Cognitive Exercise Update

I am participating in a study through FSU using such “games” to monitor impact. I qualified for the study because multiple family members have/had dementia and so far, at age 71, I show no signs. I completed the first 6 weeks of computer “games” in 3023. Will do so again in 2024 and 2025. I was surprised at how challenging it was at first but I developed strategies that allowed me to get better in visual scanning and responding. I think I am much more observant of visual field in walking and driving. The only other factor, in my family at least, is that I was dx with a clotting disorder about 13 years ago and have taken 2 low dose aspirin every day since then. My affected family (2 siblings and our mother) did not take low dose aspirin. JMHO. I think brain games are a very good thing and if it is ok with doctor to take low dose aspirin every day it might also be a good thing.

I appreciate your story. Some of my patients find it hard to continue the exercises because there are challenging as you stay. How did you persevere through that? I also wonder if anyone else reading this might have tips for keeping at it even when it is frustrating or challenging at first.

1. The staff were clear that the tasks may be frustrating and that the timing of the sessions could be variable if that helped.
2. They also suggested working for shorter more frequent time periods to reach the weekly goal.
3. As I progressed thru the exercises I figured out how to change my approach (instead of trying to visually scan the entire image to see/perceive multiple details I discovered lookin at the image as a whole image and simultaneously observed pieces and parts in quadrants, upper/lower left/right, helped a lot. The staff wereNOT allowed to coach so I assume that being able to adjust how a complex task can be approached and making necessary shifts in the approach are higher level skills that would likely diminish or be lost with cognitive impairment or dementia
4. I do believe that the staff being available by phone during training was really helpful. I also believe that participants who get very frustrated and don’t or won’t complete the tasks or who find the process so frustrating that they withdraw may be at early stages? That is only based upon what I have seen with my mother, older sister, and younger brother who have/had been diagnosed with dementia/MCI. Again, JMHO.

Dr. Locke, you asked how we have been cognitively challenging ourselves.
My husband was diagnosed with MCI. My cognitive challenge used to be studying foreign languages on the free Duolingo app. Now my challenge is keeping up with him and the changes he's going through, and studying as much as I can to support him as he navigates these waters.
Also I feel like a cheerleader. My husband's PHP and Neuro doctors both recommended the Mediterranean diet and regular exercise. We exercise together first thing every morning, because otherwise he gets up and eats right away. This morning I did have to work hard to get him to continue with the workout. He was ready to quit a few times and I had to play the doctor's orders card.
Both of our personalities have changed, my change in response to his change.
It is cognitively challenging to remind myself to be patient and kind when I am frustrated.

Since my wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's seven plus years ago, I have been doing brain exercises daily, with BrainHQ, Lumosity and Elevate. Now BrainHQ, which was my favorite, has changed so to get the usual variety of exercises I am accustomed to, a subscription is required. So I am looking for good alternatives, and wonder if anyone has suggestions.

@chris20 You can go to AARP.org and look up their games for seniors. Many are free!
Ginger

Ginger,
Thank you for this suggestion, I will check it out!

I have used BrainHQ as my main tool for cognitive maintenance and improvement. I am caregiver for my age 81 spouse who has Alzheimer's.
I was disappointed that nearly all the free daily exercises were recently eliminated and the only way now to access the ones previously available, is to subscribe for a monthly fee. There was no announcement or publication that this was happening. On fixed incomes, many of us just can't subscribe to everything.

Thank you for sharing Judi. I
experience challenges daily to be patient with my husband because of his extreme hearing loss and now perhaps some Cognitive issues. I wonder if anyone can make suggestions about access to testing for MCI? We went to Scripps, but she only tested him for dementia.

Perhaps see a Neurologist or a Gerontologist? Good luck.