Local experts say it is entirely possible, and the evidence supports their claims.
“Staying mentally active throughout life is important,” said Michael Ciamarra, a certified chess instructor and coach. “As the saying goes, ‘Use it or lose it.’”
“Chess is a particularly good brain builder, and it’s a fairly easy game to learn,” he said. “It takes a little practice, but you can play it quickly, and the possibilities of play are endless. But based on my experiences and observations, any game that is challenging and stimulates the brain will be beneficial to an older adult.”
To help his senior students gain the most from their play, Ciamarra often assigns problem-solving exercises that display the full range of a particular chess piece. He then challenges the players to use their imaginations and hone their ability to think ahead.
“Sometimes they can solve quickly, and sometimes they can’t,” he said. “The point is to activate their brains and exercise their brains like going to a gym to exercise their bodies.”
Ciamarra cited a study published this past summer by the American Academy of Neurology that found a correlation between keeping the brain active and reducing the chances of developing dementia.
And chess is not the only way to stimulate our gray matter. Joe Meadows, director of Chandler Health & Rehab Center in Alabaster, has also seen firsthand how creative stimulation can benefit those struggling with brain-related issues through a relatively new program called Music & Memory. Developed in 2006 by New Yorker Dan Cohen, Music & Memory seeks to provide iPods with personalized playlists to nursing home residents, allowing them to enjoy their favorite tunes, particularly the kind of music they listened to in their younger years.
Meadows said that the reaction of patients involved in the program at his Alabaster facility has been nothing short of miraculous.
“They light up when they hear ‘their’ music,” he said. “They come to life. Music, I’ve learned from this program, stimulates the entire brain, not just part of it, like some activities do.”
One 50-something patient, a relatively young woman compared to most nursing home residents, was struggling with a depression so deep, her ability to function was all but non-existent. Then she received one of the Music & Memory iPods loaded with a playlist tailored to her generation.
“We put on her music, and she sat up in bed and sang along, every word,” Meadows said. “It was unbelievable.”
Another resident had a problem with over-activity.
“She couldn’t stay still, so she was constantly moving,” Meadows said. “But the minute they put on her music, she didn’t move a muscle as long as it played. It’s amazing how it helps with behavior. All you have to do is put the music on, and the response you get is incredible.”
In addition to the music program, Chandler offers art therapy sessions twice a week and hosts a discussion group that encourages residents to share their memories with one another. Those sessions, called “Reminisce,” not only prompt residents to activate their memories, they also help the residents interact and get to know one another.
“One of our residents landed at Normandy, and another was one of the last people out of Cuba after Fidel Castro took over,” Meadows said. “But nobody knew that because nobody had ever thought to ask them about their background.”
