Recent Projects
Fit Minds Group Programs
Fit Minds supports seniors within all 200 Chartwell communities. Chartwell staff leads group cognitive stimulation exercises for seniors in retirement living and seniors in memory neighbourhoods.
I have been in the industry for 25 years and have seen a lot of programming. Fit Minds stands head and shoulders above the rest. This is a complete solution that allows us to adapt to our clients’ individual needs and is easily executed by our staff. I saw first-hand the positive impact that the program had on my residents.
Caroline Proulx – Regional Lifestyle and Program Manager
Fit Minds staff lead bi-monthly cognitive stimulation exercises at Allegro Hyde Park, a premier senior-living community in Florida.
Ask Jennifer Rotunda, General Manager, about the difference that Fit Minds is making in her community.
Fit Minds supports seniors within all Alavida communities with group cognitive stimulation exercises for healthy seniors and seniors in memory care. Fit Minds also provides individual cognitive coaches to Alavida residents.
Ask Ashley VanDoorn, Memory Care Operations & Education Manager, why they chose Fit Minds
“I’ve had the opportunity to see Fit Minds programs in action from the very start, I was impressed with the difference the Fit Minds programs made in the lives of my residents when I was the general manager at Portobello Manor. I remember with one family in particular, the improvement of her memory and the ability to interact with her kids had a huge impact on the family relationships.
Marie-France Lalonde – Member of Provincial Parliament, Ottawa-Orléans
Fit Minds Individual Cognitive Coaching – Personal Trainer for the Mind
Fit Minds supports memory care residents and their families at The Estate at Hyde Park with individualized cognitive coaching and monthly reporting.
Ask Mary Waka about the difference that Fit Minds is making with her residents.
Fit Minds provides the programming, training and platform to Retire-At-Home franchises, enabling their homecare workers to deliver cognitive stimulation exercises.
Retire-At-Home is very excited to be offering the Interact Individual brain fitness program to our clients and their families. Our priority has always been to provide high quality personalized care that addresses both the emotional and physical health of an individual. With the Fit Minds program, we’re able to deliver on this commitment by offering clients with dementia, Alzheimer’s or other neurological conditions a non-pharmacological treatment option. The impact Fit Minds has on the quality of life of our clients is quite remarkable. We’ve seen first hand how Fit Minds helps to restore confidence and reduce apathy. It’s an incredible program that produces amazing results.
Sheri Cayouette, Vice President Field Operations, Retire-At-Home LP
A Fit Minds Client
Shortly after moving into an independent living residence, I began working with a Fit Minds coach. I became motivated and more confident about engaging in cognitive activities. I started reading again! I came to understand that simply doing crossword puzzles was not enough to keep my brain healthy.
A Fit Minds Family Caregiver
Fantastic interaction, quality time, sense of accomplishment for both of us
Read more from Rosemary
“While visiting my 91-year-old mom in Halifax, I did 8 Fit Mind Sessions with her. Fantastic interaction, quality time, sense of accomplishment for both of us. Many thanks.”
Listen to Rosemary tell her story.
Genese Smith, Retire-At-Home Franchise Owner, Calgary
I would recommend the Fit Minds program for anyone who presently lives with Dementia or Alzheimer’s
Read more from Genese
Since we have started serving the senior population in 2010, we have seen a growing concern about the progressive deterioration of many bodily functions over a period of time as we age especially brain function. When we heard about the Fit Minds program, it was an easy decision to make to be part of this pilot program and we were so glad we did. The Fit Minds program is structured and easy to understand and fun for the client that we are presently working with. The caregiver enjoys delivering the program as she watches the improvement of the client overtime. The caregiver commented that “the client was so happy to recognize me when I came to one of the sessions and has been more communicative and not so sleepy since the Fit minds program”. I would recommend the Fit Minds program for anyone who presently lives with Dementia or Alzheimer’s. This solution was unique because it was tailored to her needs and the client enjoyed doing physical activities more than she did the intellectual activities. She has been more engaged and has showed improvement in how she connects. I particularly liked this program because it is a holistic program that uses human interaction instead of having using a computer and it is delivered by a certified Fit Minds cognitive coach. This program helps caregivers to connect and engage with the clients giving meaningful interactions that are interesting and stimulating. The interactions are meant to be consistent and of a high quality so that the client feels well cared for and connected. It helps reduce anxiety and negative behaviours. It takes a positive approach where we engage and interact with her and the goal is to have a positive impact on her behaviour.
