“Thanks to the passion of our teams, TBH has not only educated residents about brain health but also sparked purpose and connection in their daily lives. Together, we are proving that brain health programming can truly be life changing.”

Jayne Sallerson, President and COO, Charter Senior Living

Brain health is a top three health concern of older adults. More than ever, community residents expect you to offer enriched cognitive fitness programs that gives them the chance to stay sharp and connected and reflects a commitment to help them age with vibrance.

It stands to reason therefore that offering meaningful brain wellness training should be a “no brainer” for senior living companies. However, the challenge of launching a new initiative across multiple locations, each with their own strengths and challenges, can be daunting. What does it take to add cognitive training to your wellness programs in a way that is inclusive of your team, engages residents, and meets your goals for success?

Charter Senior Living’s recent brain fitness initiative is a case book study for how companies can bring better cognitive health to their communities. Their recent launch across 65 communities met with outstanding results. Survey results from over 300 residents showed that:

• 94% were overall satisfied with the TBH programs
• 87% said they increased their knowledge about brain health
• 95% discovered new opportunities to socialize and engage with their peers
• 86% tried new brain-healthy activities as a result of the program
• 100% expressed interest in continuing with another TBH course

Charter’s grand slam rollout has set a new standard here at TBH, and one we are proud to share as a best practices case study as you add cognitive fitness to your offerings.

What is the secret sauce to Charter’s success? Here are some of the steps that really made their launch shine.

Take Training Seriously

Charter made a clear commitment to making sure their team was prepared to lead the TBH courses, with an upfront goal of 100% TBH trainer certification within the first month of launch. Strategic decisions setting aside time for staff training, regular TBH support calls, as well as personalized support for team members who needed additional help. These steps underscored leadership’s seriousness about trainer preparation and helped them meet their training goals with great success. Leadership then took the extra step of collaborating with TBH to create a training manual for their team, simplifying team members’ access to support and program resources post-training.

Integration is Essential

A well-planned integration of the new brain health program into STRIVE, Charter’s existing wellness initiative, eased program adoption across the communities. Amber Dahle, Charter’s VP of Memory Care and Resident Programming, worked closely with TBH to create a company-wide TBH class schedule that seamlessly wove the program into STRIVE’S trimester plan, giving trainers clear directions for class promotion, scheduling and engaging residents. This uniform TBH timeline made it easier for trainers to focus on teaching and celebrating residents’ success. In addition, leadership introduced Total Brain Health to other departments, with high touch introductions to national and community level leadership, including marketing. As Dahle shared, “(T)ying TBH into our SPARK program has also been a highlight, allowing us to involve prospects, partner with marketing, and shine a spotlight on brain health and healthy aging.”

Lead the Way

Perhaps most critical to the success of Charter’s brain fitness initiative launch was leadership’s visible investment in the success of the TBH programs across their communities. Corporate wellness leaders guided their direct service team with a winning combination of high expectations and generous support. This ensured team members understood both the high organizational value of the program and their access to resources they needed to meet those goals, including ready assistance from leadership, TBH, as well as experienced peers when needed. Leadership’s commitment showed in ways that were both overt, such as the dedication of time and resources to the new program, as well as more subtly, for example completing the trainer certificate training along with their team. As a result, team members were well prepared and enthusiastic as they engaged residents in the program, sharing feedback such as “(I)t has been a fantastic class – they can’t wait for the next one!”

Celebrate Success

Charter’s best practices model is completed by their emphasis on celebrating the success of the TBH programs to residents, trainers, families and the greater community. The highly social, interactive nature of the TBH programs provided wonderful opportunities to showcase these new, fun engagement workouts using social media, with many communities posting detailed descriptions and photographs visible to residents, families, the TBH audience, and other followers. Results of student surveys were shared with all team members and corporate leadership, resulting in even greater buy-in and enthusiasm for the new program. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, residents celebrated their own personal successes, sharing feedback such as “(T)his class has given me hope, the sense to move forward in my life.”

