Daytime Speakers

  • Spanish Conversation for Cognitive Well-Being: Advanced Class

    Spanish Conversation for Cognitive Well-Being: Advanced Class

    Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | 3:30-4:30pm

    Advance Class - 6 weel class. Wednesdays January 8 - February 12

    This course is designed to provide a stimulating and engaging environment for individuals interested in learning Spanish while promoting cognitive health. Through interactive conversation activities, this course aims to enhance mental agility, memory and linguistic skills, all while fostering social connections and cultural understanding. In this 6-week course, participants will explore daily conversational topics. Your instructor, Señora Bartlett, will guide you through various activities and exercises designed to challenge your brain, improve language proficiency and keep your cognitive abilities sharp.

    Señora Carla Bartlett is a native Spanish speaker and also fluent in Italian. She has been teaching for over 30 years at the high school and Adult Education levels. She holds a BA from U of M-Ann Arbor and a MASTERS Art of Teaching.

  • Ageways-Caregiver Support

    Ageways-Caregiver Support

    Thursday, January 23, 2025 | 1:00-2:00pm

    Julie Lowenthal, AgeWays (formerly The Area Agency on Aging 1-B)

    The Ageways nonprofit Senior Services is a nonprofit serving older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers in a six-county region of southeast Michigan. We help people access the services and programs they need to remain living independently and with dignity in their own home or with family caregivers. Join us fora closer look at the programs and services the agency has available to seniors and their caregivers. We will be spotlighting our in-home care programs, Meals on Wheels, Health and Wellness classes, Caregiver Coaching Program and other supports for those who are aging or those who are caring for a loved one. You will come away with the knowledge and support needed to take care of yourself, care for a relative or friend and understand where to go when you need help. Our hope is that you know that you can turn to Ageways Senior Services every step of the way

  • An In-Depth Study of Africa

    An In-Depth Study of Africa

    Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | 1:00-2:30pm

    Gus Mondalek, International Affairs Expert

    Join Gus Mondalek this unique and intimate 4-part lecture series on Africa, the second largest continent in the world. Seating is limited.

    Each session will explore the historical, social, cultural, political and future outlook of North, South, East and West Africa. We encourage members to register for the entire series, however, if you can’t fit all four sessions into your schedule, feel free to sign-up for individual sessions.

    January 28 – North Africa, February 4 – South Africa, February 11 – East Africa, February 18 – West Africa

  • The World of Forensic Science

    The World of Forensic Science

    Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 1:00-2:00pm

    Ruth Holmes, CDE, Handwriting Examiner, Pentec, Inc.

    Document and fraud examiners study for years the science and the art of examining handwriting, signatures, numbers, financial transactions, forensic methods, investigation techniques, the law, communication and preparation of testimony, and exhibits for court as expert witnesses. In over thirty years in the field, Ruth Holmes has faced some of the most difficult challenges possible from murderers to the media, from the judges to the juries. Learn the highs and lows from her experiences and remarkable cases. 

  • Simple Ways to Improve Brain Health and Memory

    Simple Ways to Improve Brain Health and Memory

    Thursday, February 13, 2025 | 11:00-12:00pm

    Adam Sterling, Certified Dementia Practitioner

    Research indicates that up to 40% of dementias may be linked to lifestyle factors. These presentations will look at brain anatomy and provide practical activities and information to improve cognition, memory and significantly enhance brain health. We encourage members to register for both presentations, however, if you can’t fit both sessions into your schedule, feel free to sign-up for just one. The presenter, Adam Sterling, is a Certified Dementia Practitioner with over 30 years of experience in senior wellness, including work with the Alzheimer's Association and senior living communities.

    PRESENTATION #1: BRAIN HEALTH – SIMPLE ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE MEMORY AND COGNITION Thursday, February 13 at 11:00 am  This presentation will…

    • Explore how aging impacts brain anatomy, cognition, and memory.

    • Explain about common changes in memory storage and retrieval with age.

    • Deliver practical strategies to support cognitive health.

    • Include engaging exercises designed to stimulate the brain and boost memory.

    Participants will receive a multi-page handout with a variety of practical, short daily activities/exercises to enhance memory and cognitive function.

    PRESENTATION #2: BRAIN HEALTH – HOW THE BRAIN CREATES MEMORIES, DISTINGUISHING NORMAL FORGETFULNESS FROM DEMENTIA AND MNEMONIC MEMORY TOOLS Thursday, February 20 at 11:00 am

    This presentation will…

    • Explore how the brain forms and stores memories.

    • Demonstrate the difference between normal forgetfulness and signs of dementia.

    • Deliver information about reversible vs. irreversible dementias.

    • Include an introduction to mnemonic tools to aid memory and information recall.