It starts with thinking ahead
As we grow older, we need to put our brains first. They’re the center of our memories, our hobbies and our personalities. And most importantly they hold the key to our independence as we age. Yet if we’re lucky to live a long life, we will all notice changes to our cognition.
That’s where Mind University™ comes in. This program offers a 4-prong approach to fighting cognitive decline, restacking the odds in favor of healthy aging.
Ready to give your brain a workout?
We’re thinking about you and your needs
EXPLORE MIND U’S OFFERINGS
MIND AEROBICS™ CLASSES
Give your brain a full workout with these awardwinning, proven cognitive training classes. Mind Aerobics classes are fun and interactive. They target and challenge six critical cognitive functions with increasing speed and difficulty as sessions progress. Classes can help slow cognitive decline, as well as maintain and even improve your cognition by providing much more than puzzles and online games, which don’t often translate to real-world results.
The Mind University team looks at where your cognition is now and matches you with the program that’s the best fit. And finally, we finish with an optional consultation to discuss how your brain responded and provide strategies to keep strengthening cognition when class is over.
ENGAGING MINDS
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is an evidence-based group intervention that engages participants with mild to moderate dementia through creative themes, discussions about current affairs, music and more over the course of seven weeks.
GRAY MATTERS MONTHLY WORKSHOPS
This free monthly series features outside speakers who have expertise in brain health. Topics include the heart-brain connection, music, art, yoga, stress management and more.
COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS
Belong to a group that’s eager to learn about brain health?
Our Mind University team can provide informative, engaging presentations to your community group.
We’re thinking about your brain health differently
AND WE HAVE THE SCIENCE TO SUPPORT IT
Mind Aerobics is the only program of its kind in the Metro Detroit area, addressing six key cognitive functions in one sitting for the best results. Created by the New England Cognitive Center (NECC), it has over a decade of research and proven outcomes, as well as varied curriculum facilitated by our NECC-trained staff, so there’s a class for everyone.
KEY AREAS CHALLENGED IN EACH CLASS
REACTION TIME
How quickly your brain responds to unexpected changes, such as the traffic light changing from green to red, is critical to driving as long as possible.
VISUAL SPATIAL SKILLS
Both depth perception and peripheral vision change with age, making it harder to park well and avoid bumps, bruises, trips and falls.
ATTENTION AND CONCENTRATION
The ability to focus and tune out distractions is critical for our memory to work well. Strengthening our focus improves the odds we won’t end up needing to reread a paragraph or page as often.
MEMORY
How well we remember all that we hear, read, see and do impacts everything from remembering to call someone back, to taking medication on time and finding our car in a crowded parking lot.
LANGUAGE
Retaining access to our broad vocabularies helps us use just the right words to convey what we’re feeling, as well as understand all the information we are given, especially during times of stress.
PROBLEM SOLVING
The ability to make decisions and find solutions using strong judgment and reasoning is critical to avoiding online, phone and mail scams.
STEP 1
ASSESSMENT
After an initial assessment, participants are placed into the Mind Aerobics class that provides the right challenge for their cognitive needs and goals.
Our proven three-step process
STEP 2
MIND AEROBICS COURSES
Course sessions gradually increase in difficulty over time. This pace maximizes the brain’s potential for neuroplasticity, our ability to adapt and learn despite our age. Classes are hosted by trained Mind Aerobics instructors and promote socialization.
STEP 3
ANALYSIS
At the end of your 12-week program, you’ll sit down with an instructor and review how your cognition responded. If there are areas that could benefit from a further challenge, we’ll help you determine next steps.
do you think? Are you ready to change your mind? If you’re interested in learning more about Mind University, call 248-788-MIND or email us at MindU@jfsdetroit.org.
What
Your brain’s future depends on its care today.
The Ethel Hyman and Rose Kaplan Foundation