For more information on the Total Brain Health programs to support brain wellness with guided, group-based holistic training for older adults, contact us at info@totalbrainhealth.com. 

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 Engage everyone with these quick-thinking cognitive workouts!

December marks the senior living season of chock-filled calendars, bringing joy but perhaps a bit of frantic overload to all of us working to make the holidays happy and engaging for our residents. Some holiday traditions may not make our healthiest choice list (egg nog or holiday cookies, anyone?). However, there are many that offer us a great way to engage residents in workouts that support better cognitive performance, with intellectual stimulation, social connection, and opportunities to boost everyone’s spirits. 

Here are 3 innovative, brain boosting workouts you can easily fit into the calendar to help make this holiday season more memory-able for all – happy holidays from our TBH team to yours!

Compliments Claus

This no-prep, fast social workout is sure to boost everyone’s spirits, as well as their speedy thinking, nimbleness, and verbal skills.

• Have students break into pairs. 

• Have them take 1 minute each complimenting their partner on one thing, such as their smile, their holiday sweater, etc. 

• When time is up, have students switch to new partners and repeat the workout. 

• Continue until students have all partnered with each other or time is up. 

Winter Wonders

Nourish those neurons with this fun, creative group poetry workout – perfect to share with family and the greater community once you are done! Trains attention, speedy thinking, nimbleness, verbal skills, memory, and executive control.

• Write one of the Winter Wonders poetry prompts on a white board or flip chart.

• Have students take turns adding a line, word, or motion to the poem. 

• Keep going until your group agrees the poem is completed.

• Have fun reciting your Winter Wonders poem together!

• If time allows, use additional prompts to create more Winter Wonders poems.

Winter Wonders Poetry Prompts

The cardinal, so red against the falling snow …

A path appeared across the snowy field, leading …

The pine-scented boughs lined the …

The holiday lights glimmered across the …

Holiday Ho-Ho-Hos

Offer a bit of respite from the holiday high jinks with a break for some deep breathing and relaxation. Great for boosting perception, attention, coordination and emotional balance.

• Have students sit comfortably, with their feet on the floor and hands resting in their laps. Invite them to close their eyes.

• Invite students to take several deep breaths, slowing the rhythm of their breathing with each breath.

• After a few rounds, invite students to add to their breathing by gently verbalizing “ho-ho-ho” as they exhale. 

• Do this for a few minutes together.

• Option to continue with additional verbal prompts as they exhale, such as “he-he-he” and “ha-ha-ha.” You can alternate between the verbal prompts for each exhale round as well. 

• Continue for as long as time allows. If desired, check in on how folks feel before and after the deep breathing workout to encourage them to continue using it on their own as a way to de-stress during the holiday season.

For more information on the Total Brain Health programs to support brain wellness with guided, group-based holistic training for older adults, contact us at info@totalbrainhealth.com. 

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Can Social-Based Brain Training Help Residents with Brain Fog?

 We all know the struggle: a resident expresses frustration about forgetfulness and a lack of mental clarity. They describe it as “brain fog” – that pesky feeling of muddled thinking and difficulty focusing. As activity leaders, we can offer solutions! New research suggests that brain training programs that incorporate social interaction might be just the tool to sharpen residents’ cognitive edge.

Brain Fog: Beyond a Senior Moment

Brain fog isn’t a specific diagnosis, but a collection of symptoms like forgetfulness, confusion, and concentration issues. It can be caused by various factors like stress, sleep deprivation, or even dehydration. While these “senior moments” are common, they can be a source of frustration for residents.

The Power of Social Connections

Here’s the exciting part: studies show staying socially connected significantly improves cognitive function and even reduces the risk of dementia. Research has found that social interaction stimulates the brain in unique ways compared to solo activities. This social stimulation strengthens existing neural pathways and creates new ones, leading to sharper thinking and improved memory.

Social-Based Brain Training: More Than Puzzles

Many brain training programs exist, but some stand out for their social focus. Consider TBH (Total Brain Health) classes as an example. These classes move beyond brain teasers and memory games. They create a space for residents to learn and socialize together. This social interaction is key – it provides cognitive stimulation while combating loneliness, a major risk factor for cognitive decline.

