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Take a moment to see the good.

This week’s challenge is to utilize this festive word when decorating your Christmas tree: 𝒃𝒂𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒆

bau·​ble

ˈbȯ-bəl

1 (British) : a shiny ball that is hung on a Christmas tree as a decoration

Ornaments? Never heard of them. No, our tree is filled with baubles!

Did you know? Being able to access information quickly (i.e. on the Internet) makes you less likely to remember it!

It’s highly convenient being able to access almost any piece of information in a few seconds with a string of typed words. Resources such as Google, Wikipedia, and YouTube have been major players in a revolution of how we find information.

However, studies suggest there is another aspect to being able to access information so conveniently: if the brain knows it can find an answer again so easily, it’s less likely to remember the information

“According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), at least $212 million was stolen through gift card-related scams in 2024”

In some cases, criminals will actually spend the gift cards before they are purchased. They’ll steal cards sitting in store racks, record the numbers and PINs, then reseal and replace the cards. When someone buys and activates the card, they swiftly drain the value. A survey showed that 25% of consumers have either given or received a $0 gift card.

In addition, many scams prefer gift cards as a payment. “Whether pretending to be a seller online or an official notifying you of a supposed debt, they’ll ask you to buy gift cards and read

Today’s coffee toast holds profound significance for me, a heartfelt tribute to a patient who practices Buddhism. Despite our differing faiths, we share a beautiful bond of mutual respect, understanding and a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of love. Love is the very foundation upon which our respective beliefs are built.

Take a moment to see the good.

This weeks word has a classic regional dialect difference : 𝒕𝒐𝒃𝒐𝒈𝒈𝒂𝒏

to·​bog·​gan

tə-ˈbä-gən

1: a long flat-bottomed light sled made usually of thin boards curved up at one end with usually low handrails at the sides

2: a downward course or a sharp decline

3 (chiefly Southern US and Midland US ): stocking cap

Whether you wear your toboggan, or fly down a hill of snow in one, I think we can all

Did you know? Over the past couple of decades, studies have been done on the importance of forgetting. We are often focusing on remembering, but how does forgetting play a role in our memory?

“In a world buzzing with information, it is essential to be able to turn down the noise and discard useless details, so they don’t interfere with access to new learning or ideas. Without our awareness, and particularly during sleep, the brain is constantly sorting out which memories to keep and which can be purged and forgotten. The ability to forget helps us prioritize, think better, make decisions, and be more creative. Normal forgetting, in balance with memory, gives us the

It’s that time of year! One filled with joy, laughter, family, and scams. Wait— scams?! Yes, unfortunately, the holiday season is when scammers ramp up their tactics and frequency.

Be careful when shopping online or buying from places that are not official businesses. Remember that you should choose what type of card you pay with online carefully. Always double check that the adorable gift you are so excited to purchase for a loved one is actually what it’s

THIS IS A BIG ONE! Today’s coffee toast Friday goes out to Hal! When I met Hal, he arrived in a wheelchair. He was very weak and barely said a word. He had a suction machine to manage his secretions and had a feeding tube to sustain nutrition. Hal was diagnosed with a very rare disorder and had some additional setbacks in the hospital/rehab that took a significant toll.

Take a moment to see the good.

‘Tis the season for this week’s fun word: 𝒔𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒚𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆

sku-ree-fun-j

1. to rush around cleaning when company is on their way over. (Old English)

Example sentence: “Whenever my mother-in-law was due for a visit, I’d have to have a scurryfunge no matter how tidy my house was.”

You might just find yourself having to scurryfunge as more visitors than normal stop by to celebrate the holidays with you!

This week’s fun fact is all about our furry friends! According to recent studies, pet ownership can help slow cognitive decline and prevent dementia in older adults. One study suggests that owning a dog may lower dementia risk by up to 40%! These studies state that pet ownership helps reduce isolation, increases exercise by promoting dog-walking, and improves overall daily function/routine.

 Read more here:

It’s unfortunate that scammers will utilize good things, like charities, to target their victims. This week’s alert has to do with charity scams. Here is how they work:

Someone contacts you asking for a donation to their charity. It sounds like a group you’ve heard of, it seems real, and you want to help.

But how can you tell what’s a scam?

-Charity scammers, as per usual, want to get your money quickly. They will urge you to donate right away.

-They ask for cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.

-Scammers often refuse to send you information about the charity.

-They won’t answer questions or explain how the

Today, Ann savors a truly exceptional cup of coffee, having rediscovered her sense of taste after a four-year journey. Despite multiple bouts of Covid-19, which robbed her of her sense of smell and taste, Ann’s resilience has prevailed. She’s now regaining her sense of smell and can once again relish the simple joys of sharing meals with loved ones and experimenting with flavors in the kitchen. We’re humbled by Ann’s courage in sharing her inspiring story, including the first scent she’s detected in four years. Here’s to Ann, may this moment be a

Take a moment to see the good.

This week’s word is highly relevant to one of the main therapies we provide at DSSS: 𝒅𝒆𝒈𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

de·​glu·​ti·​tion

ˌdē-glü-ˈti-shən

1. the act or process of swallowing

Example sentence: “After the patient’s surgery, we will work on strengthening the muscles responsible for deglutition,” said the doctor.

Try implementing this new word into your vocabulary!

Did you know? Vocabulary is one of the only brain skills that gets better with age. Go ahead, be sesquipedalian. (throwback to a previous Wordy Wednesday!)

One of the best ways to increase your vocabulary is through reading! Try to set aside some time each day to read. It is a great way to mentally stimulate and exercise your mind while also learning vocabulary. Having trouble reading the font? Go to your local library or bookstore and inquire about large font books.

Coffee toast graduation!

Celebrating Ira’s remarkable journey to triumph! Ira had a swallow study done back in January that revealed a profoundly impaired swallow. During the test when he swallowed the food/liquid went straight into his lungs instead of down his esophagus. The study was immediately halted and a feeding tube was recommended. He was desperate for another option. He went to Orlando to try to find a specialist but he

Take a moment to see the good.

This week’s uplifting story takes place in Charlotte, North Carolina where a baker makes birthday cakes for people experiencing homelessness. Owner of the oldest immigrant Latino bakery in the Carolinas, Manolo Betancur believes everyone deserves a birthday cake.

Hopefully you enjoy saying this week’s fun word: 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒙𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄

quix·​ot·​ic

kwik-ˈsä-tik

1: foolishly impractical especially in the pursuit of ideals: marked by rash lofty romantic ideas or extravagantly chivalrous action doomed to fail

2: capricious, unpredictable

Example sentence: Although Jack’s plan for killing the giant was quixotic, it was the village’s only hope.

Fun fact: “Quixotic” was coined from the name of the titular character in Miguel de Cervantes’s novel Don Quixote.

Did you know? Utilizing storytelling can be a big help for memory recall. Instead of just trying to remember a few facts, get creative and make a story out of them.

‘Our brains are better able to recall narratives because we have a sequence of events to follow. For example, you might need to recall Newton’s Three Laws of Motion for your physics class. You might create a story about a futuristic hero, Captain Velocity, who explores three planets in the Galaxy of Motion. The different planets could represent the laws of inertia, force, and action and reaction.’

Read more about how to use storytelling for memory recall:

This morning’s coffee toast brings me an extra sense of warmth, and I would like to take a moment to welcome our daughter, Haley Mckenzie, who has recently joined our team to work with our pediatric clients.

Our inspiring story this week details two farmworkers’ bravery and quick-thinking when they saw smoke pouring out of the back of a school bus.