MindWorks

forBetterMinds is pleased to offer a program created for seniors who want to keep their minds sharp. Specially designed for people who want to stay mentally engaged, confident, and connected—using evidence-based cognitive stimulation techniques.

Cognitive stimulation, that is, stimulating our minds, has been shown to be the second most important activity we can do to improve our brain health. After diet, challenging and engaging our minds is crucial to enhance and maintain neural networks and make the most of our brain's ability.

We provide an enjoyable and engaging program, delivered one human to another, online through Zoom, or in person in Toronto. We will meet with you for one or two hours per week, for an engaging and enriching conversation.

Who can benefit from our BrainWorks program?

Do you know a senior who doesn’t get enough socialization and interaction? Do you know someone who rarely gets to have a meaningful conversation? Maybe you know someone who’d love to discuss topics and have an exchange of ideas, but never gets to do so.

Unfortunately, a lot of us lack socialization and meaningful conversations. When we get older, retire, and leave the work world, our social circles can dwindle.

Living alone can further exacerbate isolation. As well, seniors who are lonely have been shown to have poorer cognition (memory, processing speed, and ease of speaking) than seniors who are not lonely¹.

Our BrainWorks program can provide a warm, welcoming connection, along with mental engagement, stimulating conversation, and challenging your mind.

What improvements might someone experience while participating in the BrainWorks program?

Faster brain processing speed

Increased confidence in speaking and sharing ideas

Better global cognition

Enhances word-finding ability (better able to find the desired word in spontaneous speech)

Better Visuospatial Perception

Improving conversation and communication underpins the reasons why people (and their carers!) score higher on a quality of life evaluation (the QOL-AD scale²) after a brain stimulation program, as people’s quality of life increases when communication improves.

What is involved in the MindWorks Program?

The MindWorks Program is delivered through your computer through Zoom, one-on-one with a forBetterMinds Coach. If you live in Toronto, we can deliver the program in person.

Each session is themed and includes topics such as travel, discussion of current affairs, art, and music.

There are no right or wrong answers, and the sessions are based on creating new thoughts and ideas and asking people’s opinions rather than relying on factual answers. Asking your opinion and forming new ideas makes you find new ways to express yourself verbally.

1

Can tolerate 1 hour of sitting

2

Have no significant hearing or visual impairment that would impact engagement

3

Have adequate English to engage in conversation

4

Have the motivation and desire to participate (very important)

A brief assessment during intake will allow us to determine if you or a loved one are a good candidate for the program.

How do I get started?

Fill in our contact form, and we will get back to you within 1 business day.

To make it easy for you to try it out, we currently offer an introductory session! The introductory session will be applied to the full program if you wish to continue.

We look forward to working with you!

References

Harrington, K. D., Vasan, S., Kang, J. E., Sliwinski, M. J., & Lim, M. H. (2023). Loneliness and Cognitive Function in Older Adults Without Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Alzheimer’s disease : JAD, 91(4), 1243–1259. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-220832
Woods B. T., Thorgrimsen L., Spector A., Royan L., Orrell M. Improved quality of life and cognitive stimulation therapy in dementia. Aging and Mental Health. 2006;10(3):219–226.