1. Incorporation of Dementia Prevention
into Programming at Capstone Village
Rene’ P. Katsinas, Resident Services Director
Programming at Capstone Village, incorporates the following factors which are considered preventative
measures for dementia:
• No Smoking
• Healthy Food
• Healthy Weight
• Manage Medical Problems
• Physical Exercise
• Mental Alertness
• Socialization
Smoking is a risk factor for dementia as it is related to vascular issues including stroke. Strokes can cause
dementia. The University of Alabama is a smoke free campus. Smoking is discouraged. Very few
residents are active smokers .The Wellness Center and Resident Services have community and
University resources to direct residents to, who desire to reduce or quit smoking.
Access to healthy food is also considered vital in the prevention of dementia. Capstone Village provides
well balanced meals in our kitchen and served in a social atmosphere of Rast Dining. The Chef works
with a dietician to review the menus and offer healthy choices. All residents in Independent living are
offered a three course meal daily in our dining room. Our kitchens provide three meals daily to our
health care residents.
Both Resident Services and the Wellness Center work with residents to encourage them to maintain a
healthy weight. Both directors consult with the residents as to dietary choices, and exercise choices that
will affect their weight in the long and short run. In the past, residents and staff have both participated
in the State of Alabama weight loss program: SCALEBACK ALABAMA.
The management of medical problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are
considered by the medical community to be vital to managing health to prevent dementia. The Wellness
Center works with residents and resident families to manage medical problems. A resident may engage
the Wellness Center staff to educate them about their medical conditions and how to manage them.
The Wellness Staff are involved in medication management to help the residents, their care givers and
families manage medication. This can include the Wellness Director talking with doctors, arranging for
medication ordering and review, helping the resident to recognize symptoms and side effects. The

2. Wellness Director also receives reports from Home Health Care about the status of our residents
receiving care. The Wellness Center at Capstone Village offers a Wellness Clinic most afternoons. One
day a week, Doctors and/or Nurse Practitioners from the UA Medical Center hold a clinic. Additional
clinics specific to balance, hearing, etc. are held throughout the year. All these services and more are
offered to help residents manage their health and thus prevent dementia.
Medical transportation is offered to the residents of Capstone Village 5 days a week. This service is vital
to helping residents maintain their health and manage health problems. Access to medical care and
services is assured when transportation is managed. Until recently, Capstone Village also had a physical
therapy program available in-house.
Physical exercise is considered to be a major factor in the prevention of dementia. Through Resident
Services, seven in-house exercise programs are offered on a weekly basis including: Strength Training,
Village Movers, Get Up and Go, Line Dance, Rhythmic Walking, and Bosu Balance( information sheets on
6 programs are available upon request). Both Rhythmic Walking and Bosu Balance are balance exercise
programs unique to Capstone Village. Resident Services also offers in-house walking programs at least
twice a year. These programs utilize “smart pedometers” so that the staff can download the steps, the
minutes of activity, and the mileage. Periodic offerings also include: the President’s Active Lifestyle
Award program. The Activity Room houses an elliptical, two reclining bikes, and a Schwinn Air Dyne Bike
for independent exercise users. Resident Services offers additional activities as opportunities for
physical exercise including the community dance parties such as the Crimson Kickoff and excursions to
the Riverwalk. This month Capstone Village is also participating in a guided walk at the UA Arboretum.
Capstone Village also sponsors our more active residents for membership in the UA Student Recreation
Center, located across the street from Capstone Village. Approximately 25 residents are currently
enrolled as Capstone Village members of the Recreation Center. In order to maintain their
memberships, they are required to use the center at least twice a week. Some residents use the walking
track, while other concentrates on the cardio and strength training equipment. A number of residents
take classes including Water Aerobics, Pilates Reformer ($), and Personal Training ($). The ($) signifies
that these activities require a cash outlay by the resident for this additional service.
Activities involving mental alertness are considered preventative action for dementia. Capstone Village
offers lectures and speakers throughout the year as an opportunity for learning something new. For
example, Dr. Diehl is currently presenting a course on archeology on Wednesday nights. Participation in
Bridge and other card games are also encourage. Resident Services works with student group, The
Bridge, to put students and residents together to play bridge. Many residents participate in their own
bridge groups at Capstone Village and in the community. At least once a month, Capstone Village hosts a
live interactive video conference with the Smithsonian Art Museum. Craft workshops are also offer the
change to try and learn something new. Transportation is provided to many of the University lectures.
Capstone Village has a strong relationship with OLLI, Osher Life Long Learning Institute for mature
learners at UA. This ongoing educational program offers courses throughout the year. Currently,
Beginner Bridge and Tai Chi are offered on site at Capstone Village. Resident Services is providing
transportation four days a week to OLLI Courses at the Bryant Conference Center on the UA Campus.

3. Residents also have an opportunity to choose to participate in UA sponsored research activities, which
usually provide a unique experience and often involve learning. Access to music, drama, dance and
other activities are provided through the calendar- both in-house, at the university, and in the
community (See Season Ticket Fair spreadsheet).
Almost every activity at Capstone Village is geared toward inclusion of socialization. Seniors, who are
engaged socially, remain more active, more independent and live longer with fewer supports according
to the research. Thus religious activities such as church and bible study are offered in part for their
socialization. Group events such as the Mardi Gras Party, Mid-Winter Dance, Crimson Kickoff, etc. are
offering to bring residents together and create a sense of community. Many activities are developed so
that the individuals who participate develop a group identity.
Involvement of Student Groups is vital to increasing socialization in stable group of older adults. In the
injection of young people and/or “new young people” into an activity or event initiates conversation and
learning about each other. Students are fantastic social initiators and are” tooled” to stimulate
conversation and socialization. Capstone Village incorporates student group sponsors of activities such
as the Sigma Delta Tau Sorority of the Bingo. We also utilize the UA Center for Leadership and Service
for student volunteers as recently as August 31st
from the Crimson Kickoff Dance Party. Residents
Services usually has programed a student group into the calendar at often as once a week.
Volunteering can also be a social and community bonding activity. Resident Services offers multiple
opportunities over the year to volunteer. Some are loosely organized and others very structured,
requiring group and hands on participation. During September, the residents will be donating and
collecting items for Pack-A Purse for inmate mothers returning to the community. As with other
volunteer activities, the opportunity for socialization is planned during the storing, sorting, and
compiling of the Purses. Other scheduled volunteer activities include: Fleece tied blankets for
Tuscaloosa One Place, a women’s shelter and service center, Soup for Caring Days, where the residents
make and sell soup to raise money for the local Alzheimer day Care Center.
Intergenerational programming involving seniors and young children is also mentally and socially
stimulating. Capstone Village currently sponsors a Music and Me program bi-monthly with the Center
for Development and Research Center, located one building over from Capstone Village. This program
involves the seniors and toddlers in a music based activity program. Several times a year, the 3 and 4
year olds arrive for a holiday party event and interact with the residents.
Capstone Village, through Resident Services, the Wellness Center, Dining, and throughout the facility try
to incorporate healthy living, socialization, physical exercise and activities for mental alertness through
opportunity and choices provided to the resident for adult activities with purpose and intent at the
facility, the University, and in the local community. These opportunities are provided with a sense of
inclusion and belonging as we strive to create and grow a sense of community between old and new
residents, and resident and staff.