Stop Calling It Soft

Pages Built for Brain Change | Ep. 520

Are the books and magazines in your lobby designed for the brains you actually serve—or for the people who picked them out years ago? In this episode of Tips from Trestle, Aaron talks with Mindful Libraries co-creators Nikki Jardin and Laurette Klier to explore how dementia-friendly reading can transform resident engagement in senior living communities. They share the deeply personal stories behind Mirador Magazine and Nana’s Books, born from caring for loved ones with young onset Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia who suddenly lost access to the magazines, newspapers, and novels they once loved. You’ll hear how accessible design, Atkinson Hyperlegible fonts, thick paper, and thoughtfully curated images make it possible for people living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment to enjoy reading again. Nikki and Laurette describe the Mindful Library concept: a beautiful, always-available reading nook that shifts activity programming from “doing” to “being,” creating organic, heart-centered connections over coffee, charcuterie, and conversation. They also share what it meant to see their publications used as teaching tools at Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care training, validating the impact Mindful Libraries can have for operators, caregivers, and families. If you’re a senior living operator, activity professional, dementia caregiver, or public librarian looking to enhance engagement, this episode offers practical ideas for building inclusive, resident-centered reading experiences that feel like home Tips from Trestle is sponsored by: * WiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOx [https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOx] * Dining With Dementia: https://bit.ly/TFT_DwD [https://bit.ly/TFT_DwD] * 100% Leader: https://bit.ly/TFT_100 [https://bit.ly/TFT_100] #TFT520 #SeniorLiving #DementiaCare #AlzheimersAwareness #CognitiveWellbeing #ResidentExperience #MemoryCare #PositiveApproachToCare #EdenAlternative #AgingWithDignity #CaregiverSupport #InclusiveDesign #ReminiscenceTherapy #EngagedAging #DementiaFriendly #SeniorLivingFoodAndHospitality #TipsFromTrestle #ElevateTheExperience

The Middleman Myth: What GPOs Really Do | Ep. 519

Host Aaron Fish welcomes Jeff Webb, Senior Manager of Business Development at HealthTrust Performance Group, to explore how senior living operators can maximize GPO (Group Purchasing Organization) and food distributor partnerships to lower food costs and elevate dining programs. Jeff shares a real-world case where a multi-property operator cut food spend by nearly 6% through smarter, quality-first purchasing decisions, while transforming their menu into a restaurant-style experience. The two dispel the "middleman" myth, explain why salary-based GPO reps are incentivized purely to find savings, and dive into how tiered rebate structures work in practice. Listeners also get insight into texture-modified diets, Mediterranean diet menu trends, and dining-with-dementia strategies drawn from Jeff's personal caregiving experience. Perfect for dining directors, executive directors, and administrators evaluating whether a GPO partnership is right for their community — with no long-term contract required.

RE-RELEASE: From Table to Tour | Tips from Trestle, Ep. 518

In this throwback episode, host Aaron Fish reunites with Shawn McGregor — Senior Executive Chef at Healthcare Services Group — to continue the conversation from their standout panel at the Florida Senior Living Association conference. Sean oversees culinary and systems training across more than 2,000 kitchens in 48 states, making him one of the most experienced culinary voices in senior care. In this conversation, Aaron and Shawn cover: training dining staff with storytelling rather than just technique, the engagement power of showtime/live cooking demonstrations, how to navigate dietary restrictions using clinically-driven menus, why getting your chef out of the kitchen is a tour strategy, and the golden rule of underpromising and overdelivering on prospects. Whether you're an operator, a chef, a marketer, or a sales director — this episode is your dining room roadmap. 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify | Follow @tipsfromtrestle

Ep 517 - Unimaginable Experiences: Dreaming Big in Recreation

What does a "yes until it's no" culture actually look like in long-term care? Aaron Fish sits down with Christy Norrish and Eric Anderson from Sherbrooke Community Centre (Saskatoon, SK) — recorded live at the Eden Alternative International Conference — to explore how their team creates unimaginable resident experiences: from water-skiing in a wheelchair to attending a Backstreet Boys concert. They cover the Eden Alternative philosophy, how to fight loneliness, helplessness, and boredom, community partnership strategies for zero-budget programming, resident-led recreation forums, and how to recharge as an activity professional. Perfect for activity directors, recreation therapists, executive directors, and anyone who believes life doesn't end when you move into long-term care. Sponsors: Wisox AI | LINK Consulting | Dining with Dementia Workshop | The 100% Leader

The Power of “You’re Right”: Language That Changes Outcomes

In this episode of Tips From Trestle, host Aaron Fish welcomes author, educator, and dementia-care advocate Angela Brigance for a deep dive into the language of leadership in senior living. With more than 30 years of experience across home care, skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care, Angela brings a unique blend of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) expertise and real-world operations know-how. Angela explains why “don’t” statements fail our teams, how reframing “short-staffed” as “challenged” unlocks problem-solving, and what happens in the brain when we give clear, positive directions instead of vague corrections. She also shares a simple four-step phrase pattern—starting with “you’re right”—that can defuse upset residents and families while preserving trust in your caregivers. Whether you lead a single community or an entire portfolio, this conversation will help you use intentional language to strengthen culture, improve the resident and family experience, and create more confident frontline leaders. Tune in to learn how changing a few words can completely change your outcomes in senior living food, hospitality, and care. Tips from Trestle is sponsored by: * WiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOx * AdvantageTrust GPO: https://bit.ly/TFTAdvTrust * Dining With Dementia: https://bit.ly/TFT_DwD * 100% Leader: https://bit.ly/TFT_100 #TFT515 #SeniorLiving #SeniorLivingLeadership #ElevateTheExperience #SeniorLivingLeadership #DementiaCare #NeuroLinguisticProgramming #LeadershipCommunication #IntentionalLanguage #SeniorLivingPros #MemoryCareMatters #HospitalityLeadership #CaregiverSupport #CultureOfCare #TeamEngagement #ResidentExperience #SeniorCareInnovation #LanguageOfLeadership #TipsFromTrestle #LongTermCare