SEATTLE, April 21, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With America's increasing focus on brain health and concern about Alzheimer's disease, the "World's Smartest Recipe Contest" is offering the opportunity to win an individual consultation with a national expert on the subject. The competition, organized by Emeritus Senior Living, comes as evidence increasingly shows that certain foods promote cognitive fitness.

Salmon, sardines, crab, berries, walnuts, broccoli, curry, avocados, spinach, brown rice, chickpeas and buckwheat are examples of edibles that enhance mental fitness. Participants are invited to enter recipes composed of one or more of brain-healthy ingredients. The winner will receive a 30-minute free session by phone with Dr. Paul Nussbaum, national director of brain health for Emeritus and author of Save Your Brain. He is also clinical neuropsychologist and adjunct professor of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Entries will be judged on their brain-healthiness, taste and originality. Recipes should be submitted to www.facebook.com/emeritusSL by May 16.

"With such a wide variety of food proving to be good for the brain, there is a great amount of room for imagination with the recipes," said Steve Sacco, senior divisional director of dining services, Emeritus Senior Living. "We're looking forward to tasting wonderful creations."

The prize of a personal consultation with Dr. Nussbaum is being offered because of the public's concern about preserving mental acuity as cases of Alzheimer's and other dementias soar.

"More and more people are asking us about what they can do to keep their brains healthy into the future," Sacco said. "The winner will be able to talk one-on-one with a top expert to ask questions and receive personalized recommendations."

Dr. Nussbaum said: "Nutritional neurosciences research increasingly supports the value of food in the structure and function of the human brain. This recipe competition illustrates that brain-healthy food can be delicious and that there are steps people can take right now to help their cognitive fitness."

Five finalist recipes will be selected on May 21, and then prepared and featured on social media. The winning recipe will be announced on May 30. In addition to the consultation with Dr. Nussbaum, the winner will receive a $200 culinary store gift card.

About Emeritus Senior Living

 Emeritus Senior Living is the largest assisted living and memory care provider in the United States, with the ability to serve nearly 54,000 residents. More than 31,000 employees support approximately 510 communities throughout 45 states coast to coast. Emeritus offers the spectrum of senior residential choices, care options, and life enrichment programs that fulfill individual needs and promote purposeful living during the aging process. Senior living service offerings include independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, home health care, and rehabilitation services. Emeritus experts provide insights on senior living, care, wellness, brain health, and family topics at www.emeritus.com, which also offers details on the organization's family-focused philosophy and services. Emeritus' common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ESC.

CONTACT: Scott McCaskey / Audrey Knoth, (757) 625-2518