A free weekly program for older adults looking to sharpen memory and focus kicked off Thursday, Sept. 10, at the South Salt Lake Senior Center, about four miles from Millcreek.

StrongerMemory, run through Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services, uses daily reading, writing and basic math exercises to stimulate the prefrontal cortex, the brain region tied to memory retrieval. According to the Millcreek Journal event listing, the program meets Thursdays through Nov. 12 from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at 2531 S. 400 E., Salt Lake City. It is free for anyone 60 and older.

The program was created by Goodwin Living, a Virginia-based senior care organization. President and CEO Rob Liebreich developed it after his mother, Wendy, began experiencing mild cognitive impairment. The first pilot launched in 2021.

"When people have a diagnosis of brain health issues or cognitive decline, there's very little hope in that diagnosis," Liebreich said in a November 2025 article on the Goodwin Living website. "What we've experienced with StrongerMemory … is that for the first time, they feel like they can do something."

A peer-reviewed 2025 study by researchers at George Mason University and James Madison University tracked 102 adults aged 59 and older through a 12-week version of the program. Participants showed statistically significant improvement on a standard cognitive screening test, with recall scores rising from 12.73 to 13.26.

The Alzheimer's Association estimates roughly 12% to 18% of people 60 and older live with mild cognitive impairment. The program is open to people with that diagnosis and to those who simply want to maintain brain health as they age.

Participants practice three activities for about 30 minutes a day: 10 minutes of reading aloud, 10 minutes of writing by hand and 10 minutes of simple math problems. The exercises can be done at home between weekly sessions.

StrongerMemory is funded by the Goodwin Living Foundation and has expanded to 44 states and three countries since its 2021 pilot.

Millcreek-area residents can register or get more information by calling Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services at 385-468-3340.