Computer games pump up elders' mental strength

Washington, July 18 (ANI): Computer games can help boost mental strength and flexibility of older adults, say researchers.

They have encouraged older adults to engage in physical movement, thereby building coordination and agility, while playing virtual tennis, bowling, or darts on a Nintendo Wii.

Case Western Reserve University psychologist T.J. McCallum and founder of The Brain Emporium has also designed a regimen of computer games and programs for older adults' needs and wants.

These computerized programs engage and stimulate different areas of cognition, including memory, visual-spatial abilities, flexibility, processing speed, language and planning and boosts mental health.

However, McCallum claims that The Brain Emporium programs aren't yet proven to slow diseases such as Alzheimer's, but do engage elders and sharpen their minds.

"If you don't use your body, it atrophies and the same is true for the brain," he said.

One Mickey Lewin, 71 insists that the computerised programs have been helpful.

"People can tell me numbers and I don't have to have them repeat them. I don't reverse numbers like I used to. I remember more things now," she said. (ANI)