We are looking forward to expanding our Health & Resiliency programs in the coming months with evidence-based activities that are accessible to all. Topics and activities will include mindfulness practices; incorporating nature, art and music into our daily lives, and simple approaches for improved nutrition, sleep, and overall wellbeing of mind, body, and spirit. A core of all our programs is offering a source of connection with others, to address the common experience of isolation and loneliness that can happen to us all, especially in the time of social distancing.
The Dementia Care Collaborative’s pioneer health and resiliency offering is Ageless Grace®, a brain:body wellness program. Grounded in the science of neuroplasticity – the basic idea that the brain and nervous system can change form and function,
Ageless Grace® is a playful seated movement class with upbeat music.
Classes offer a time and space to be in community and reduce the sensation of social
isolation that many of us feel. This program is offered in a light-hearted way to foster a sense of community and connection, joy and ease. Ageless Grace exercises address
joint mobility, spinal flexibility, coordination, bone density, balance, awareness,
confidence and overall health.
Every BODY is welcome. These movement are done seated and accessible to most
everyone.
Classes are taught by certified Ageless Grace instructor, Maria Skinner, and meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays on each month from 9:15-10:00AM EST.
Contact Dementiacaregiversupport@mgh.harvard.edu if you are interested.
Strength and Balance is an exercise class taught by personal trainer Phil Golden. Phil leads the class through exercises and movements that can be performed both seated and standing, accommodating the various needs and abilities of participants. Phil is able to adjust the exercises as needed to further meet participants’ needs. The aim of this class is to increase the strength and balance required for basic movements, daily actions, and transitions. This class is open to all and no prior experience is necessary.
Every BODY is welcome. You can do this class seating or standing as these movement and accessible to most everyone.
Contact Dementiacaregiversupport@mgh.harvard.edu if you are interested.
Ageless Grace is so fun it’s easy to forget it’s good for you. A joyless, obligatory exercise program it is not! My mom says she likes that there’s no pressure – just show up and do what you can. Seeing her smile and laugh makes it completely worthwhile. Norie’s spirit, playlist and imagery keeps things rolling along. She makes it easy to engage. There’s a sweet, open-hearted feeling to the class that makes us feel safe and welcome. Me and my mom get to play for a while – a happy diversion from our daily routine!
The Dementia Care Collaborative continues to offer supportive experiences for its community of caregivers.
While our educational forum, Conversations with Caregivers, offers more didactic/academic learning experiences, our Health and Resiliency evening programs focus on creating a space for enhanced community and socio-emotional-spirit support.
This series often offers real tangible ways to shift from a place of chronic stress and anxiety to a place of greater healing, health, and wholeness. Programs are typically offered the first Tuesday of the month from 5:30-6:30 PM EST. Each unique program offers a way to shift toward greater awareness and resiliency, toward feeling more empowered and in alignment with how you want to feel. Topics are varied and wide-ranging and may draw from mindfulness techniques and the benefits of music, art, and movement for our spirits. We explore how we nourish ourselves by what we ingest (it’s not just what we eat!), how important rest is and ways to create more opportunities for relaxation, and how to increase joy and connection and reduce fear and isolation.
