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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shirley Freyer
Concordia Lutheran Ministries
Tel: 1-724-352-1571 x8266
sfreyer@concordialm.org

Concordia Receives Highmark Grant to Support Mental Fitness

Cabot, PA – Concordia Lutheran Ministries has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to support the “Mental Fitness” of its residents and the surrounding community. 

Recent research has shown that 22% of those age 71 or older show clinical signs of mild cognitive impairment.  Through routine mental exercise, people can take an active role in exercising mental sharpness.      

Through this grant, five large touch-screen computers with Mindfit software will be placed throughout Concordia’s Cabot campus to encourage and promote the benefits of exercising the mind and keeping mentally fit. 

“Being healthy requires more than eating well and exercising, especially for seniors,” said Mary Anne Papale, director of community affairs at Highmark. “Inactive seniors are more likely to suffer from conditions, such as depression and dementia and we believe that Concordia Lutheran Ministries’ efforts to stimulate the minds of their community members will ultimately help them to live longer, fuller, healthier lives.”

A display of the new equipment will be featured on July 26 during Concordia’s Annual Summer Festival from noon until 6 p.m., sponsored by Highmark.  

President and CEO Keith Frndak expressed his gratitude; “I have read that mental fitness protects you from the effects of age related cognitive decline and from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  This is an important step in continuing to provide our community with opportunities for total care and enhanced quality of life.”

For more information on community mental fitness programs, contact Director of Adult Day Services Paula Sypulski at 724.352.1571, ext.8271 or adultdayservices@concordialm.org.