THE WEEK · JULY 29, 2018 19HEALTHwhich strengthens the brain.
“When used as part of reha-
bilitation and neurocognitive
stimulation programmes, they
could help improve or delay
the onset of conditions such as
Parkinson's disease, cognitive
deterioration, and Alzheimer's
disease,” says Dr M. Udaya
Kumar Maiya, medical direc-
tor, Portea Medical, Bengaluru.
“When played at regular inter-
vals, these can help boost neu-
roplasticity and aid the brain
in recovering after injuries or
disorders.”
Tanushri Chatterjee would
vouch for that. Chatterjee met
with an accident 18 years ago,
which left her with a serious
head injury. It affected her cog-
nitive functions, and her entire
body was paralysed. Chat-
terjee had multiple sessions of
physiotherapy and play thera-
pies which improved her hand
movements and speech signifi -
cantly. “Then a caretaker intro-
duced an online game to my
mom and I was taken aback by
her response to it,” says Tapo-
joy Chatterjee, her son. “Now
she tries holding the mobile.
Her favourite games are Can-
dy Crush, Angry Birds and Tile
Matching,” he says.
To combat age-related cogni-
tive decline, one must constant-
ly challenge the brain. Board,
card and other online games
help boost memory, says Dr
Ramesh K.N., consultant phy-
sician and geriatrician, Fortis
Hospitals, Cunningham Road,
Bengaluru. “Bingo, dominoes
and Hangman games deal with
mental fl exibility and test el-ders' memory retention,” he
adds. When you learn new
things, the brain forms new
neurons and creates new con-
nections.
The physicality of games will
result in improved balance,
says Ramesh. “As we grow old,
our immune system tends to
become weak and we fall sick
more often,” he says. “When
elderly people are involved
in games like card games and
board games, it improves their
immunity as there is chemical
release in the body that fi ghts
stress and boosts the immune
system. It invokes positive feel-
ing and spreads happiness,”
adds Ramesh.
Learning new languages is
also a great way to keep the
brain agile and sharp. “I am
keen to learn Kannada,” Aiyar
tells me as if revealing his big-
gest secret. I helped him down-
load a voice recording app on
his smartphone so that he can
revise his lessons. The next
time I meet Aiyar, he tells me
that he practises Kannada with
whoever he meets during his
morning walks.
Researchers at the University
of Exeter and King's College
in London found that people
who do crossword puzzles
regularly have reasoning speed
and short-term memory ac-
curacy on par with someone
ten years younger. Dr Shyam
Bhat, psychiatrist and mental
wellness expert at cure.fi t says,
“Keeping the mind active, pur-
poseful and engaged is likely to
decrease the risk of cognitive
decline and help with overall
mood.” ◆GAMES SENIORS PLAY: Tanushri
Chatterjee's favourites are Candy
Crush and Angry Birds; (left)
Chander Aiyar plays bridge online
JAGADEESH N.V.