
By Michael Ciamarra
Kevrick, a 70-year old former Marine who had once been a guard at an American
Embassy, was experiencing symptoms of memory loss and confusion associated
with the early onset of Alzheimer’s. He also had vision problems and
needed to learn a whole range of new skills in a low-vision/blind rehabilitation
program.
“I never learned to play chess and really had no interest,”
he said. “If learning a new activity like chess can postpone mental
decline and possibly improve the health of my brain – why not!”
Kevrick not only learned to play chess but also became an enthusiastic ambassador
for the game sharing his new found passion with other seniors. Most importantly,
the former Marine genuinely believes it has made a difference in his life
by keeping his brain active and vibrant. With modest exercise, a healthier
diet and keeping his brain strong by mental workouts through chess, Kevrick
has slowed down considerably the onset of Alzheimer’s. “All
it took was someone who had patience to teach me the game and believe that
I could do it,” Kevrick said.
Studies have shown that older adults with hobbies that actively engage
their brains are two-times less likely to contract Alzheimer’s. A
recent study also concluded how brain training exercises for older adults
can have benefits lasting for decades.

Comparison of a normal aged brain and one of
a person with Alzheimer's [Wiki]
While Alzheimer’s is progressive and fatal, robbing one of their
memories and has no known cure, there are plenty of strategies to prevent
and defend against Alzheimer’s. You can do something about this health
challenge and create a memorable, unique recreational experience for an
elderly adult.
Playing mind sports can slow and even reverse declines in brain functions
that are associated with aging, according to a variety of scientific studies.
I have written about my observations on coaching older adults, their improved
cognitive performance through ‘mind sports’ and the breakthroughs
of science in studying critical mental function for healthy brain aging.
Brain training results can last for years.
Classic games are valuable brain exercises.
You may be a caregiver, a family member, a friend, or someone who is just
a chess player, checker player, Bridge enthusiast or any other of the mind
sports and wish to share your enthusiasm of your favorite game with an older
adult. You don’t have to be an expert or even an experienced teacher.
Know the basic rules, have a standard, regulation playing set or two (or
standard deck of cards) and a passion for the game you wish to share with
an older adult or older relative. Connecting with the person you wish to
teach is that easy.
Quick tips on teaching
Here are a few tips for teaching mind sports to older adults:
1. Variety. At the beginning of your first lesson show
the person a couple of different chess sets (or different checkers sets
– whatever the mind sport game happens to be). A variety of sizes,
shapes and colors will always grab their interest. Ask the individual what
set works best for them. They will appreciate the consideration and will
tell you exactly which one works for them.
2. Keep language and concepts concise. Resist using a
particular mind sport’s technical 'language’. Explain the rules
in the simplest way so the essentials of the game are readily grasped. For
example, your first lesson teaching chess you don’t attempt to teach
all the movements of the chessmen (8 pieces and 8 pawns). Show how the pawns
move only and play a short game with just pawns on the board. The next few
lessons demonstrate how the other pieces move and introduce them one by
one. Don’t overload your lessons with too much information.
3. History and colorful characters of the game. Chess
and the other mind sport games have interesting histories and unique personalities.
Share some of this background with your ‘student.’ In addition
to being a valuable recreation therapy, mind sports, such as chess, have
an amazing history that has captivated and enchanted people for centuries.

"Chess-Players" by Honoré
Daumier, 1867 [source: Wikipaintings]
4. Schedule in advance. Older adults need time to schedule
around doctor appointments, social, family and church events. They also
need to arrange transportation if they are coming to visit you or meeting
you at a library or senior center. Try to be consistent in dates and times
scheduling your lessons.
5. Make it comfortable. Make sure there are no physical
barriers or uncomfortable tables, chairs, or bad lighting at the site where
you wish to teach your ‘student.’
6. Handouts are helpful. Leave them with a simple, easy-to-follow
handout with some details so they can read after the lesson. Your handout
can be photocopied from a book or downloaded from an online curriculum.
Ideally, your handout should cover the material you just went over.
Provide additional resources: Do you have an extra chess or Bridge book
you can leave? Do you know of a senior group that plays bridge, checkers,
backgammon or any of the other mind sports? After they learn the basic rules,
ask your ‘student’ would they be interested in playing practice
games online or play other age-compatible players?
Personally, I prefer when older adult can socialize with their playing
partners and friends before and after the game. In a study of older people,
researchers found a relationship “between more frequent social activity
and better cognitive function,” according to the National Institute
on Aging.
7. Cheerful repetition and follow up. Smiles, compassion,
and inexhaustible patience go a long way. Don’t ask, “Do You
Remember?” Asking this will cause frustration. Play practice, fun
games. Review the rules often. Celebrate successes with them when they have
learned those basics. A win, a loss, or a draw – results don’t
matter. Remember, the play of these games is to strengthen cognitive performance
and to make for a memorable recreational experience.

Your author Michael Ciamarra supervising a
chess game

Kevrick demonstrated the checkmate he just
played and very proudly showed
how he accomplished this to his chess teacher.
Learning chess or any of the mind sports is an excellent way to slow the
progression of Alzheimer's. Just as physical activity strengthens the heart,
muscles and bones, so intellectual activity – mind sports –
helps guard the brain against decline. Healthier brain cells are better
able to control or slow Alzheimer's.
Share your joy of mind sports – whatever one you are interested in.
Teaching a mind sport to an older adult is a most gratifying reward all
unto itself.
Source: All
Alabama
Michael Ciamarra is a World Chess Federation (FIDE) certified Chess
Instructor and a US Chess Federation certified Advanced Chess Coach.
He is a member of the American Checker Federation. He coaches mind
sports (chess, checkers, etc) to older veterans, and blind and low-vision
veterans at the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center. He speaks
to senior groups about the value of Mind Sports as a way to improve
cognitive performance and teaches chess and Mind Sports to older adults.
He can reached through alabamachess at gmail.com. |
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Addendum
We received two quick feedback messages we would like to share with you:
-
Al Jablan from Sault Ste. Marie wrote: "I would
like to add another idea. I was absolutely astounded to learn that ping
pong also improved cognitive function and delays the onset of dementia.
So my recipe now for a long and meaningful life is pingpong + chess
+ exercise + mediterranean diet. I expected that chess would benefit
the brain and pingpong the muscles and coordination and heart and lung,
but I never would have guessed that it also benefits the brain.
So I have a project to teach all seniors to play pingpong and chess.
Another amazing thing is that chess and pingpong are the only two sports
or activities that may be enjoyed together by a 95 and a five-year-old!
The only difference is that it takes five minutes for a five year old
to catch on but more like five hours for a nonagenarian. Or fifty?"
-
Philippe Dornbusch of Paris (France) writes: I translated
this amazing article – here's
the link." What a marvellous service for our French readers,
Philippe!