This is Everyday Brain Fitness and Bioflex Laser’s approach to supporting healthy brain function:
Comprehensive brain exercise
Schedule a personal assessment
The assessment takes about 30-45 minutes and consists of listening to concerns, inquiring about health history then checking for cognitive and physical strengths using some or all of the following evidence based tools: FAB, VAMC, SLUMS, TUG, Trailblazing, and Serials. Upon completion of the assessment a brief written report is generated and submitted to the client stating findings and recommendations for individual or group brain fitness, stability and balance enhancement and/or low-level laser to support healthy brain function.
**Disease related dementia may respond to a dedicated brain fitness regimen by slowing down the symptoms but brain fitness alone cannot reverse or stop the disease progression.
Fee information is available in the forms section on the right.
Individual Brain Fitness Sessions
Each one hour session includes a combination of rapidly changing exercises developed to retain and strengthen areas of cognitive challenge. The personally tailored program begins within the area of greatest cognitive strength and progresses into the areas of greatest challenge. These exercises combine the use of small manipulative devices and simple body movements to stimulate:
- Concentration and Attention
- Visual discrimination of foreground-background and of form and color
- Visual discrimination of position in space
- Visual memory: sequence, shapes
- Imagination, Flexibility, Speed, Integration
- Auditory and visual analysis and synthesis of position in space
- Auditory and visual discrimination of dimensionality
- Problem Solving
- Auditory memory
- Balance
- Sensory function
- Orientation point
Fee information is available in the forms section on the right.
Group Brain Fitness Sessions
Expect to expand awareness through brain body connections in these classes. Participants are asked to set aside preconceived notions regarding learning practices and engage in the journey of contemplating solutions. Each one hour weekly session includes exercises that trigger inspiration, imagination and creativity. Classes are limited to six participants–an optimal setting to apply evidence based programming that focuses on strengthening and retaining:
- Concentration and Attention
- Visual discrimination of foreground-background and of form and color
- Visual discrimination of position in space
- Visual memory: sequence, shapes
- Imagination, Flexibility, Speed, Integration
- Auditory and visual analysis and synthesis of position in space
- Auditory and visual discrimination of dimensionality
- Problem Solving
- Auditory memory
- Balance
- Sensory function
The exercises within this program rely on individual and group interactions doubling the benefits found in a solitary cognitive fitness program. Among other things, these exercises combine the use of small manipulative devices and simple body movements.
Fee information is available in the forms section on the right.
Physical exercise for strength and balance
Tai Chi for Better Balance
This is an evidence-based community fall prevention program for older adults. The program protocol consists of a core 8-form routine and a subroutine of therapeutic movements, which, collectively, involve a set of simple, continuous, rhythmic and functional Tai Chi-based actions. The program represents a significant enhancement of traditional Tai Chi by transforming the movements into therapeutic training for balance and daily functioning. Practice focuses on stimulating musculoskeletal and sensory systems via self-initiated movements such as weight shifting from foot to foot, unilateral weight-bearing, trunk rotation, ankle sways, and coordinated eye-head-hand movements. The goals of the training are to improve postural stability, control of body positioning, gait initiation, movement symmetry and coordination, and to build lower-extremity strength. Chair-supported progressions, from completely seated, through sit-and-stand, to chair assisted, are also included to meet the specific needs and performance capabilities of the participants.
Currently available through Everyday Brain Fitness and Bioflex Laser are beginner and intermediate 8 movement Tai Chi classes at First Presbyterian church. These classes focus on wellness and integrate body, mind and spirit into the practice versus a focus on martial art aspects. The classes are taught by Julie Carda, a certified instructor in 8 and 24 movement Tai Chi. Participants must pre-register with the instructor. No-drop-ins please.
For fees and times, visit the First Presbyterian website at www.bendfp.org/wellbeing .
Dance for Parkinson’s
Dance for Parkinson’s is based on the Mark Morris Dance Group/Brooklyn Parkinson Group’s acclaimed Dance for PD model. Dance for Parkinson’s incorporates movement from modern and theater dance, ballet, folk dance, tap, improvisation, and choreographic repertory. The Dance for Parkinson’s class is an aesthetic experience that uses the elements of narrative, imagery, music and community to develop artistry and grace while addressing such PD-specific concerns as balance, flexibility, coordination, isolation and depression. The classes engage the participants’ minds and bodies, and creates an enjoyable, social environment that emphasizes dancing rather than therapy. Julie Carda is a recipient of the Mark Morris Dance for PD Stanley J Wertheimer fellowship.
Visit Dance for Parkinsons Website
Ten Reasons Dance is helpful for people with PD
- Dance develops flexibility and instills confidence.
- Dance is first and foremost a stimulating mental activity that connects mind to body.
- Dance breaks isolation.
- Dance invokes imagery in the service of graceful movement.
- Dance focuses attention on eyes, ears and touch as tools to assist in movement and balance.
- Dance increases awareness of where all parts of the body are in space.
- Dance tells stories.
- Dance sparks creativity.
- The basis of dance is rhythm.
- The essence of dance is joy.
Low Level Laser Therapy (Bioflex Laser)