The Benefits of Experiential Learning

TBH classes are also experiential, meaning residents actively engage in the learning process. This hands-on approach makes learning fun and engaging, and research shows it improves information retention.

Empowering Residents with Memory Strategies

TBH classes go beyond just brain stimulation. They also teach practical memory strategies to help residents manage everyday forgetfulness. From organization tips to mnemonic devices, these strategies empower residents to manage their brain health and reduce those frustrating “senior moments.”

Building a Strong Brain Training Program

When designing or selecting a brain training program for your community, consider these key points:

• Science-backed: Is the program based on research and proven to improve cognitive function?

• Social Interaction: Does it encourage interaction and connection with others?

• Educational Empowerment: Does it teach residents strategies to manage their brain health outside of class?

• Experiential Learning: Is it hands-on and engaging, or just passive learning?

By prioritizing these aspects, you can create a program that combats brain fog, fosters social connection, empowers residents, and makes learning a joy!

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Amp Up Attendance For Your Brain Health Classes | Do Chat GPT and I agree?

BY CYNTHIA R. GREEN, PH.D.

You know your active elders are keen to learn how they can keep their thinking sharp and brains healthy. Yet sometimes those brain health classes may not feel so popular, or you may worry that attendance may be waning. What can you do to amp up attendance and make sure your brain health programs thrive?

As an expert in the field, I certainly have lots of advice on this topic. But, I was curious – what would Chat GPT say you should do?

So, I asked CHAT GPT for some tips to boost attendance for a brain health program – and was pleasantly surprised to see that when it comes to the ways you can entice and engage folks in meaningful cognitive training, we share the same point-of-view.

Ready for the top 4 ways CHAT GPT and I say you can get your customers to turn out for brain health?

1. Know your customer. Find out what your residents or members really want to get out of a brain health program. Do they want to preserve quick and nimble thinking? Remember things better? Or are they primarily interested in how they can stave off cognitive decline? Then, make sure the program you offer is what they are interested in learning. A good content partner should offer you a selection of topics to choose from so you can best meet what your folks want to learn about. (Our TBH programs do).

CHAT GPT adds that you should then develop marketing materials that reflects their interest. Try flyers, posters, articles, and portal or social media posts. Just make sure that your marketing materials are responsive and show that you’ve listened to what they want and are making that happen. (These are including with our program packages).

2. Make the invitation personal. Who wants to feel like a number or cog in the wheel? Certainly not an AI program! CHAT GPT highlights the importance of personalizing invitations to your program. I couldn’t agree more. Take the time to personally invite folks to join your class. Be sure to point out the benefits of the program and how it can help them reach their own wellness goals. Next, invite them to talk up the program in their social circles and to bring friends to class. CHAT GPT suggests a referral incentive program, where folks are rewarded for bringing someone new to the classes (that could be fun!). And don’t forget the power of their own words – Invite folks to share stories about the program and why they love it at other classes or community events. Even a machine knows the power of the personal testimonial.

3. Make sure it’s worth their while. CHAT GPT’s 3^rd tip? Make sure the class content is engaging and interactive. Again, I could not agree more – in fact, that is the only way we

do things here at Total Brain Health! After all, if something isn’t engaging, meaningful, and fun, why would any of us want to attend? In addition to making sure the program is enjoyable, CHAT GPT suggests you focus on material that is practical and applicable to everyday life, with takeaways students can use to continue learning on their own. Happily, that advice is an easy fit for TBH, since all our training is designed to give folks practical, sustainable ways they can sharpen their thinking, rev up their recall, and reduce cognitive loss. And each of our classes comes with handouts and more so folks can continue learning on their own.

