Brain Teasers Older Adults

Public Library Will Become The Brain Gym in the future?

As you may have noticed, public libraries offer more than books these days. Yes, you can find CDs and DVDs, but also a variety of lifelong learning classes, opportunities for civic engagement, gaming sessions, and initiatives to promote health. Libraries are actively promoting cognitive health in a variety of ways.

A few months ago I spoke with librarians from The New York Public Library (NYPL) on "The Emerging Brain Fitness Field: Research and its implications. "He gave me an introduction to how the brain works, discussed the growing research supporting how lifestyle factors of life contribute to lifelong cognitive health, and provides a way to navigate through this emerging field and confusing. This was part of the health and welfare first NYPL personal Month library, which in turn was an important factor of great health events for older adults.

This experience highlights two trends: 1) Libraries public are focusing more on promoting the health and welfare for the exercise of older adults, 2) cognitive health or physical brain is becoming an important component of that promotion.

U.S. Public Census data explains why libraries need to serve more audiences age. In 20 years, the number of Americans over 55 is expected to grow below 60 million to about $ 100 million. This is due to longevity and extended to the baby boomers move up the population pyramid.

Brain health, provides a unique opportunity for libraries to participate actively boomers and seniors. Rohit Burman, director of culture and public broadcasting in the MetLife Foundation, explains: "Last year we identified a growing interest in boomers and seniors on issues of brain health and thinking that public libraries as community learning centers, could play an important role. Therefore, we decided to launch, in collaboration with the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives and Libraries for the Future, a new iteration of Fit for Life, focused squarely on the promotion of the physical brain. "

The Fit for Life supports the library systems of January 17, 2009-January 2010 release new initiatives to promote brain health through the following research based on lifestyle factors: diet, exercise, intellectual challenge, mental stimulation through new experiences, and socialization.

Other new programs using libraries to promote brain health. For example, permanent access Libraries initiative, funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies, in practice it is a way of "all inclusive" for older adults to improve the physical brain through civic engagement.

Game, thanks to the Nintendo Wii, is rapidly emerging as a great opportunity to promote intergenerational activities. At least 18 of the 89 sites ordered NYPL Wii gaming equipment and software in 2008, for use in the library for review. The American Library Association celebrated the first "National Gaming Day @ Your Library" November 15, 2008, covering both the Board and video games.

Brigid Cahalan, NYPL Older Adult Specialist Services, explains that Wii games has become one of the most popular activities to engage older adults in the libraries that offer it regularly, in addition to the more serious computer classes had long been the main attraction. It also stresses "If we want to become centers of learning and community activity, we must offer new types of social activities."

In short, libraries and are innovating to make more adults to lifelong learning, civic engagement, games, health and welfare promotion. cognitive health may well be the common driver of all these activities.

This new reality raises some interesting questions for librarians, aging and learning professionals continuing to consider: public libraries in May will become the future in health centers for the mind and brain?

Marzena Ermler, Coordinator NYPL Professional Development, explains the emphasis on brain health in this way: "If only we could help people understand that libraries are places healthy for them to leave. Learning through life is very important to keep your brain in top form as we age. "

Paul Rothstein, Ph.D., co-editor of Longevity and Libraries ALA book: Voices unexpected to be published in late 2009, recommended libraries to "think of the brain fitness as the new concept that can help integrate dispersed activities, identify other necessary resources, and explaining our value to society. It makes sense to start with specific programming and then use a new framework for assessing a variety of library services. Public libraries need to redefine old stop thinking and material objects (buildings, books, DVD …) and services focus on: how to educate, how we can help navigate the rising tide of information "specifically around how to keep your brain in shape? "

That evolution will require libraries to actively listen to the expectations of the community, and collaborate with organizations premises, such as senior centers, to meet new needs. If reconfigured as Health Clubs Brain and Mind, libraries provide an essential service for an aging population and become centers of information and destinations for brain fitness programs.

About the Author

Alvaro Fernandez is the Co-Author of The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness (May 2009, $24.95), the first consumer guide that reviews the science behind brain training products. You can Order this brain fitness Book at Amazon.com. Alvaro has been quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, CNN and more. He holds MA in Education and MBA from Stanford University.

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