Senior Mind Games.

Brain performance can be restored by performing exercises aimed at increasing brain function. These exercises have been found useful while helping people who have suffered car accidents or other significant injuries. Now, this is being used to make senior citizens sharper. The brain is similar to any other muscle in the body in the sense that with simulation, growth and development of new nerve cells can develop. These exercises have no age requirement as the brain is always capable increasing neural function. Seniors that performed these exercises saw a reduction in the loss of gray matter, further development in new brain cells, strengthening of communication passageways, and increased blood flow. The key to these exercises is to constantly learn new skills that train their thinking processes. So, these exercises are not new technologies, per se, but they are new innovative methods aimed at increasing the overall health of senior citizens. One positive aspect brought out by these exercises which had a significant affect on the health of elders is improvements of the brain caused by laughter. It is extremely important to promote laughter in elderly communities due to its reduction of stress, which is known to shrink brain cells. In order for these exercises to have an affect, they have to be continually practiced because mental and physical stimulation increases the mobility of elders. I recently took a class called Occupational Therapy while at USC. Occupational Therapy is an extremely effective therapeutic method amongst elderly communities because the theory of the science states that if elders have structure and activities to do in their lives, it will positively affect their mood and health. Even something as simple as playing with blocks will increase elders mobility in their finger tips and spark creativity which will increase brain function. So, having taken the class, I am a firm believer that these exercises have a noticeable positive affect on overall health.