This winter, Wisteria Place in Richmond, BC became the first pilot site for Spark Wellness, Optima Living’s new brain-health initiative designed to help residents stay active, engaged, and independent in ways that feel right for them.
The enthusiasm was immediate.
“We had so many people, and they were all super excited,” says Elena Grishina, General Manager at Wisteria Place. “I got a lot of emails from residents saying thank you. They’re very excited about the change.”
Grounded in brain-health research, Spark Wellness combines nutrition, gentle movement, and brain-boosting activities that residents can enjoy as part of their daily meals and weekly recreation calendar. Grounded in the best available research, Spark Wellness is focused on making it easy and natural for residents to feel their best.
For Allison Schindler, Regional Director, Memory Care, Lifestyles and Programming, Spark Wellness is about more than activities; it’s about empowering residents to protect and strengthen their cognitive reserve.
“Our brains change as we age, but they also respond to what we do every day,” she explains. “That’s what Spark Wellness is all about—strengthening the neural networks, pathways, and cognitive reserve that allows us to maintain our independence.”
Spark Wellness complements Optima Living’s established Spark Memory Living program, which provides specialized support for residents experiencing dementia. Together, these initiatives offer a proactive, person-centred approach to brain health across all stages of brain health.
The early response at Wisteria Place shows how much a program like Spark Wellness can enrich daily life. As it grows to Optima Living communities in 2026—including 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—we’re excited to see even more residents discover new routines, new confidence, and new moments of joy.