Brain drain? Not for these seniors.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n So residents at the Bristal at York Avenue, a luxury assisted living community in Manhattan\u2019s Upper East Side, are keeping their noggins in tip-top shape with BrainFit<\/a>, a first-of-its-kind brain workout system.<\/p>\n BrainFit, a workout machine for the noggin, helps residents improve memory and thinking skills with arcade-style games. The Bristal Assisted Living<\/p>\n The BrainFit gym uses gamified, arcade-style targets to train memory, coordination and decision-making.<\/p>\n Think \u201cDance Dance Revolution,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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 playing to his competitive side.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m an athletic person, and I used to play the drums,\u201d the 78-year-old told The Post. \u201cIt just brings me back to my high school days.\u201d<\/p>\n Since the machine was installed six months ago, Stapen has been playing twice a week for about 30 minutes a session. He likes that it \u201cenhances memory,\u201d which \u201cplays a very big part in using the machine.\u201d<\/p>\n But \u2026 is it working?<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019m a little sharper,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to really judge, but I know I enjoy it more than when I first started to use it, and I\u2019m certainly no worse off.\u201d<\/p>\n Stapen is not the only resident who\u2019s gotten a kick out of the game.<\/p>\n Bristal resident Richard Stapen was one of the first to use the technology and has noticed a subtle difference in memory. The Bristal Assisted Living<\/p>\n Mary Ann Caws was drawn to the program to improve her strength and reflexes but ended up getting a lot more out of it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a fun way to do both,\u201d the 93-year-old told The Post. \u201cYou forget that it\u2019s actually helping you because the games are so fun, it doesn\u2019t feel like exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n She takes part in\u00a0BrainFit\u00a0sessions once a month but is eager to up her participation, citing a strong sense of accomplishment after each session.<\/p>\n \u201cIt can be quite addictive,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to stop once you get going.\u201d<\/p>\n Participants can increase the intensity with weights, as well as choose to stand, sit or even use the system with mobility aids such as a walker.<\/p>\n Powered by SMARTfit cognitive wellness technology for interactive training, BrainFit utilizes the brain and the body.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is important because physical exercise<\/a> is one of the best documented ways to improve cognitive abilities in older adults,\u201d Dr. Rob Winningham, who has helped design and consult on specialized\u00a0BrainFit gyms\u00a0in senior living facilities, told The Post.<\/p>\n One of the biggest benefits, though, comes from dual tasking, which is simultaneously engaging in cognitive and physical activity.<\/p>\n One of the biggest benefits of BrainFit is from dual tasking, or simultaneously engaging in cognitive and physical activity. The Bristal Assisted Living<\/p>\n In other words, if you can walk the walk, but not walk and talk, it could be a sign of declining brain health<\/a>, according to Winningham.<\/p>\n \u201cDual 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,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>, a protein that aids in forming new memories and performing daily tasks independently.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Still, Winningham said it could improve mobility and reduce falls \u2014 a risk that increases<\/a> in those with cognitive decline.<\/p>\n