familiar. By carefully considering the sounds, scents, lighting, textures, and decor, we create surroundings that help residents feel safe, calm, and at home. These thoughtful adjustments often become conversation starters for visitors and family members who witness the impact of sensory-friendly design.
3. Embracing Moments
Every day, our flexible programming supports spontaneous joy and meaningful engagement. Life Stations and Creativity Boxes are always available, empowering residents to explore interests at their own pace. These activities prompt memory recall, self-expression, and shared experiences that gently raise awareness of the capabilities that remain strong even in memory loss.
4. Making Family Connections
We believe families are essential partners in care. That is why we offer toolkits, regular updates, and real-time photo and video sharing through private social platforms. This consistent communication helps loved ones stay informed, involved, and supported—turning awareness into lasting collaboration.
5. Providing Food and Nutrition
Nutritious meals play a vital role in cognitive and emotional well-being. Our dining program prioritizes healthy choices, comfortable seating arrangements, and a welcoming atmosphere that respects individual needs. Each mealtime becomes an opportunity to nourish both body and spirit, while preserving dignity and routine.
These five pillars ensure that awareness and compassion are not reserved for special occasions. They are integrated into every hour, every meal, every moment of care.
Spotlight on June 20: The Longest Day
On the summer solstice, the year’s longest span of daylight, our 96 communities turn passion into purpose:
- Move & Groove Challenges: Morning chair-yoga marathons or afternoon dance-a-thons earn donation pledges.
- Purple Bake Sales: Residents decorate cupcakes in Alzheimer’s colors, then invite neighbors to purchase treats for the cause.
- Sunrise-to-Sunset Craft Fair: Local artisans set up booths in parking lots or courtyards, donating a percentage of sales.
- Virtual Family Walks: Long-distance relatives log miles in the ALZ Fundraising app to unlock extra gifts for the Association.
Last year our teams raised thousands of dollars, and we aim even higher in 2025. Check your community newsletter for times or follow us on social media for live updates on June 20.
Keeping Compassion Alive the Other 364 Days
- Continuous Learning – Our teams review the latest findings from sources like the Alzheimer’s Association Facts & Figures report and incorporate best practices into care plans.
- Environmental Design – Quiet corridors, contrasting color palettes, and way-finding cues reduce anxiety and reinforce orientation.
- Nutrition with Purpose – Magnolia Trails dining programs feature antioxidant-rich menus inspired by the MIND diet, which studies link to slower cognitive decline.
- Family Education – Free guides such as “A Guide to Memory Care” explain disease progression and coping tips.
- Community Outreach – Throughout the year we host open houses, caregiver support circles, and partnership events with organizations like the National Institute on Aging to broaden the conversation.
How You Can Join the Journey
- Participate on June 20: Volunteer, donate, or simply wear purple to honor those facing Alzheimer’s.
- Share Your Story: Submit photos and memories through your community’s secure portal. Your experience might inspire another family.
- Advocate Year-Round: Call your legislators to support dementia research funding.
Discover Compassion in Every Moment
Whether it is sunrise meditation on The Longest Day or a quiet afternoon of sorting recipe cards at a memory station, Magnolia Trails™ creates daily opportunities for dignity, joy, and discovery. If you are seeking a loving environment for a relative, or if you simply want to learn more about modern dementia care, we invite you to:
- Schedule a Visit to experience a Magnolia Trails neighborhood firsthand.
- Browse our latest post on Importance of Proper Nutrition in Dementia Care for practical tips you can use today.
- Follow Sonida Senior Living on Facebook and LinkedIn for real-time updates on our June events.
Compassion is not a campaign. It is a commitment. Thank you for helping us shine light every day, all year, on the path toward a world without Alzheimer’s.
Find a community
If you’re a senior or caregiver looking for independent living, assisted living or memory care services for you or your loved one, contact us to schedule a tour or request information about a community near you.
