About Us

What Makes Us Different

At Mary & Bright, we believe in creating meaningful, purpose-driven experiences that go far beyond traditional dementia care and activity programming. Our Sensory-Engaged Living and Learning approach is grounded in science, tested through a decade of experience, and designed to enhance cognitive function, foster emotional connections, and improve quality of life for individuals at every stage of brain health.

Purposeful Sensory Engagement

Unlike many other approaches, our programs are intentionally tailored to each individual’s unique history, hobbies, and interests. By focusing on one or two senses at a time, we avoid overwhelming the brain and instead create rich, targeted sensory experiences. This deliberate engagement strengthens neural pathways, unlocks memories, and reconnects individuals with meaningful moments from their lives.

Tailored Staging Tool for Every Individual

Our highly tailored staging tool provides practical guidance for caregivers, engagement professionals, volunteers, and facilitators to effectively engage individuals, no matter their stage of life or cognitive health. This includes:

• Strategies for active 55+ seniors to empower and involve them meaningfully.
• Techniques for independent living and assisted living residents, including those with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia.
• Step-by-step guidance for individuals in early, mid, and late stages of dementia, ensuring accessibility for all.
• Tips for facilitating groups with mixed cognitive abilities, helping everyone participate simultaneously.
• Tools for families to replicate these programs at home, creating engaging, health-promoting activities for their loved ones.

Our methods have been tested over the last decade, consistently delivering remarkable outcomes:

• Increased active participation: Transitioning individuals from passive to active engagement.
• Higher male participation: Breaking barriers to involve a demographic often underrepresented in activities.
• Increased levels of independence: Stretching and empowering individuals in their skills and abilities. 
• Enhanced family satisfaction: Helping families reconnect with their loved ones in truly meaningful ways.

Emotional Memory + Neuroplasticity

Our programs leverage the powerful interplay between sensory recall and emotional memory. By incorporating familiar scents, sounds, textures, and tastes tied to positive experiences, we stimulate emotional responses that enhance memory recall. This approach taps into the brain’s natural neuroplasticity, fostering new connections and improving cognitive resilience.

Universal Benefits Across Cognitive Health

While our methods excel in memory care, they are equally effective for individuals with mild cognitive impairment and even for those with healthy brains. The richness and intensity of the sensory stimulation act as a non-stressful brain workout, strengthening cognitive function and promoting overall brain health.

A Compassionate, Evidence-Based Approach

Our work is rooted in well-supported scientific research, including principles such as:

• Music-evoked autobiographical memories (MEAMs): Enhancing memory recall and emotional well-being through the power of music
• Art-Evoked Autobiographical Memories (AEAMs): Visual stimuli like paintings or photographs that evoke personal experiences and emotions.
• Olfactory-Evoked Autobiographical Memories (OEAMs): Incorporating scents such as freshly baked bread, rain, or a loved one’s perfume to evoke vivid, positive memories.
• The role of the amygdala in emotional memory: Connecting emotions with sensory input for deeper engagement.
• Sensory-based neuroplasticity exercises: Strengthening neural pathways through intentional sensory stimulation. Consistent sensory engagement can improve cognitive resilience by promoting neuroplasticity, even in the aging brain.
• Strategic Layering: Activities are designed to progress from basic to advanced engagement, ensuring everyone can participate, regardless of cognitive ability or emotional state.

Empowering Frontline Professionals

Mary & Bright takes these complex ideas and transforms them into actionable, practical knowledge for caregivers and professionals. By providing easy-to-implement techniques and training, we ensure those who work directly with older adults can create:

• Engaging, sensory-rich programs that deliver measurable results.
• Meaningful connections that honor the individuality of each person.
• Confidence in using evidence-based strategies to support brain health.
• Elevated, safe, sensory engaging living. 

If you would like to learn more about the science and research behind our techniques and programs we invite you to explore our "For The Nerds" page.