4. Make sure they feel welcomed. Folks will attend classes where they feel respected, included, and valued. Part of that equation is to ensure that students always find a welcoming class environment that adapts to their interests and needs, and that is empowering and connecting. As CHAT GPT concludes, “remember it is crucial to maintain a welcoming and inclusive environment where older adults feel comfortable and supported. Building trust and rapport with potential attendees can further boost attendance as they recognize the value of the brain health class and the positive impact it can have on their lives.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

I know that these strategies are surefire, proven ways you can make sure your brain health classes are among the most popular listings on your community calendar. Isn’t it nice to see that CHAT GPT agrees?

President and founder of Total Brain Health, Cynthia R. Green, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, author and nationally recognized expert on memory fitness and brain health.

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Early Memory Loss: Why Cognitive Wellness Training Can Help

A colleague recently shared their concern over Miss K., a vibrant woman who seemed to experience a real dip in her memory over the past few months. “She is forgetting details she ordinarily would get,” she said, “and I can tell that it’s keeping her from engaging and getting together with her pals.”

As we age, our risk for changes in memory ability increases significantly, especially for those over age 85. While such changes are not inevitable, and do not necessarily progress, they can be frustrating and even frightening for folks experiencing them. As professionals and caregivers, our desire to find solutions to meet the changing needs of our community members in a way that can help to stave off further decline can be challenging. This is particularly true when we consider the need to do so on a scalable basis.

The good news is research shows there are a number of ways we can efficiently and effectively support those with mild cognitive loss through cognitive wellness training in a group setting. Options for helping everyone live as fully and meaningfully as possible include:

Skills Training. Individuals with early memory changes can benefit from cognitive training targeting skills such as attention, short-term memory, processing speed and executive functions. In one recent study, 145 individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) significantly improved on measures of attention and memory after several group cognitive skills training sessions. In-person small group programs are preferable for this population, who can benefit tremendously from the additional intellectual stimulation of working together with peers, rather than alone on a computer or smartphone.

Lifestyle Intervention Training. Those with mild cognitive loss can respond well to modifications of lifestyle factors. Making positive changes in areas such as sleep, medications, and emotional health can significantly impact and support cognition, including attention and memory. Cognitive wellness programs combined with personal coaching can empower residents to take better care of their brain health, and encourage them to engage in wellness offerings that target their specific health concerns. Consider a person-centric approach as a way to make sure individuals are motivated and provided the tools to achieve their wellness goals on their own as well as with support.

Social Support. One of the best interventions for early stage cognitive loss is continued or improved socialization. Social engagement is a known buffer for emotional distress, isolation and loneliness. Less recognized, however, is the critical impact socializing has on cognitive skills. Even informal conversations in the lobby provide a meaningful opportunity to “work out” a myriad of thinking skills including attention, verbal functions, memory, and executive control. It is no wonder that many frail older adults experienced a dip in cognitive abilities during the recent months of lockdown. While this may be due to multiple factors, certainly the loss of contact and socialization played a role in the widespread changes seen.

While cognitive wellness interventions may not arrest the progression of cognitive decline, in many cases early stage interventions can positively impact an individual’s experience, engagement and quality of life in ways that can be quite meaningful. Positive group experiences, moreover, have been shown to bolster mental well-being as well as contribute to overall skills learning. If serving those with transitional cognitive loss is a priority in your community, I suggest looking for ways to integrate these interventions to provide folks with every opportunity to thrive and live well.

President and founder of Total Brain Health, Cynthia R. Green, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, author and nationally recognized expert on memory fitness and brain health.

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Do We Have a Moral Obligation to Provide Brain Wellness Training?

 Following an extensive review of the data, the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care challenged the medical community and society with the following conclusion:

“…(G)iving people information about how to prevent or treat dementia is an essential first step but is not enough. There is a responsibility, not just as professionals but as a society, to implement this evidence into interventions that are widely and effectively used… Interventions have to be accessible, sustainable, and, if possible, enjoyable or they will be unused.”

