The sun greets a Viterbo student on a beautiful morning Oct. 23.

Area residents who have been diagnosed with mid-stage dementia are receiving help from two Viterbo University nursing students undertaking a number of initiatives as part of an independent study course on gerontology. One of these projects is the Brain and Body Fitness class offered through the Aging and Disability Resource Center of La Crosse County.

Leading the current class cohort are Viterbo students Hillary Covington and Emma Lamke. The class, which meets twice a week at the La Crosse Wellness Center, consists of an hour of light strength, balance, cardiovascular, and language components followed by a half hour of social time. It is designed to help participants build and maintain their cognitive reserve as long as possible. The 10-week course began in April of this year, and the current group is the fourth class.

“It’s exciting to see the participants thriving,” said Kelsey Flock, the dementia care specialist with the Aging and Disability Resource Center. “Several caregivers told me they didn’t think their person would come, but now they can’t wait to go. Emma and Hillary have done an excellent job. They are independent, have implemented their unique ideas, and the participants really like them.”