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January 3, 2014 Douglas County, Colorado | Volume 12, Issue 10 A publication of
parkerchronicle.net
District to appeal judge’s finding DCSD found to have violated campaign act with report By Jane Reuter
jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Torsten Jess, a cognitive enhancement specialist in Parker, works with aging patients who are experiencing neurological difficulties. Courtesy photo
Exercises train aging brains Parker business aims to improve mental function By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz @coloradocommunitymedia.com Mental decline is widely viewed as an inevitable part of growing old. A Parker man is among those who say it doesn’t have to be. Torsten Jess, a cognitive enhancement specialist and founder of Brain Function Optimization, LLC, has spent 16 years treating those with age-associated memory loss and mild cognitive impairments. It is his assertion that mental deterioration is not only avoidable, but that simple exercises can actually improve brain function with age. “By doing cognitive training, it has been proven that we can develop more connections in the brain,” he said. Jess treats a handful of people with brain damage caused by traumatic injuries, but mostly works with patients who have been diagnosed with mild cases of
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. More often than not, he performs his job in a patient’s home or at assisted-living centers in Parker, Castle Rock, Aurora, Denver and all points in between. Using everything from pencil and paper to computer programs, Jess employs a range of “evidence-based” tasks that focus on memory, problem-solving and speed of processing, he said. After doing two sessions per week for six weeks, he instructs the patients to apply the treatments to real-world situations. “They’re introduced in an incremental and well-planned out manner,” Jess said. “We’re able to target specific areas where the person is having problems.” Jess’s expertise in speech and language pathology is not by accident. He began undergoing speech therapy at a young age for a pronounced stutter. It was the subtle but effective manipulation of the brain that drove him into the field. “I began to appreciate the workings of the brain and also the potential of it,” he said. Cognitive training is everywhere, and
the tech world is no different. Popular applications like Lumosity, a computerbased training platform that uses games to improve reasoning, are a good step, but Jess says it’s only a small piece of the puzzle. Staying socially active, for example, is crucial in maintaining a healthy, wellrounded brain. Cognitive impairment can impact everyday tasks, such as budgeting, planning for meals, cleaning, running errands and remembering to take medications. Those who exhibit poor decision-making are at risk of losing their independence and jeopardize their personal safety, Jess says. Repetition of mental exercises is important to connecting neurons and shifting the odds in the patient’s favor. “All of our brains are malleable. They can be shaped and altered, they can be improved upon,” he said. “I have actually seen some pretty remarkable people who have had some pretty considerable deficits that have turned it around. It’s almost like a high for me to help somebody out.” For more information, call 303-6589868 or visit www.brainfunctionoptimization.com.
The Douglas County School District will appeal a judge’s ruling that it violated the Colorado Fair Campaign Practices Act and attempted to influence the outcome of the recent school board election. The ruling was in response to a mid-October complaint filed with the Colorado Secretary of State by unsuccessful school board candidate Julie Keim. She alleged DCSD used district resources to support its Keim preferred candidates, and Administrative Law Judge Hollyce Farrell agreed. Those four ultimately successful candidates — Doug Benevento, Jim Geddes, Judi Reynolds and Meghann Silverthorn — support the school district’s educationreform policies. Farrell’s finding of a violation applied to only one of several claims — a districtfinanced report praising the reforms that was emailed to potential voters — that Keim’s attorney presented during two days of testimony. But the former candidate said it was the key piece of evidence. “We were really looking for the finding on that report, because that was the direct connection of using taxpayer resources to finance a political agenda,” Keim said, DCSD continues on Page 12
THE TOP 13 SOUTH METRO STORIES OF 2013 A look back at the news that left the biggest impression last year
in the form of prayers, vigils and a tribute outside a fence at the school that included gifts, flowers and cards from people from around the area. “Warrior strong” and “Warriors always take care of one another” could be seen on signs across the area. Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson praised the quick response of the school resource officer after Karl Pierson began shooting at around 12:30 p.m. Dec. 13. With the resource officer fast approaching, Pierson took his own life about 80 seconds after firing his first shot. Since the shooting, classes have been canceled at Arapahoe High School. They are scheduled to resume next week. — Chris Rotar
Staff report The south metro Denver area saw no shortage of news — or controversy — in 2013, making it a tough task to narrow down the contenders for our stories-ofthe-year package. The newsroom staff of Colorado Community Media has whittled the list down to 13 for 2013. They are listed in no particular order, aside from the story of the year, the Arapahoe High School shooting, which horrified us all. You can decide how the other 12 should be ranked.
C-470 project around the bend
Following two years of outreach and research, this February, the C-470 Corridor Coalition Steering Committee — made up
School shooting at Arapahoe High
An 18-year-old student entered Arapahoe High School, home of the Warriors, on Dec. 13, shot a fellow student in the head, then killed himself. Authorities believe the gunman, an Arapahoe High senior, was targeting a faculty member, but was prepared to cause mass casualties at the Centennial school.
Top 13 continues on Page 5
Makeshift memorials began to pop up immediately in the aftermath of the Dec. 13 shooting at Arapahoe High School. Two weeks later, flowers, notes, signs and candles still lined the perimeter of the school. Photo by Chris Rotar Claire Davis, a 17-year-old senior at the school, spent more than a week in critical condition at Littleton Adventist Hospital.
She died Dec. 21. In the days following the shooting, community support poured in for Davis
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