As a longstanding expert in brain health, I believe we have a moral obligation to empower everyone to take charge of their cognitive wellness. In the history of healthcare there are turning points when we shift from suggestion to prescription – think, for example, about vaccinations or heart health promotion. A myriad of factors indicate that we have reached such a point, and that it is time to take a more proactive approach to brain health. The Lancet Commission statement is a very welcome invitation to move brain health to the forefront of our health promotion initiatives, for many reasons, among them:

The Science is There. Over the past three decades, we have experienced rapid-fire growth in our scientific knowledge about dementia prevention. We have evidence from large, well-designed observational and interventional studies that lifestyle behaviors can significantly impact our dementia risk. As the Lancet Commission found, these behaviors range from ones that must be implemented on both a societal level, such as childhood education and social isolation in older age, to personal behavior, such as physical activity and managing hearing loss. The time is ripe for interventions that engage us in brain healthy lifestyles and promote the full range of what keeps our minds sharp and reduces our risk for serious memory loss.

In addition, we are beginning to see more evidence that specific lifestyle interventions, such as physical exercise and meditation, may slow decline in those diagnosed with memory disorders. Leaders in the field, such as Dr. Ronald Petersen, have in fact recently suggested physical activity be prescribed to those with early memory loss.

Recent small studies even suggest that targeted training may even improve cognitive performance in individuals with early memory loss. While the evidence may be early, the potential benefits for most of these interventions, which are often wellness-based and economical, seem to outweigh any inherent risk.

Dementia is a Crisis We Can’t Ignore. Dementia is a worldwide societal crisis. On a global basis, over 45 million people carry a diagnosis of dementia, and the World Health Organization has declared dementia a public health priority. However, the impact is not only medical: The 2015 World Alzheimer’s Report concluded that the worldwide economic drag of the disease is so high that if dementia care were a country, it would be the 18th largest economy in the world. With so many at risk, we can no longer afford to be passive or hesitant in our approach to reducing risk or providing better care to those affected by memory loss.

In addition, dementia is a personal crisis for far too many. It is a devastating disease, not only for the affected individual but for their family, friends and community. Giving relief in any degree that may slow decline, support a better quality of life and help all affected is a morally compelling reason to re-envision and retool what we do in brain wellness across the cognitive continuum.

We Have the Tools to do Better. It is time for the healthcare field to rethink what we do to promote better brain health. As the Lancet Commission researchers note, “giving people information simply is no longer enough.” We must move beyond white papers to meaningful, robust programs that empower people to take better care of their brains. We have the tools to develop innovative, out-of-the-box methods that provide the means to lower risk, improve performance, and live better in the face of disease. Methodologies such as gamification, social-based brain training and experiential learning all offer new and exciting ways to fully engage in all the science shows we need to do to promote cognitive fitness. In memory care, we should continue to explore new pathways towards equal opportunity for cognitive engagement and meaningful, vibrant connections across the cognitive continuum, breaking down the barriers modeled on medical constructs, and taking advantage of technological advances to manage concerns around safety and care. Finally, whatever else, we need to make brain health fun – not childish, not over-simplified, but engaging, challenging, compelling and exciting. 

We are at the point in the history of brain health where we have the evidence and need, both professionally and as a society, to empower everyone to take better care of our brains. The moral burden is on us to act – the only question is how we will rise to the challenge.

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3 Unexpected Benefits of your Brain Health Investment: What to Know

For many in the active aging space, August is a time of budgets and decision making. While dollars are tight, the pandemic’s impact has proven that the real value of wellness engagement to resident health, connection, and satisfaction is, in fact, priceless.

As you consider how to stretch your allocation for maximum impact, you should know that there are multiple, unexpected ways investing in brain health is a wise move for your wellness impact – and your bottom line.

There really are countless ways making cognitive fitness a priority for your wellness spend brings surprising benefits, but let’s start with my top 3:

1. Brain training benefits your wellness engagement.

Your goal is to deliver wellness options residents will use and love. Look no further than brain fitness, which is a high wellness priority for everyone living in your community. A 2017 survey found that a whopping 72% of the 3,000+ adults say losing their memory is their top worry about aging. Residents not only have identified that they want your help keeping their cognition vital – they vote with their attendance when you include cognitive fitness training on the calendar.

