FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Karen Gibson massages Gertrude Urata, left, a resident of the Plaza at Punchbowl. Behind them, Nancy Matsunaga massages Doris Sakai. Gibson was using the sensory exercise to help explain the connection between the senses and the brain. Her program for seniors teaches ways to keep the mind active.

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BRAINPOWER

An expert offers various
suggestions to help slow
age-related forgetfulness

With age comes growing concern about ordinary bouts of forgetfulness. You walk into a room and forget why. You repeatedly misplace keys or sunglasses (even when they're on the top of your head). Or you forget a familiar person's name or phone number.

No need to fret, according to Karen Gibson, who conducts "Energizing Elders" workshops. Forgetfulness doesn't have much to do with Alzheimer's disease or senility, she said. Mostly, it stems from overtaxing schedules and the demands of modern life, she said.

Exercising the mind To improve brain function Fire breathing: Take short, deep, quick breaths for 30 seconds to increase oxygen flow to the brain and boost mental alertness. Physical exercise: A brisk walk or yoga-type stretching also increases blood flow to the brain and helps with memory, reasoning, thinking and learning. Memory games: Make a list of 15 items and study them for three minutes. Cover the list and recall as many items as possible. Visualize acronyms: A list of fruit might be "COB BAGS" (for cherries, oranges, blueberries, bananas, apples, grapes and strawberries). Acronyms can be used to remember all the items on a grocery list. Motor skills: Practice brushing your teeth or eating with your nondominant hand. Such simple exercises or breaks from routine can improve mental proficiency. To enhance the senses Touch: Pick up a few coins and guess what they are by feel. Try to guess which side is heads and tails. Have someone draw letters or shapes on your back with a finger. Try to guess successfully. Smell: Place items such as cut grass or baby powder in different bowls. Keeping your eyes closed, identify the items by their smell. Hearing: Tape sounds (or purchase a tape of pre-recorded sounds) and try to determine the difference between rain, thunder, a baby's laughter or animal sounds. Source: Karen Gibson, Brain Builders tutoring service

But when mental aging is a real concern, steps can be taken to slow the process. "Each of us has the potential to prevent brain loss," Gibson said. And it's never too early or too late to start.

Gibson recently expanded Brain Builders, her tutoring business, to include adults and seniors. The "Energizing Elders" and "Brain Boosters" programs teach exercises and activities that stimulate the mind. The program's main goal is to teach adults to use parts of the brain that control memory, reasoning, thinking and learning.

The classes evolved while Gibson was searching for ways to increase her own longevity.

"Too many elders blame lack of energy, physical strength or motivation as reasons not to participate in various activities," she said. She believes such people's situations would change if they merely try being more active and mentally engaged. Gibson suggests getting started by playing intellectually stimulating games such as chess, Pictionary or Scrabble.

"Not only will playing games ensure that seniors make time to socialize, but it will create a fun means to improve brain functioning. Any type of memory or word game is an excellent way to work on mental agility."

Simple memory games and practicing movements to improve motor function can help. "Routine is like a death signal to the brain," Gibson said.

"Kids live truly in the moment. They don't worry about yesterday or tomorrow. That is probably why they don't have heart attacks. ... No matter how old we are, we need to take time to focus on the present ... not just worrying about the past and future.

"Running on autopilot can make life boring and unfulfilling," she said. "By taking small steps to change your routine, you will be amazed how quickly your mood can be lifted."

TRYING something new need not be scary. It doesn't mean being foolhardy or taking big risks. It can be as simple as trying a new breakfast cereal or a new hobby.

Tantalizing the senses also increases brain stimulation. Specific scents can even trigger memories. And using more than one sense at a time can help strengthen brain power. "Baking chocolate chip cookies while studying enhances the whole learning process," Gibson said.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Chan Wong, left, and Betty Waddle smell lotions rubbed on their hands to see if the scents trigger memories.

Play is also important no matter how old you are, she added. "Take time to experience pure enjoyment," through hobbies, such as gardening, painting or photography.

And, loved ones matter. "Humans function healthier and happier when love is in their life," Gibson said, whether that love is for a spouse, children or a pet. Seniors who live alone could lend a hand at a child-care center or visit animals at the humane society to kindle this vital emotion.

People really need to focus on enjoying life, Gibson said, because negative emotions can have a negative effect on longevity. "No matter what the situation, it's best to retrain the brain to be positive."

SOME of Gibson's strategies were inspired by her aunt's father-in-law, who lived to be 101. Although he had arthritis, used a cane to walk and lost his wife, he seemed genuinely content, she said.

"I asked him what he thought the secret to longevity was at his 100th-birthday bash. I will always remember his simple yet enlightening answer. He gave me a toothless smile and replied, 'Do something fun every single day of your life, take time to exercise even if it's a 15-minute walk around the neighborhood and remember to always count your blessings.'"

Later, she studied the science of brain neurons and the synaptic response and growth caused by stimuli. "A neuron that does not get used is more likely to succumb to the continual dying process that goes on with your brain cell every day," Gibson said. "If we don't practice being mindful, we are wasting our lives. You've only got one brain and that one is irreplaceable. No transplants, no prostheses. So, take care if it."