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, Dr. 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.  

From July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, Wits has been offered 12 times in Knox County to 15 participants. Participants aged from ages 60 to 25 years of age. Presented units include summarize units from your county.

The feedback from participants is overwhelmingly positive.  Participants love to attend the program and invite friends and family to the program.   One participant stated, “I am always laughing at WITS.”

To further support brain health, Knox County has offered cooking through the calendar classes, hiking classes for health, and a beautiful minds program for dementia prevention. UK FCS will continue to work with extension colleagues from the U of IL to support WITS Workout and enhance evaluation of the program.