Including cognitive wellness also helps you promote your overall health platform. Current science confirms the strong tie between body, mind, and spirit interventions and sharp thinking, dementia prevention, and living well with memory loss. Going beyond busy packets to well-designed brain health training can raise everyone’s awareness and participation in your fitness, creative, and community offerings.

2. Brain training benefits resident’s autonomy and purpose.

Daily thinking and memory are not the only targets of cognitive wellness – so are the skills needed for independence and vitality. After the pandemic, residents have a renewed commitment to taking care of
their brain health. Providing training options that help them meet those goals benefits their confidence, sense of achievement, and autonomy to direct their own wellness decisions. Opportunities for residents to drive their brain health engagement make it much more likely they will find their time in your program meaningful, fulfilling, and purposeful. Adding options such as peer training and program leadership can boost resident autonomy and purpose even more.

3. Brain training benefits your business plan.

Investing in brain training that truly engages your residents pays off for your bottom line as well. High value, meaningful brain training is a differentiator that can set your community apart for prospective community members and their families. While brain teasers may entertain, they do not reflect the serious commitment to cutting edge brain wellness the current marketplace demands. In addition, quality cognitive training contributes to having happy, satisfied residents who feel more deeply connected to each other and to a community that goes beyond the mundane to provide cutting-edge resources that help them thrive. That is, after all, why they moved to your community in the first place — and is most likely what will get them to stay.

Research shows that lifestyle wellness is a main reason folks are drawn to communal living. Further, we know that active wellness participants enjoy a higher quality of life, are more satisfied with living in your community, and stay healthier and independent for about 2 years longer, reducing their cost of care. As a highly sought-after aspect of wellness that brings a bounty of benefits, brain fitness is just a smart investment.

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THE “GREAT SUMMER BRAIN BUILD”

3 EASY STEPS FOR KEEPING YOUR COMMUNITY ENGAGED AND CHALLENGED THIS SUMMER

Summer is near, along with its eternal promise of fun days in the sun and some well-deserved down time. Isn’t it funny that, no matter how old we get, we shift into “summer mode” when the weather warms? You’d almost think we were getting out of school!

Chances are your community calendar slows down for the summer as well. Perhaps you have learned to schedule less as residents or members take advantage of the warmer weather to travel, or you are adjusting to accommodate staff vacations. Or maybe you have just gotten used to lightening the load as June approaches.

You know what doesn’t slow down for the summer? Our brains! We continue to need stimulation, challenge, and connection to keep our thinking sharp, stay social, and help our minds thrive – no matter the date on the calendar. And while no one wants summer assignments (always dreaded in my household!), simply downgrading the chances everyone has to engage can lead to brain drain.

Here’s an idea – host a “Great Summer Brain Build” instead!

This year, why not flip the script and challenge everyone to spend the summer having fun while building better cognitive fitness? A “Great Summer Brain Build” is the perfect way to keep everyone brain healthy while still taking a bit of a scheduling break. You can give folks the tools they need to stay sharp and vital, no matter where they go over the summer months. And you can support their ability to achieve their own personal brain training goals while building affiliation and happiness with all you have to offer – the very essence of person-centric wellness (and key to retention).

Ready to get started? Here are 3 simple steps to offering a “Great Summer Brain Build” in your community.

1.Think outside the boxes on your calendar. Find new, creative ways everyone can use that can be done independently, are portable and require less time. No need to overload the summer schedule! Try express “pop up” workouts that build specific thinking skills, like attention or speedy thinking. Or offer single session virtual classes to master memory for a specific concern, such as names. Ask folks to pick a brain-related wellness pursuit and commit to doing it for their “build” goals. You can even add a community-wide challenge with daily workouts folks do on their own for “points” they earn over the summer.

2. Keep everyone connected. Drive motivation and affiliation by keeping everyone connected to each other and your “home base,” no matter where the summer takes them. Instead of content-driven classes, host drop-in sessions that allow anyone participating in your “Great Summer Brain Build” the chance to check in for support and comradery when they are around. Keep everyone connected through social media with a dedicated group folks can join to share their brain-boosting adventures, ideas, articles and more. Encourage folks to find a “partner in crime” for the brain build – not only are they more likely to meet their training goals in the company of another, they are also more likely to be happier while doing it!

