About 80,000 Kentuckians aged 65 and older currently live with Alzheimer's dementia. That represents roughly 10% of residents in this age group. Additionally 11.2% of adults aged 45 and over report subjective cognitive decline. Between 2020 and 2025, the number of older Kentuckians with Alzheimer's is expected to rise to around 86,000. Alzheimer's isn't just a health issue, its a public health and economic challenge. With the aging baby boomer demographic and insufficient specialist care, Kentucky faces a looming crisis unless proactive measures are taken.

To help address this health concern , the University of Illinois Extension program Wits Workout was brought to Kentucky, 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. Wits Workout has two main goals to provide purposeful opportunities for older adults to engage in intellectually , and to increase their socialization through ongoing group participation. The program consist of 24 themed units, each accommodating a 60-90 minute face to face sessions that can be done weekly, biweekly, or monthly. 

A weekly series of Wits Workout was offered by Anderson County Cooperative  Extension Area Agent for age 5-10 adult participants aged 50 and over. Participants attending sessions gained elements of brain health such as intellectual challenges , exercise , diet, sleep, stress management , recall and socialization. This program offers opportunity for participants to share memories from travel , grade school , community and work history. Participants noted that they look forward to the sessions even the ones that seem challenging. Participants reported gaining knowledge on the importance of mental activity.