How Chess Benefits in Keeping Alzheimer's Away
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Fortunately, policymakers are recognizing this urgency about investment, research and education. The White House recently unveiled a $100 million dollar BRAIN Initiative and that will take a very important step toward the most dramatic breakthroughs in human health. Brain research is vital for Autism, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, mental health, and a host of other concerns.
What can be done to stop the disease or slow it down in the meantime? There exists an intriguing activity that could, indeed, slow or stop the disease.
Read more »Hi everyone,
We are always on the lookout for articles and news on the benefits of chess. Here's another interesting feature that talks about chess with a reference to Alzheimer's. 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. Here is his nice article for al.com:
Mind sports could help older adults improve cognitive performance and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's
Mind sports could help older adults improve cognitive performance and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's
You’ve read the headline of this article. Interesting you think. You nod and move on. What if you notice that you forgot what you just had read a moment ago?
It’s those little things that begin to make you concerned – misplaced keys, forgetting to shut the refrigerator door, driving home forgetting which way you turn to get there. What happens when you cannot remember the person sitting across from you who happens to also be your spouse?
Many know this reality all too well – especially if you are a caregiver or have seen the devastation of Alzheimer’s in your immediate family.
The never ending data is alarming and staggering.
Every 68 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s disease. One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that in 2013, 450,000 Americans will die with Alzheimer’s disease. Estimates are that 7 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s by 2025 -- a 40 percent increase.
By 2050, cost of care for Alzheimer’s is projected to balloon from $203 billion in 2013 to $1.2 trillion, 70 percent of which will be covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Nearly 14.5 million caregivers provided more than 17.5 billion hours of unpaid care. Those numbers will rise over the next decade as well.
Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s or dementia so as our population continues to age the prevalence of the disease will continue to grow. Closer to home, almost 53,000 Alabama citizens are living with Alzheimer’s. In Alabama, by 2025 there will be a 31 percent increase in the disease.
Chess is a particularly good brain builder. It is a fairly easy game to learn. It takes a little practice but the possibilities of play are endless.
The latest data underscore the need for an urgent global response, including a strong investment in research, to stop the emerging Alzheimer’s crisis.
It’s those little things that begin to make you concerned – misplaced keys, forgetting to shut the refrigerator door, driving home forgetting which way you turn to get there. What happens when you cannot remember the person sitting across from you who happens to also be your spouse?
Many know this reality all too well – especially if you are a caregiver or have seen the devastation of Alzheimer’s in your immediate family.
The never ending data is alarming and staggering.
Every 68 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s disease. One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that in 2013, 450,000 Americans will die with Alzheimer’s disease. Estimates are that 7 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s by 2025 -- a 40 percent increase.
By 2050, cost of care for Alzheimer’s is projected to balloon from $203 billion in 2013 to $1.2 trillion, 70 percent of which will be covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Nearly 14.5 million caregivers provided more than 17.5 billion hours of unpaid care. Those numbers will rise over the next decade as well.
Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s or dementia so as our population continues to age the prevalence of the disease will continue to grow. Closer to home, almost 53,000 Alabama citizens are living with Alzheimer’s. In Alabama, by 2025 there will be a 31 percent increase in the disease.
Chess is a particularly good brain builder. It is a fairly easy game to learn. It takes a little practice but the possibilities of play are endless.
The latest data underscore the need for an urgent global response, including a strong investment in research, to stop the emerging Alzheimer’s crisis.
Fortunately, policymakers are recognizing this urgency about investment, research and education. The White House recently unveiled a $100 million dollar BRAIN Initiative and that will take a very important step toward the most dramatic breakthroughs in human health. Brain research is vital for Autism, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, mental health, and a host of other concerns.
What can be done to stop the disease or slow it down in the meantime? There exists an intriguing activity that could, indeed, slow or stop the disease.
Labels: alabama chess, chess and Alzheimer's, michael ciamarra
posted by Chess Blog Admin @ 11:13 AM
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