‘Wits Workout’ at Royal Park Place Encourages Active Minds Royal Park Place residents have a history of prior- itizing brain health. Many residents have already embraced the Dakim Brain Fitness program available to residents on the campus computers. This year, Life Enrichment Director Carrie Fahey started a new program to help keep brains sharp: Wits Workouts, a brain health resource tool developed by the Universi- ty of Illinois Urbana-Champlain Extension Program. This unique program differs from other brain health programs because it has two goals: to provide intel- lectual engagement, and to increase social engage- ment. These goals are based on research showing how closely related intellectual challenges and social connectedness are when it comes to brain health. “Anyone who knows these residents knows they love spending time together, so having a group activity that stimulates their intellect is a perfect fit for them,” says Carrie. “We all find it challenging, but enjoyable.” Once a month, residents meet for a Wits Workout unit. “Usually, it starts with some warmup, like intro- ducing yourself and saying a flower that starts with the same letter of your name (like Carrie Chrysanthe-
mum), and then we go to multiple brain games,” Car- rie explains. “Every month has a themed unit. We’ve done flowers, all about Rome, seasons, and laughter. Some of the exercises are things we work through independently, but the heart of the program includes working together. The exercises are challenging, so I assure the residents there’s no grade. Once we do a ‘workout,’ we go through it together.” One example of the program challenged the resi- dents to name the contents of their purses or wallets without looking. The room filled with laughter as the residents worked.
“The best work is working without know- ing you’re working, and all the laughter and smiles tells us everyone is having a good time,” Carrie says. “At Royal Park, we always have fun, and if it challenges our brains, it’s an extra bonus.”
Can You Answer these Prompts?
1 Please write down as many synonyms as you can for the words “laugh” and “funny” —there are at least 15 for each! 2 A homophone is a word that sounds the same as another word but is spelled differently and has a different meaning. How many pairs of homophones can you identify?
22 PROVIDENCE MAGAZINE | Issue No. 1
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