Pacifica Senior Living Blog

Memory and our Senses

Memory is one of the most fascinating and complicated processes that occurs within the human brain. As the world population continues to age, more and more research has been done surrounding our memory, and the ways in which we can boost memories, recall them, or delay memory loss.

Our senses are intricately linked to our sense of memory. Most of us have experienced the sensation of having a smell instantly conjure up a memory, or trigger a recollection from our past. Similarly, music and sound has been found to run deep within our psyche, and can be used to trigger memories - even in those suffering from severe memory loss or types of dementia.

January 27th is Holocaust Remembrance Day. As we reflect on this tragic event, we honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, and the millions of others affected by the Nazi regime. We also want to take the time to celebrate the amazing lives of survivors, heroes and descendants of those who lived through these trying times. This date was chosen by the United Nations as it commemorates the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Unwind and enjoy with this light and delicious Lemon Flan recipe from Pacifica Senior Living Forest Trace. Sweet and zesty, it is a great addition to any meal. Make for friends, family, or guests and serve up something special. With a caramel coating and a creamy decadent texture, this simple dessert is sure to impress. 

A decadent dessert is a great way to add something special to any meal. This Lemon flan recipe is simple but delicious, and will amen a big impact without a lot of effort. Read more for the full recipe.

As we kick off the new year, we are excited by the growth and changes happening at Pacifica Senior Living. As a company we are continuing to take on new properties and expand our reach, offering compassionate care and inviting homes to more and more senior residents.

Pacifica Senior Living acquired four new properties at the beginning of 2023. We are excited to be welcoming new communities across California in the neighborhoods of Pacific Grove, Sun City, Poway and Oakland. Our teams are working to create the highest standard of care within these new spaces as well as ensure that each reflects and lives up to the Pacifica values. 

Searching for a senior living community can be an overwhelming process. We understand it is a big decision, and not only that, there are so many options to choose from. How do you know where to start? How can you tell if you are asking the right questions? There is a lot of information out there, but it can be tricky to know where to begin.

Enjoy this winning dish from the Meridian at Stone Creek. Recently we launched our First Annual company-wide Culinary Competition where we searched for the very best meals from our talented chefs, food service directors and culinary team members. Out of all our entries, and nearly 100 different properties, the resounding winner was Chef Ryan McPherson from the Meridian at Stone Creek with his entree of Maple Glazed Chicken.

Assisted Living is a Senior Living Care Level that offers aid to older adults who may need assistance with activities of daily living. Assisted Living is an in-between of sorts between Independent Living and a skilled nursing facility, nursing home or alternate health care facility. Assisted Living communities offer personal care services such as basic nursing care and assistance, housekeeping and home maintenance services, and prepared meals.

At Pacifica Senior Living, we strive to offer a vibrant and engaging lifestyle. Throughout each of our communities, we have built an active and welcoming community full of events, activities, enriching programs, and social gatherings.

Activities and events are a great way for our residents to connect with one another, form bonds within the community, and even try something new! There is always something to do at Pacifica, and we make a point to offer a wide range of activities to suit everyone's preferences. From concerts to crafts, happy hour events, fundraisers, educational seminars, movie nights, and food fairs, we’re constantly gathering with one another and those in our community to spend quality time together.

As we come to the closing of another year, we want to take the time to reflect on everything that has happened in 2022. It has been another wonderful year for Pacifica Senior Living, and so many of our residents, family members, staff and team members have made it special.

From countless activities, community events, and holiday parties, to fundraising efforts, volunteer programs, educational seminars and awards, our communities have been going above and beyond this year.

This year, our Food Services and Culinary Operations team ran our First Annual Culinary Competition! The competition required chefs, dining service directors, or food service directors from across our communities to create a unique dish - either entree or dessert - that would be submitted for judging. These delicious and inspiring dishes showcased the incredible creativity, talent, and presentation skills of our culinary teams. From juicy steaks to colorful roulades, decadent desserts and dishes packed full of flavor, our chefs blew us away with their amazing plates.