Ageless Grace at Westridge Swim and Racquet Club

Renee is passionate about seniors living with dementia. She and her husband, Paul, are the owners of FirstLight Home Care of Woodbridge, VA. Renee graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and studied Pastoral Care and Counseling at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Renee has an extensive background in education and training. In addition to being a certified Ageless Grace Educator, Renee is currently a certified trainer of Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care, a cutting-edge approach to caring for those living with dementia. Renee is the mom of two daughters and the proud grandma of two granddaughters.

Ageless Grace

at Westridge Swim and Racquet Club

Ageless Grace Brain Health Fitness is a brain-body program based on the concept of neuroplasticity. It is designed to support cognitive health and activate all five primary functions of the brain. The program uses physical “games” called “tools” that stimulate the brain, work the core, and activate the organs and systems of the body. The 21 tools of the program are based on the cutting-edge concept of neuroplasticity - the ability of the brain to change structurally and functionally. Anyone, at any age, including those with physical disabilities and challenges, can participate at his or her own level of ability.

Each tool addresses a primary factor commonly related to physical aging. All the tools stimulate and utilize the five functions of the brain – strategic planning, memory and recall, analytical thinking, creativity and imagination, and kinesthetic learning. Ageless Grace can restore and maintain neural pathways as well as stimulate the creation of new ones. The 21 tools of Ageless Grace activate the core of the body, including the internal organs and systems, such as the respiratory system, endocrine system, and digestive system. The program is led by a certified Ageless Grace Educator and is practiced in a chair, stimulating the brain to figure out how to do these activities while seated, rather than standing. Performing the tools in a chair also affects physical skills, such as balance, stability, range of motion, etc. People of all ages and abilities (including children) can perform the movements, including those with weight and joint issues, diabetes, and other challenges or physical limitations.

Using just three tools each day, for 10 minutes, is all that’s required to get plenty of benefit from the program. All that’s needed is a chair, a clock to time your practice for 10 minutes, and some music to stimulate your brain and body even further. Originally scheduled for late March and early April, Ageless Grace Brain Health Fitness will be presented in the near future at Westridge Swim and Racquet Club’s Clubhouse. This program will be offered at no cost to residents; morning and evening sessions will be offered. For more information about Ageless Grace, visit the website at http://www. agelessgrace.com/.