CHARLESTON, Mo. — A four-session brain fitness class, which aims to boost memory and health, will be offered next month in Charleston.
University of Missouri Extension will offer a “Boost Your Brain and Memory” brain fitness class at the Mississippi County Library, 105 E. Marshall St., in Charleston beginning Feb. 18.
“Just as you can control and improve your general physical health with good habits, so, too, can you improve the health of your brain — boosting your memory and mental agility, as well as reducing your risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementia,” said Mary Engram, field specialist in human development and family science for the University of Missouri Extension in Charleston.
The four-session workshop, which is open to any and all participants, will be held on Tuesdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 18, 25 and March 3, 10.
“I have offered this in a number of places, but this is the first time in Charleston. It’s really popular and presents new information about brain health — and there has been a lot of new information in the last few years.”
While the class is typically comprised of middle-age to an older audience, it is open to anyone, and all ages would benefit from attending, she said.
“This is about making good health choices, and if we make them at a younger age, it’s even better,” Engram said.
The terms “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s disease” can be confusing, and many people believe they are synonymous, but the two words mean different things, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a specific disease. Dementia is not.
Although research is finding links between genes and one’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the exact cause is more likely a combination of genetics and other factors, Engram said. Practicing good brain health at any age can help stave off the disease, as well as build up your cognitive reserve, she said.
“The class uses a whole-person approach that helps you form new habits to live a healthier lifestyle, remember things better, be more organized, pay closer attention, and regulate your emotions,” Engram said.
Each participant will receive a workbook including memory exercises, tips on nutrition and exercise, and summaries of evidence-based research on brain health. There is a class fee of $40.
“It is a four-session class, and you’ll get the most benefit if you attend all four sessions,” Engram said.
The deadline to register is Feb. 14.
The need to offer a class like this comes from the overall rise in the statistics of Alzheimer’s disease, Engram said.
An estimated 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. This number includes 5.6 million people age 65 and older and approximately 200,000 individuals under age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer’s.
By 2050, the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s is projected to rise to nearly 14 million, the Alzheimer’s Association said.
“Our aim is to help participants implement new habits to maintain cognitive health while also practicing new skills for better memory,” Engram said.
To register, contact the Mississippi County Extension Center, at (573) 683-6129 or online at https://extension2.missouri.edu/events/boost-your-brain-and-memory-charleston.