Brain Fitness Programs - What are they and why does your Community need one?

From our friends at Stanford University . . .

Since all of you are dealing with baby boomer and seniors' trends, you may be interested in this report we prepared for the American Seniors Housing Association (this happened thanks to the lead by a fellow alumnus, Ryan Frederick, so thanks Ryan!).

The 15-page report, entitled "Brain Fitness Centers in Senior Housing: A Field in the Making," provides an overview of the brain fitness field with four case studies that shed light on the use of brain fitness centers in seniors housing communities, including those operated by Senior Star Living of Tulsa, OK, Belmont Village Senior Living of Houston, TX, and Erickson Retirement Communities of Catonsville, MD.

In releasing the Special Issue Brief, David Schless, ASHA's President, noted, "This report truly underscores how cutting-edge technology and science are being used to enhance the lives of seniors. It is particularly exciting to contemplate the enormous potential impact that computerized cognitive assessments and training can have for seniors housing residents."

According to the author, Alvaro Fernandez, "This is the very first publication in the field of brain fitness to address specific considerations related to seniors housing, expanding on our general market report released earlier this year. It is
very conceivable that the early and enthusiastic adaptation of cognitive fitness, supported by the solid measurement of outcomes reported in the Brief, will help to transform the way in which the general population perceives seniors housing."

Table of Contents
I. Executive Summary
II. A Field in the Making: Opportunities and Open Questions
III. Case Studies: Senior Star Living, Belmont Village, Erickson
Retirement Communities.
IV. Navigating through the Brain Fitness Program Landscape
V. Conclusions

For more info, and to acquire the report ($25), you can check out
http://www.sharpbrains.com/special-reports/brain-fitness-centers-in-senior-housing/

Editor's note:
Since our involvement back in 2007 at the Microsoft Aging Summit in Redmond, WA, I have been following a number of the market leaders who are providing "brain fitness" services to the senior housing industry. These companies are active in our associations, have sponsored panel discussions, and are frequent exhibitors and speakers at events like ALFA, AAHSA, AHCA, CAST etc. If you have not visited one of their booths at the previous shows please make an effort to see them if you plan to be in Philadelphia for AAHSA or Nashville for AHCA later this year. It won't be long before your residents and their families start asking you if your facility/community offers these types of programs. All you Activity Directors should take note. For a list of these companies please contact Berry at this blog.

BB