Part 1 of a 3-part series
Submitted by Joan Gerberding
Let’s face it. Aging is inevitable. But how we age, how we proactively work to slow down the changes in our thinking processes, attention spans, ability to focus, even in our physical balance, strength, and overall well-being, has become a scientific approach to aging that has flourished over the past few years.
As elder cognitive abilities have slowed down, the science of improving chronological aging has sped up, allowing older people the opportunity to increase their life expectancy, while improving the quality of their daily lives. Several programs are now offered throughout the country.
One such program, known as SMARTfit Gamification, is now available at the Collier County/Marco YMCA located at 101 Sand Hill Street, off San Marco Road.
The unit was donated to the Marco “Y” by Bob and Kelly Willenborg, of Marco Island, FL and Effingham, IL. The SMARTfit program provides brain training designed to specifically engage multiple parts of the human brain. The program is scalable, according to the abilities of the user. It combines brain and physical activity, providing both challenges and safety measures that match the level of the user’s abilities. The unit itself is adjustable in height so that it can accommodate people of all sizes, as well as people in wheelchairs.
First a visitor to her parent’s home, then a seven-month-a-year resident of Marco Island during the past 34 years, Kelly Willenborg could easily be called a “serial entrepreneur.” As a Brain Health Gerontologist, Music Interventionist, and a Philanthropist for Neuro Programs, Kelly invests time in several cognitive health programs and launched her own non-profit foundation in 2016 to help people both here on Marco Island, and in her home state of Illinois.
“I volunteered at the Marco “Y” for Rock Steady Boxing for a few weeks, and that really kickstarted my passion for boosting brain health,” she said. “I immediately got my instructor certification, raised funds for equipment, found a venue, and began teaching it when I went back to Effingham.”
From there, Kelly launched the “Peace for Parkinson’s” resource program, a support group that offered starter kits and training on how to handle the disease. She then researched and eventually purchased the SMARTfit unit, which she and husband Bob donated to a local hospital in Illinois.
“We were able to improve cognitive scores with just two sessions a week over a five-week period,” continued Willenborg. “When I returned to Marco, I wanted to show my gratitude to the “Y” for inspiring me to get more involved with Parkinson’s and other cognitive disorder programs. So, Bob and I invested in another SMARTfit unit and donated that too.”
Because the Collier/Marco “Y” is medically licensed with PTs and OTs on site, the decision to donate this SMARTfit unit here on Marco was basically a “no-brainer” for the Willenborgs.
“MyMemoryWorx’ is my non-profit foundation. Our mission is to promote brain health, prevent cognitive decline in the healthy, and slow decline in those with mild to moderate impairment,” Kelly continues. “And the ‘Y’ is a great organization to partner with.”
For more information on the MyMemoryWorx SMARTfit program, call the Collier County/Marco YMCA at 239-394-9622.
