Firsthand Understanding, First-class Brandon Memory Care

We've Navigated Memory Loss, Too.

Pegasus Senior Living’s Connections program is a unique, research-based Brandon memory care program designed to help senior residents with Alzheimer’s and/or dementia in the Brandon area lead a stimulating life. The program offers a secure environment, a committed and caring team, and a variety of activities designed to fit the unique needs of those living with cognitive decline.

We understand the time, effort, and emotional toll that caregiving can take on a family. If you’re wondering whether your loved one’s care needs are beyond your abilities, Castlewoods Place may be able to help.

What is Brandon, MS memory care like?

In our memory care community at Castlewoods Place, we believe that taking the time to really get to know your loved one is important to caring for them holistically.

Yes, we have a specially-trained team headed up by a licensed nurse to manage medications and health needs, and we assist with activities of daily living. But we are a memory care community. We carefully curate a schedule of activities to ensure that every resident is comfortable and engaged and Castlewoods Place is a home.

Connections: Supporting Memory Care Family Members

Alzheimer’s and dementia do not only affect memory care residents. Family members’ lives are also impacted, and the Connections program is here to offer support. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities or struggling to cope with changes in your loved one, our program provides a range of resources designed to help you navigate this journey with compassion and understanding.

Monthly support groups: Connect with others impacted by dementia and learn how to cope with the challenges through facilitated support groups in partnership with local senior living professionals and hospice providers.
Educational resources: Access information about dementia, including symptoms, treatment options, and care strategies, through educational resources such as articles, videos, and webinars.
Family involvement: Involve families in resident care and planning through regular care conferences. Family members can share their thoughts and concerns and work collaboratively with care staff.
Family events: Participate in special celebrations that provide opportunities for residents and their loved ones to engage in joyful, meaningful activities that instill purpose.
Caregiver training: Connections team members receive ongoing training from Dr. Petersen and other accredited sources to provide top-rated care, activities, and family communication.
Sensory stimulation: We engage residents in sensory stimulation activities, such as music and art therapy, that can promote well-being and emotional expression. Our partnership with Dementia Live® offers the experience of cognitive impairment to family members.
Pet therapy: Residents participate in pet therapy programs, which have been shown to reduce stress and improve socialization among dementia patients. We welcome family pets in visiting areas with prior approval.

Connect - Move - Learn

The Connect, Move, Learn sequence is how our memory care community promotes neuroplasticity. The brain can continue producing healthy brain cells despite memory loss. Discover how staying engaged socially, physically, and mentally helps residents find their daily purpose.

Programming that
Makes a Difference

The right community and programming can go a long way in improving your loved one’s safety and quality of life.

The Connections program will support your loved one by:

Engaging the Emotions

Activities like music, art, and social interaction are designed to trigger memory and positive emotions in those struggling with cognitive decline.
Connections can help your loved one stay engaged with:

Encouraging Movement

The connection between the mind and body is well-established in scientific research, and the Connections program encourages physical activity to maximize quality of life. Under careful supervision, Brandon memory care residents at Castlewoods Place can participate in boxing, walking clubs, and other fitness programs to help them achieve an active body and mind.

Challenging the Brain

Our team is constantly finding ways for residents to engage with new information.

Activities designed for brain stimulation include:

We also provide a variety of brain-healthy foods for residents.

Supporting Socialization

Research shows that socialization with others is critical to the maintenance of mental health and cognition. The process of regular interaction with others can help seniors achieve a better sense of belonging and provide a sense of structure. We provide a variety of group activities that allow residents to foster relationships and connect to others.

Research-Backed Music Therapy for Dementia

Dr. Petersen is the memory care expert who inspires our program. We also partner with evidence-based programs like SingFit. This activity helps promote brain plasticity. We offer music therapy to ignite memories, encourage movement, and unite residents.

Inspired by Experience

Medical Director Dr. Sandra Petersen’s background in the memory care field goes back over 30 years, but it was her own experience that inspired the novel approach of the Connections program.

Over a decade ago, a stroke left her unable to use the left side of her body and connect with language skills; she even had trouble completing a sentence.

“The whole experience gave me not only sympathy, but empathy for those that struggle with cognitive decline,” says Dr. Petersen.

With the help of a brain health specialist, she worked her way back through a variety of techniques designed to rebuild neural pathways, including learning Spanish and ballroom dancing.

Watch to Learn More about Dr. Petersen's Story

“I wondered whether the same principles that helped me, like connecting through emotion, moving, and learning new information, could work to stimulate the brain of someone with cognitive impairment.”

Dr. Petersen

Connections Explained: A Comforting Home

Moving to assisted living or memory care can be difficult for older adults. Our program is working to remove the fear of the unknown and welcome residents home to independence. Senior care has been a personal and professional mission for Dr. Sandra Petersen for over three decades. Her practice focuses on neuroscience and the transformative power of rewiring the brain despite Alzheimer’s and dementia.

How does memory care pricing work?

Learn about all of the quality features your new lifestyle may include.