According to the Alzheimer’s Association website, Alzheimer’s disease is a growing public health crisis in Kentucky. The impact of Alzheimer’s is projected to rise, and the most recent data shows the following:

81,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in Kentucky.

11.2% of people aged 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline.

157,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease in Kentucky.

302 million hours of unpaid care provided by Alzheimer’s caregivers.

$4.8 billion is the value of the unpaid care.

$949 million is the cost of Alzheimer’s to the state Medicaid program.

To address these concerns and to lessen the burden and enhance the quality of life for those living with cognitive impairment and their families, the Wit’s Workout Program was offered beginning in May of 2024 at the Trigg County Senior Citizen’s Center.

At the time this was written, the participants had been offered 12 sessions out of the 24 in the entire curriculum. The sessions are offered 2 times each month. There were an average of 24 participants at each session. 100% of the participants who filled out an evaluation scored the Wits Workout program overall as Great or Excellent. 77% of those shared that one of the most important things they have gained from attending Wits Workout sessions is friendships/socializing with others. 100% of the participants also share that they have used the information from this program to make at least one positive change in their lives to help with their brain health. One participant shared that Wits Workout has had an impact on her life because it is “Lot’s of fun” and she “loves the interaction with others.” When asked what aspect of Wits Workout do you find most beneficial, she replied “All the memory stuff.”  When asked if they wanted to take a break from the sessions or continue, 100% said they wanted to continue.

Teresa Garcia

January 16, 2025

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