Design and Implementation of a Community Program to Promote Cognitive Vitality Among Seniors

Abstract

Background: Jog Your Mind is a community-based program aiming to enable seniors to maintain their cognitive abilities. It includes stimulating activities, information on aging, mnemonic strategies, and promotion of a healthy lifestyle and is offered over 10 weekly sessions to seniors with no known cognitive impairment. Purpose: This article describes the development and content of the program, as well as the results of the process evaluation. Methods: A coconstruction framework guided the development and evaluation of the program. The development involved experts, practitioners, and partners. The program was implemented by 13 community organizations (n = 143 seniors). Program implementation, response of the participants, and group leaders' and managers' opinions of the program were documented. Results: The program was implemented in variable contexts, socioeconomic levels, type and size of settings, group leaders' background, and participants' profiles. Seniors' satisfaction and participation rates were high. Opinions from group leaders and managers were positive and suggestions for improvement were minor. Discussion: Jog Your Mind was considered as satisfactory and beneficial by participants and feasible by community organization practitioners. Translation to Health Education Practice: Using a systematic, coconstruction framework involving stakeholders can lead to relevant and practical interventions that are well received by practitioners and the target population.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the community organizations and the seniors who participated in this project.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Grant No. 102 545).