Strengthening and maintaining brain health is vital for people of all ages, particularly as we grow older and may experience changes in memory and thinking. Although this topic is a considerable concern for many older adults, there remains stigma around public dialogue, and accessible resources promoting brain health as we age are limited. A group of researchers, nurses, social workers, and students at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health are working to help older adults develop the knowledge and tools needed to protect their brain health and the know-how to connect with resources and extra support when needed.
“The unique needs of older adults necessitate innovative and accessible solutions, and I believe scientists have a major role to play in delivering those solutions here and now,” says Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, PhD, RN, Brain & Body Fitness leader, associate vice chair of research and associate professor in the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine, UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Gilmore-Bykovskyi’s research lab is dedicated to improving care for people affected by aging-related changes in brain health, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
In 2017, the lab launched the Brain Health Equity Initiative with the goal of fostering community-responsive partnerships and programs to promote healthy brain aging. The initiative reflects Dr. Gilmore-Bykovskyi’s commitment to ensuring scientific progress is accompanied by community investment and capacity building — particularly among those disproportionately affected by changes in brain health.
As a part of this work, the Brain Health Equity Initiative team (or Brain Health Team) developed a novel, community-based brain health promotion program in 2019 called Brain & Body Fitness in collaboration with Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) and the Dane County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC).
Brain & Body Fitness hosts weekly meetings over the course of 1-2 months focused on brain health education, physical exercise, and
cognitively stimulating activities and conversation. The program is informed by research on cognitive aging and cognitive resilience, and is designed for those who are concerned about changes they notice in their memory and thinking or who want to improve their physical and mental well-being.
To learn more about the Brain & Body Fitness program or how to join, please visit gilmorebykovskyilab.org or email brainhealthteam@medicine.wisc.edu.
"‘Brain & Body Fitness’ promotes brain health equity through community partnerships" was published online by the University of Wisconsin BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine on June 6, 2023.
