A Local Gem for Alzheimer's Care
Whether you live in Montgomery or Bucks County, we are very fortunate to have easy access to the Penn Memory Center in Philadelphia. What is the Penn Memory Center? It’s a National Institute on Aging–designated Alzheimer’s Disease Center (ADC). It is one of only several around the country. The National Institute on Aging funds these centers to help improve the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s care patients. And, of course, to find a cure for this disease.
An email from the Penn Memory Center arrived in my inbox this week about a Cognitive Fitness class We all know about keeping physically fit but what about staying mentally or cognitively fit? As we get older, it’s just as important to maintain our brains. The Cognitive Fitness class is for older adults with normal memory and thinking, mild cognitive impairment or very early Alzheimer’s disease.
According to www.pennadc.org, the class “combines facilitator-led computer-based brain stimulation exercises, compensatory strategies, relaxation education, and supportive coaching. While each participant will have his or her own individual goals, common benefits of the program include:
- Sharpened focus and improved memory
- Improved independence and quality of life
- New strategies for coping and self-care
- Better management of depression and anxiety
- Advanced techniques for managing communication in relationships”
Components of the program include:
- Brain Fitness
- Memory Compensation Treatment
- Coping Mechanisms
- Wellness Education
The program is now an eight-week program that meets twice a week for three hours. The summer session runs from June 3rd to July 26th and will take place at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. If you are providing or receiving Alzheimer’s care, this program might be of benefit to you!
To register, or for further information about Cognitive Fitness or tuition, please contact Felicia Greenfield at 215-614-1828 or Felicia_greenfield@uphs.upenn.edu.