In response to COVID-19, the Gathering Place has started offering virtual classes three mornings each week to people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Goals of the new program, CompU.Talk, are to slow cognitive decline and improve short term memory and mood in a format that is stimulating and fun for the student.
Included in the curriculum are current events, exercise, music, art, and memory retrieval activities. In numerous studies, the individual topics have all been found to be effective in delaying symptoms of the diseases. The activities that lower risk factors for Alzheimer’s are the same for slowing progression of the disease at any stage.
Classes are free, limited in size, and all materials are provided at no cost. Applicants must register in the Gathering Place program, be able to read and write, and provide a doctor’s diagnosis. They must also have a computer or a hands-free device with a camera and microphone. In most cases, they will also need a caregiver who will help them access the virtual classroom via Zoom each morning.