Jul. 8--If you don't use it, you lose it.
That was gerontologist Dr. Kevin O'Neil's advice to senior adults regarding the importance of exercising the brain.
O'Neil, the medical director for Brookdale Senior Living, spoke at the Cross Train Your Brain seminar Tuesday morning at the Cedar Springs retirement community.
The seminar presented a variety of physical and mental exercises that could prevent or delay the onset of dementia by stimulating the growth of brain cells.
"We can form new brain cells no matter how old we are," O'Neil said. "Physical activities help spawn neurons; intellectual and environmental stimulation help them survive."
Cedar Springs resident Ozelle Beams was one of 90 people in the audience for Tuesday's seminar.
"I enjoyed it very much," Beams said. "It reinforced some of the things I already knew."
Intellectual activities recommended to stimulate mental fitness include card games, learning a new language and crossword puzzles. O'Neil reminded adults to challenge all parts of the brain by also taking up creative activities like painting or quilting.
Physical activity is also crucial in maintaining cognitive ability. O'Neil said walking just 20 minutes a day twice a week could reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's by more than 30 percent.
Big issue
"Brain health is a big issue; it can't be looked at by itself," O'Neil said. "We have to look at all of the things that influence it: the physical, spiritual, emotional, social and intellectual."
Although dementia is common among senior adults, it is not a normal part of aging.
"Alzheimer's destroys our memories, destroys who we are," O'Neil said.
"The good news is there are many things we can do to help ourselves."
Alzheimer's disease is a genetic disorder, but O'Neil said that lifestyle is a major factor in developing the disease.
"There are things we can't control, like age, family or history," O'Neil said. "But you can control your lifestyle."
Cathy Hampton, the executive director of Cedar Springs, said the retirement community provides many opportunities for residents to engage in the activities O'Neil recommended, including French classes, card games, and Movement is Medicine, Brookdale Senior Living's daily fitness program.
Health seminars help
O'Neil said offering health seminars to senior adults would allow them to become more knowledgeable about their health.
"We hope it will empower residents to be more proactive in their own care," O'Neil said.
Cedar Springs hosts two to three geriatric health seminars open to the public each year.
Hampton said 150 guests and residents attended the Cross Train Your Brain seminars held Monday and Tuesday.
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