Richmond, BC, – [January 5, 2026] – Optima Living is proud to introduce Spark Wellness, our signature program designed to support and strengthen brain health and cognitive well-being. Created with residents in mind, Spark Wellness draws on leading research to bring brain-healthy food, purposeful movement, and meaningful daily activities into everyday living.
As we age, small changes in how we think, learn, or remember are common. Yet research shows that our brains remain remarkably adaptable. The choices we make every day—from what we eat to how we move and connect with others—play an important role in keeping our brains strong. Spark Wellness brings these research-informed practices to life in Optima Living communities, empowering residents with normal cognition or mild cognitive changes to take charge of their brain health.
The program is now in its pilot stage at six Optima Living communities: Wisteria Place in Richmond, BC; Royal Crescent Gardens in Maple Ridge, BC; our community in Vernon, BC; Aspen Ridge in Red Deer, AB; Cedarwood Station in Airdrie, AB; and Aster Gardens in Sherwood Park, AB, where residents have enjoyed lively launch events.
Activities have included gentle movement sessions designed to engage both body and mind, brain-healthy appetizers, and cognition-building games designed to strengthen neural pathways and enhance cognitive reserve.
“What sets Spark Wellness apart is how strongly it’s grounded in science,” explains Farid Damji, Co-Founder and Principal at Optima Living. “We know that targeted nutrition, movement, and cognitive stimulation strengthen neural pathways and build cognitive reserve. When we bring those evidence-based practices into daily life, we see residents becoming more engaged, more joyful, and more connected across our communities.”
Throughout 2026, Spark Wellness, which includes movement, activity, nutritional, and social elements, will expand across all 39 Optima Living communities, marking a significant milestone towards becoming a Canadian leader in brain health.
Spark Wellness works in tandem with Optima Living’s already established Spark Memory Living program, which provides specialized support for residents experiencing dementia. Together, these programs create a comprehensive brain-health model, ensuring residents receive proactive, person-centred support at every stage of brain health.
To learn more about Spark Memory Living, visit our website.
About Optima Living
Founded in 2007 by two friends inspired by a love for seniors and their families’ dementia journeys, Optima Living was created to offer a more home-like experience in seniors housing and care.
What began as a personal mission has grown into one of Western Canada’s leading senior living and continuing care providers, offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, Supportive Living, Long-Term Care, Brain Health and Memory Care, including Optima’s own proprietary brain health and care model: Spark, Your Wellness, Your Way.
Today, we are the only Top 10 Canadian senior living and care provider focused exclusively on Western Canada, serving 4,300+ residents in Alberta and British Columbia.
Guided by our North Star, Let us welcome you home™, we are committed to People, Place, and Community. With a resident-first philosophy, deep community ties, and a focus on innovation, we are shaping a future defined by integrity, dignity, and empathy.
At Optima Living, senior living is about thriving, not just residing. We’re redefining aging with purpose by creating communities where residents live well with dignity, connection, and joy.
Discover how we are changing the landscape of senior living at https://optimaliving.ca/.
Optima Living: Let us welcome you home™.
Contact:
Katie Matthews
Senior Manager, Communications
Optima Living
T: (236) 988-5883 | E: [email protected]
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