by Jo Strausz Rosen
Just as we make time for physical fitness, it’s essential to keep our minds in shape too, especially as we age. While many of us focus on walking, yoga, or strength training, it’s easy to overlook our mental fitness. At Hechtman Apartments, Sandy Smith, one of the Jewish Senior Life (JSL) Resident Service Coordinators, holds a weekly class to exercise residents’ brains with an hour of word puzzles.
Mind Aerobics can take many forms.
My husband and I participate in a structured, one-hour Mind Aerobics program twice weekly, offered through Jewish Family Service (JFS) Mind University in West Bloomfield. It’s been an eye-opening and enriching experience. The group setting makes it both effective and fun.
Think of Mind Aerobics as a gym for your brain. This isn’t just crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, or trivia (though those are great too). Mind Aerobics is a research-based program designed to challenge and strengthen multiple areas of cognitive function – memory, attention, language, problem-solving, and more.
The science behind it is compelling. Studies show that regular cognitive workouts can slow age-related decline, sharpen focus and memory, and even delay the onset of dementia-related symptoms. It all comes down to neuroplasticity, our brain’s amazing ability to form new connections and adapt throughout life.
JFS’s Mind University uses a curriculum developed by the New England Cognitive Center (NECC), and it’s impressively thorough. Participants begin with an initial assessment to determine the right class level. Over a 12-week session, activities gradually increase in difficulty and are offered in both group and one-on-one formats. A follow-up assessment measures progress.
The program targets:
- Memory
- Visual-spatial skills
- Attention & concentration
- Language
- Problem-solving
- Reaction time
An unexpected benefit? The sense of community. These classes are not only mentally stimulating, they’re also social. Staying engaged with others supports emotional well-being and helps us stay connected, which is key to aging well.
Even if you’re not ready to join a group activity, you can still train your brain. Here are some simple ways to get started:
- Add 15 minutes of brain games to your routine daily. Try Wordle, sudoku, memory challenges, or strategy-based board games.
- Learn something new. Memorize a phone number, play a musical instrument, study a few words in another language, or learn a poem. (My father recited If by Rudyard Kipling until his death at 99, with his brain and sense of humor intact.)
- Try tai chi, meditation, or dancing. These stimulate both body and brain.
- Play social card games. Everyone talks about Canasta, but there are many others to try. Even Solitaire has benefits! Last weekend, my 12-year-old granddaughter taught us a colorful, fast-paced game called Super TAKI. It’s similar to UNO, with lots of fun twists and turns.
- Build your vocabulary. Learn and use a new word each day. Try Googling “Word of the Day” and expand your repertoire.
- Make music part of your life. Singing, listening to music, or playing simple instruments can support brain health.
- Change your routine. Take a different route home and notice what’s new. This keeps your brain alert and curious.
If a weekly class feels like too much for now, consider Gray Matters, JFS’s free monthly workshops on Zoom. Topics range from music and art to stress management and brain-friendly nutrition, all designed with cognitive wellness in mind.
Interested in joining Mind Aerobics?
Call: 248-788-6463 (248.788.MIND)
Email: MindU@jfsdetroit.org
Visit: www.jfsdetroit.org and search for “Mind University.”
Mind Aerobics isn’t just about staying sharp. It’s about staying engaged, active, and joyful as we age.
Give your brain the workout it deserves.
Shabbat Shalom.