Anthony Vicari – National Association for Activity Professionals (NAAP) Vice-President
She is a true cutting-edge leader; providing positive and forward-thinking research and information.
Read more from Anthony
As the past Professional Development Trustee for NAAP, I personally witnessed Nicole guide and lead a conference session in Daytona Beach, Florida. She is a true cutting-edge leader; providing positive and forward-thinking research and information. Nicole worked well with audience participants and involved them with active role plays and answered questions in a positive and friendly manner. One of the most impressive traits I saw in Nicole was her respect for others. She demonstrated a true team player attitude and made every effort to listen and work with others toward the success of the conference. Conference attendees were impressed with her presentation and expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation.
Mary Ann Kaspick – Fit Minds Coach, Retire-At-Home Calgary
My client has grown, and her life has taken on more meaning
Read more from Mary Ann
It has been a thrill and privilege to work with […] using the “Fit Minds” program. She has good days and bad days in regards to memory, mood, ability, emotions etc. just like everyone else. However, my client has grown, and her life has taken on more meaning since she looks forward to the exercises and activities. In a sense her world has expanded from what she had been doing.
Christie Baca, Chartwell Empress Kanata
Family members felt the program helped foster more positive interactions during their visits
Read more from Christie
“We have implemented the ‘Fit Minds’ program on our newly open Assisted Living Floor. The tools in the kit were used daily by Activity staff to provide meaningful one to one visits and small group programs for residents with cognitive impairments. The games are diverse in their themes and appeal to residents’ interests, helping promote conversation and reminiscing about their past experiences. They also offer a wide range of ways to play that can be tailored to the residents’ individual needs and abilities. Staff and family members were also trained to use the tools in order to help reduce wandering, exit seeking and repetitive behaviours. Many family members felt the program helped foster more positive interactions during their visits. We feel that ‘Fit Minds’ has greatly benefited the residents and care team at the Empress.”
Crystal Desjardins, Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County
We have had great response with the program from our clients in early stage to the farther advanced clients also.
Read more from Crystal
“I am the Team Lead of the Day Away Program for the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County. We implemented the Fit Minds kits into our program approximately 7 months ago. We have had great response with the program from our clients in early stage to the farther advanced clients also. We regularly use them when a client is showing responsive behaviors to alleviate agitation. We have found our clients in the earlier stage of the disease like the activities Sudoku and Timeline cards. These get our clients talking about past experiences and memories that normally are not shared with us. Our clients in the later stages of the disease enjoy the activities “Around the house/neighborhood” and the Association Cards very much. These activities are easy for them and create less frustration than other activities. We also use the kits when a client is showing responsive behavior and needs some 1 on 1 time alone. The kits provide many opportunities to discuss events and past experiences for them. I have found these kits to be a great complement to our program and to our clients.”
Karen Kardassilaris, Activity Directory, Windsor Park Manor
I am so excited because he is a totally different man, and his self esteem is improving session by session
Read more from Karen
I have completed 5 sessions with […] and I have already noticed a HUGE improvement in both his cognitive skills and eagerness to participate. I work with him every Monday and Wednesday at 11 am and on the Friday at 11 am as well…. He shows up 15 to 20 minutes ahead of time, and this past week I even got him to attend our weekly session of Mental Aerobics. What an accomplishment. His wife […], has thanked me because she sees him getting out of his room more and sleeping less. I am so excited because he is a totally different man, and his self esteem is improving session by session. All in all, I am so excited about this program and so very happy I decided to do it.
