Tuesday, March 10th 10am-11am

Learn About Neuroplasticity – Our brain’s amazing ability to adapt, change and create new pathways.

Learn about neuroplasticity – our brain’s amazing ability to adapt, change and create new pathways in response to new information or damage. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to continue to grow, change and evolve in response to life experiences. It helps form both our good and bad habits and is the basis for all new learning, training and rehabilitation. Neuroplasticity is an active and dynamic process that occurs over our lifetime. Let’s take charge of our brains to help keep them sharp and to prevent cognitive decline!

Tuesday, April 7th 10am-11am

Exercise & the Benefits to Our Brain Health

Exercise or movement has amazing benefits for our overall health. Exercise increases energy, supports better sleep habits, boosts motivation/immune system, and helps youth handle physical and emotional challenges. Specific chemicals, such as BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) are released to promote neuroplasticity. Exercise can be as simple as playing, dancing, and being physically active.

Tuesday, May 12th 10am-11am

Stressing About Stress

Let’s boost our moods by understanding what stress is and how it impacts our thinking and relationships. When we encounter a stressor, our brain and body respond by triggering a series of chemical reactions that prepare us to engage in a “fight or flight response” from the stressor. This activates the amygdala, or “fear center” of the brain, and causes a series of events. The good news is we can change our feeling of being overwhelmed, anxious, and fearful. Let’s learn the tools to relax and boost our moods.

Midday Momentum Starts Here Looking for something that energizes your 30-minute noon hunger and that packs a playful punch? Say hello to Mind Over Meal Break—your go-to Tuesday presentation series that’s as smart as it is refreshing.  These are located at the YWCA.

Mind Over Meal Break has a variety of Tuesdays at Noon | 30 Minutes of Wellness Wisdom created by Prevea located in the Learning Lab at the YWCA.

Take a break from the grind and stop into a half-hour of inspiration designed to fuel both body and mind.  Mind Over Meal Break delivers bite-sized insights on fitness, nutrition, mental resilience, and lifestyle hacks—all without breaking a sweat. It’s the perfect midday reset: quick, engaging, and just what you need to power through the rest of your day.

• March 17: What’s in your freezer? –  Katie Auten, Prevea RDN
  • Prevea experts will discuss foods in the freezer. You will learn how to freeze meals, how long foods last in the freezer, the importance of proper freezing techniques, proper freezer cleanliness, how to avoid freezer burn and more.
• April 21: What’s the skinny on belly fat? –  Katie Auten, Prevea RDN
  • Your employees may be struggling with belly fat and are wanting a magic pill to slim down the mid-section. Prevea experts will discuss the facts and myths about belly fat including what your employees should be most concerned about.

Reframing Aging means shifting the story from decline to possibility. It’s about recognizing the strengths, wisdom, and resilience that grow with time—and challenging outdated assumptions that limit what people can do as they age. When we change the narrative, we unlock a future where every stage of life is valued, vibrant, and full of potential.  Total of three presentations:

All are at 10 am

Reframing Aging: Transforming the Narrative for Health, Equity, and Well-Being on May 5^th at 10 am by Michelle Erdmann, Caregiver, Dementia and Prevention Manager, ADRC

How we talk about aging shapes how individuals, communities, and systems respond to the opportunities and challenges of growing older. Through practical examples and guided discussion, participants will learn how language and framing influence attitudes toward aging and disability, and how intentional communication can promote dignity, inclusion, and healthier communities.

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand how ageism and ableism influence perceptions, policies, and behaviors
• Learn core communication strategies to reframe aging effectively
• Practice applying reframing techniques in real-world messaging
• Connect with others working to advance more accurate and empowering narratives about aging

Together, we can reshape how aging is discussed—moving from stereotypes and limitations toward a narrative that recognizes the strengths, contributions, and potential of people at every stage of life.

Mind Gym – Games that train your brain on May 14^th at 10 am by Amy Staniforth, Prevention and Program Supervisor, ADRC

Boosting brainpower, one game at a time! This presentation explores how interactive games support cognitive health, enhance memory, and keep our minds agile at any age. Let’s play for a sharper brain!

Give yourself a timeout- importance of Respite on June 10^th at 10 am by Heather Flick, Dementia Care Specialist, ADRC

The dictionary defines respite as: To relieve temporarily, especially from anything

distressing or trying.

In English ~ Taking a break from situations or circumstances that are stressful.

You may have also heard the term “Self-Care”

You have the RIGHT, even the responsibility to take time away from your caregiving role.

By the end of this presentation, you will have a better understanding of:

• The importance of taking care of yourself while caring for a loved one.
• Defining respite looks like for you
• Respite doesn’t need to cost money. If it does, you’ll leave with resources that can help cover the cost of respite.

April 30^th, 12-1pm Stroke Prevention & Awareness

Presenting on Stroke Awareness/Prevention.  What is normal, elevated and do you truly know the difference between Systolic and Diastolic?

Debra Sanchez, COTA

Stroke Support Coordinator,

Emplify Health by Bellin

4/14 @10 am: Reclaiming Your Body After Breast Cancer: Healing Beyond Treatment
Breast cancer treatment may end, but healing continues. This empowering workshop is designed for survivors who want to better understand what’s happening in their bodies post-surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. We’ll explore how treatment impacts the lymphatic system, common challenges like tightness, fatigue, scar tissue, and lymphedema risk, and what you can safely do to support recovery. You’ll leave with practical tools, simple self-care techniques, and renewed confidence in your body’s ability to rebuild strength and restore flow. This session is about education, empowerment, and helping you feel at home in your body again.

5/13 @ 10 am: Understanding Lymphatic Health After Cancer Treatment
Cancer treatment can significantly impact the lymphatic system, yet many survivors receive little education about how to support it afterward. This informative and empowering workshop will help you understand the role of the lymphatic system in healing, why it may be affected by surgery or radiation, and how to recognize early signs of dysfunction such as swelling, tightness, or heaviness. You’ll learn practical, evidence-informed strategies to promote healthy lymphatic flow, reduce risk of lymphedema, and safely support your body’s recovery. Whether you are newly finished with treatment or years into survivorship, this session will provide valuable tools to help you feel informed, proactive, and confident in caring for your body. 💛