Q: Can you shed any light on brain fitness exercises?
A: I can provide you with information about a brain fitness program offered by Senior Concerns.
The Senior Concerns Group Brain Fitness Program is designed to offer a fun way to exercise cognitive functions. Brain fitness exercise will wake up your brain like body fitness exercises wake up your body.
The program is grounded in science and uses Dakim, a clinically tested software program designed for those older than 60. Studies have found cognitive stimulation helps slow the development of dementia.
The four-week program has weekly 90-minute sessions. Each will stimulate all six cognitive areas of the brain — short-term memory, long-term memory, language, calculation, visual-spatial and critical thinking. Each session will include brain games, exercises, learning and laughter.
The program is offered at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 381-2744; Simi Valley Senior Center, 583-6363; Agoura Hills Senior Recreation Center, 818-597-7366; and Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center, 818-880-2993. Call each center for dates and times.
A free preview of the program will be available from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday and April 30 at the Goebel Senior Adult Center in Thousand Oaks. For information or to make a reservation call 381-2744.
Senior Concerns also offers private brain fitness sessions using Dakim at the Senior Concerns Day Center. No computer skills are necessary. The session lasts 20 minutes and provide a rigorous workout of the cognitive processes. To learn more call Dana at 497-0189.
Q: I am a new caregiver, have a family of my own to care for and hold down a full-time job. I am finding it difficult. Can any information help me make this work?
A: Yes. Senior Concerns’ Solving the Aging Puzzle Seminar series’ next presentation is made for you.
On April 10 the presentation will be “Balancing Family, Work and Caregiving.” The presentation will be at from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Senior Concerns Day Center, 401 Hodencamp Road in Thousand Oaks.
Carolyn Kopp, a family consultant and gerontologist with Coast Caregiver Resource Center will facilitate the presentation.
Kopp will address the problems faced when caregiving must be balanced with other family obligations and work. She will offer tips on setting priorities, separating work and caregiving responsibilities, asking for help before getting burned-out and working with other family members.
The program will stress the need for the caregiver to put his or her personal needs first and protect family times that are important.
There will be time at the end of the presentation for questions from attendees.
Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling Senior Concerns at 497-0189. Walk-ins will be welcome if space is available.
If you need respite care for a special-needs senior to attend, you can make arrangements for that care at the center when making your reservation. Reservations for respite care are required.
The series will end with “When It’s All Said & Done,” scheduled for May 8.
After the presentation the Senior Concerns staff will start planning the 2012-13 series that will start in the fall.
HAPPENINGS
April 11: “Aging In Place/Home Modification.” 1:30 to 3 p.m., Westlake Village Civic Center, 31200 E. Oak Crest Drive in Westlake Village. For information call 495-6250. No reservations are required.