3. Schedule a time to celebrate success. One thing you should definitely put on the calendar? A time to bring everyone together to celebrate the success of your “Great Summer Brain Build.” Let everyone know well in advance when the program will end so they can plan to complete their target goals accordingly. A celebration gives closure to your program and allows folks to applaud their and each other’s achievements. And it’s perfect not only as a wrap-up event, but also a great time to kick off your fall brain training offerings!

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 MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE? 

 4 EASY TIPS YOU CAN USE TO BOOST FOCUS AND REV UP RECALL

I was recently asked if there is just one thing everyone could do to rev up their recall, especially after so many months (ok, even years) of feeling so distracted and scattered. Fortunately, I had an easy answer – it’s all about attention. If we focused more effectively on the things we want to retain, we would remember them better.

Of course, improving attention is not quite that easy. Let’s face it, life is full of distractions. We have many things competing for our awareness. Think about how many times you’ve been interrupted – or have interrupted yourself! – over the past hour alone. Perhaps you got a snack, checked your text messages, or took a phone call. In the time that I’ve been working on this piece alone I’ve had to answer a call, help my son edit a paper, and of course check email so I don’t miss anything life altering (hey, you never know).

On top of these tempting distractions, add other attention zappers that sometimes feel less within our control, such as how we sleep or feeling stressed or anxious about something. These are just a few of the lifestyle factors that can frazzle our focus, making it less likely we will remember what someone said, or where we left our keys. Aging can also contribute to the problem. As we gain years, it can be harder to sustain our focus.

Finally, we rarely consider how essential attention is to memory. Why? Well, consider for a moment what it takes to remember. First, we must learn the things that we want to recall later. And that process requires – you’ve got it! – attention. Most often the problem isn’t that we forget, but rather than we didn’t “get” the name or directions in the first place.

The good news is that we can all build better attention – and that it isn’t hard to do. And boosting your focus can do wonders for your recall. Here are 4 easy steps you can take to build better attention and memory starting now:

1. Pay attention to your attention. Be aware when you want to remember something for later, such as where you parked your car or the address where you are meeting someone for lunch. Then hit an intentional pause and bring your focus to that moment to make sure you effectively get the information.

2. Train your attention. Research shows we can improve our focus with training, no matter our age. Try game-based training that challenges attention. Playing against the clock is one of my favorite options, as we must stay focused and be fast and nimble in our thinking to do well (and we have fun, which makes the training go faster!).

3. Pay attention to how you live. Daily factors such as fatigue, poor diet, social isolation, and emotional distress can really drain your attention. Think about the daily choices that may be affecting your attention. You can experience a significant boost to focus and even memory ability by leading a lifestyle that supports healthy attention.

4. Stop Overtasking! The human brain is still, well, human! There is only so much we can handle at one time. Protect your attention and your time with some easy strategies that keep you from over-dividing your attention. For example, I use the “do not disturb” setting on my computer when I need to concentrate on a project or have a deadline. This gives me longer chunks of time without the distraction of emails or messages (which invariably are not life altering). Put “do not disturb” signs up when you are working on things that require focus. And try rewarding yourself with a favorite distraction (a game, a walk around the block) when you’ve successfully completed a task and are ready for a break.

In fact, now that I’ve finished this article, I think it’s time to refill my water bottle. Here’s to paying better attention to our attention!

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TBH Programs Improve Brain Fitness: Results of the ACAR Brain Health Intervention Study

Adults 65+ often experience changes in cognition, including memory. Longstanding evidence shows interventions such as lifestyle changes and memory training can improve thinking and cognitive vitality. However, most research has focused on longitudinal outcomes or laboratory-based interventions. There have been few naturalistic studies looking at the impact of cognitive wellness training in active aging communities. In addition, there is a lack of evidence for the value of sustainable, scalable interventions delivered in-place by existing staff to promote healthy cognition and wellbeing in this population.

