Wits Workout is a peer-reviewed, pilot-tested, brain health resource tool developed to assist leaders who provide programming to older adults in community settings. It was developed by Extension colleagues, Chelsey Byers and Molly Hofer from the University of Illinois. Wits Workout has two main goals; to provide purposeful opportunities for older adults to engage intellectually, and to increase their socialization through ongoing group participation.

The 264-page facilitator’s guide consists of 24 themed units, each accommodating a 60 to 90-minute face-to-face program. The length of the session can be modified by the number of activities utilized. Sessions can be offered weekly, biweekly, or monthly, and can stand alone or be presented as a series.  

In February 2024, 101 FCS Agents from UK attended an in-person training course to teach the WITS curriculum. Since that training Wits has been offered 15 times in Grant County to 10-15 participants seniors at the Williamstown Senior Center. An evaluation was performed to measure if any changes had been made by the participants in relation to the material they learned and the results are the following. 

Behavior changes: 

• 90% of participants have challenged themselves by doing something new or intellectually stimulating
• 72% of participants have used strategies to help me remember things in their daily lives
• 72% of participants closer attention and stay focused in order to remember better 
• 72% of participants have tried to incorporate more physical activity in their lives 
• 63% of participants have tried to improve their eating habits 
• 63% of participants have tried to increase my social contacts or be more intentional with socializing with others
• 45% of participants have tried to find healthy ways to manage their stress 
• 45% of participants have worked on getting better sleep
• 81% of participants reported improved mental health and a feeling of well-being

   

When asked what specific examples they had worked to improve participants noted eating less fried foods and more healthy foods, exercise, doing puzzle books, list keeping, more social interaction, and new hobbies and crafts. One participant shared her own success stating "I improved my memory recall with wits workout. I’ve shared some of my life’s experiences with others as well as learning about them. I feel as though I am in a better place."