Brain drain? Not for these seniors.
It’s a no-brainer that the risk of cognitive decline increases as we get older, with about half of Americans expected to start experiencing worsening memory or thinking skills after age 55.
So residents at The Bristal at York Avenue, a luxury assisted living community on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, are keeping their noggins in tip-top shape with BrainFit, a first-of-its-kind brain workout system.
The BrainFit gym uses gamified, arcade-style targets to train things like memory, coordination and decision-making.
Think “Dance Dance Revolution,” but instead of keeping rhythm with your feet, a giant wall with flashing LED lights uses pattern recognition, reaction time, hand-eye coordination and agility to hit illuminated targets.
Using drumstick-like controllers, participants can play various games that focus on memory matching, pattern recognition, sequencing activities, balance and agility exercises, dual-tasking challenges and even team competitions.
For Richard Stapen, a Bristal resident who was the first to use the technology, the sleek machine simply looked like a fun way to scratch a nostalgic itch while also playing to his competitive side.
“I’m an athletic person, and I used to play the drums,” the 78-year-old told The Post. “It just brings me back to my high school days.”
Since the machine was installed six months ago, Stapen has been playing twice a week for around 30 minutes a session. He likes that it “enhances memory,” which “plays a very big part in using the machine.”
But… is it working?
“I think I’m a little sharper,” he said. “It’s hard to really judge, but I know I enjoy it more than when I first started to use it and I’m certainly no worse off.”
Stapen’s certainly not the only resident who’s gotten a kick out of the game.
Mary-Ann Caws was drawn to the program to improve her strength and reflexes, but ended up getting a lot more out of it.
“It’s a fun way to do both,” the 93-year-old told The Post. “You forget that it’s actually helping you because the games are so fun, it doesn’t feel like exercise.”
She currently participates in BrainFit sessions once a month, but is eager to up her participation, citing a strong sense of accomplishment after each session.
“It can be quite addictive,” she added. “It’s hard to stop once you get going.”
Participants can increase the intensity with weights, as well as choose to stand, sit or even use the system with mobility aids like a walker.
Powered by SMARTfit cognitive wellness technology for interactive training, BrainFit utilizes both the brain and the body.
“This is important because physical exercise is one of the best documented ways to improve cognitive abilities in older adults,” Dr. Rob Winningham, who has helped design and consult on specialized BrainFit Gyms in senior living facilities, told The Post.
One of the biggest benefits, though, comes from dual tasking, which is simultaneously engaging in cognitive and physical activity.
In other words, if you can walk the walk, but not walk and talk, it could be a sign of declining brain health, according to Winningham.
“Dual tasking might be the most effective way to help older adults experiencing earlier stages of cognitive impairment experience meaningful improvements to their cognitive, memory abilities and overall quality of life,” he explained.
And engaging in cognitive and physical exercise two to three times a week for 30 minutes at a time triggers the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that aids in forming new memories and performing daily tasks independently.
While BrainFit can improve brain function for people of all ages, it may not have the same effect for those with mid- to late-stage dementia.
Still, Winningham explains that it could improve mobility and reduce falls — a risk that increases in those with cognitive decline.
SMARTfit’s dual-task training has also been shown to enhance executive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the stage between normal aging and dementia.
“Research shows that people living with MCI can experience significant improvements in the ability to pay attention and make new memories if they engage in programming like that found in The Bristal’s BrainFit Gym,” he said.
Though he also regularly goes for walks and attends lectures and other events The Bristal holds, Stapen hopes to use BrainFit more than his current twice-weekly schedule.
He’s also recommending the brain-boosting activity to his friends in the community, letting them know, “It can only help, and it’s a lot of fun.”
