Greene County Public Health is hosting a comprehensive program designed to help friends and family members prevent a debilitating disease.

“Unlocking Your Brain: Keys to Dementia Prevention” is a ten week course that will be held on Tuesdays from 10am-noon at the Greene County Community Center from November 8th through January 10th. Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf and Public Health Nurse Deb Hoskins will be facilitating the program, which will be led by some local presenters, including dietitians, pharmacists, fitness professionals, health coach and an audiologist. Wolf describes the format that this program will follow.

“It’s a lot of discussion, back-and-forth sharing, that kind of thing, and trying to help people learn preventative strategies of what they can do, very simple things. What are ten ways that we can improve our health and hopefully reduce our risk of developing Alzhemiers or other forms of dementia?”    

The program is meant for those 55 and older who do not have dementia or other significant cognitive decline diagnoses. The cost to attend is $20. Wolf points out over seven million people have dementia or Alzhemiers and by 2030 over nine million will have a similar or the same diagnosis. The program is sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association and the YMCA of Greater Des Moines. Contact Greene County Public Health to register by calling 515-386-3228.