Data is now available to fill that gap. The recently concluded ACAR Brain Health Intervention Study shows the robust, significant benefits of brain health training for adults in congregant living. The results demonstrate strong support for small group training designed to empower residents to be brain healthy, and to help them make meaningful changes for sharper thinking and better memory.

The ACAR Brain Health Intervention Study stemmed from a collaborative research partnership between Acts Retirement-Life Communities, researchers at the Alabama Research Institute on Aging, and Total Brain Health. Spearheaded by primary investigator Dr. Ian McDonough, associate professor of psychology at the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa, the 2-year investigation enrolled residents from 23 Acts Retirement-Life Communities. All participants were 65+, resided in independent living, and without a previous diagnosis of memory disorder.

The study used Total Brain Health’s small group cognitive wellness programs as the primary training intervention. Designed especially for aging adults, TBH’s programs reflect a methodology grounded in wellness-based lifestyle interventions across body, mind, and spirit; Social-Based Brain Training that uses the power of social engagement for cognitive benefit; and experiential or “hands on” training.

549 Acts residents participated and were randomly assigned to either 1 of 3 active interventions groups or a waitlist control group:

TBH BRAIN WORKOUT Program Group. Led by Acts staff, participants learned about behaviors promoting cognitive (how to focus attention), physical (how to eat healthy), and socio-emotional (how to stay socially engaged) wellbeing.

TBH MEMORY Program Group. Led by Acts staff, participants learned how memory works, how wellbeing impacts memory, and how to use several practical memory strategies to enhance recall for names, conversations, and more.

The Book Club Group. Led by a peer facilitator, participants discussed brain health knowledge from a book on brain health each week.

Waitlist Control Group. Did not participate in any brain training during the study.

The 3 active groups met for 1-hour weekly for 8 sessions over a 2-month period. Participants completed a packet of self-report measures to assess wellbeing and brain knowledge before training began, immediately at the conclusion of the training classes, and 2 months later.

Analyses of the data was overseen by Dr. McDonough. The results showed that participants in the active intervention groups benefited significantly from the programs when compared to those in the waitlist control group. Furthermore, several of the improvements remained evident at the 2-month follow-up. Specifically, those in the intervention groups were:

Empowered with greater knowledge about how they can take care of their brains

Had greater confidence in their memory and brain fitness

Used more memory strategies than they had before the training

In addition, at the end of the 8-week training participants in both the TBH BRAIN WORKOUT Program and Book Club groups were significantly more likely than those in the control group to:

Make healthier lifestyle choices to support brain health

The results of the ACAR Brain Health Intervention Study offer a meaningful contribution to what we know about the benefit of brain wellness training in active aging settings. First, these outcomes show that such interventions can make a real difference for older adults, giving them the capacity to make brain healthier lifestyle choices, feel more secure in their ability to care for their cognition, and use techniques to improve their memory.

In addition, while independent living communities can play a key role in cognitive wellness research, there have been few meaningful partnerships between academics, communities, and cognitive program providers. The Acts Retirement-Life Communities Center for Applied Research (ACAR) is a forward-thinking model of how organizations can help foster collaborations to contribute knowledge about the benefits of communal settings for older adults. Acts staff were a key part of the research process, giving them the opportunity to gain meaningful professional experience. They were supported by the ACAR team as well as Acts corporate staff as they helped guide the investigation in their communities.

Perhaps most importantly, these findings clearly show that staff-led cognitive wellness training is clearly valuable and sustainable when delivered in ways that are affordable and scalable. As the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care (2017) charged, “(G)iving people information about how to prevent or treat dementia is an essential first step but is not enough. There is a responsibility, not just as professionals but as a society, to implement this evidence into interventions that are widely and effectively used … . Interventions have to be accessible, sustainable, and, if possible, enjoyable or they will be unused.” The ACAR Brain Health Intervention Study demonstrates that such interventions exist and can be robustly delivered in ways that help older adults thrive.

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