Mental Fitness Tools
Dear Savvy Senior,

I've been reading that seniors can sharpen their minds and improve their memory by playing video or computer games. But the video games I'm familiar with are for kids and don't interest me. Can you recommend some good, mind-boosting computer games for older adults? PlayStation Patty

Dear Patty:

It is true that playing video or computer games can be good for the brain, but not many older adults have an Xbox or PlayStation sitting in their living room- unless it's for the grandkids. Here's what you should know.

Mental Fitness

It's been proven in various studies that by exercising the brain through mind challenging activities, you can actually improve your memory, slow age-related mental decline and even build a stronger brain. Today, there are a growing number of interactive, brain-boosting Web sites and computer software programs specifically designed for baby boomers and seniors.

Web Workouts

Exercising the mind online is a fun, affordable option and it doesn't require any special equipment. To help you get started here are some top Web sites to visit:

+ MyBrainTrainer.com: This online mental gymnasium provides its members with a variety of short, individual exercises designed to stimulate different parts of the brain and provides immediate feedback so you can monitor your improvement. It also offers a BrainDiary feature that determines when you're sharpest mentally, a message board for sharing workout tips with other members and more. Cost: $9.95 for a four-month subscription.

+ Agogus.com: A new virtual online gym that provides its members a place to do brain exercises, learn something new every day, play fun mental games and socialize, which are all key elements to staying mentally fit. Membership costs $30 per year.

+ Happy-Neuron.com: Provides members a variety of entertaining and challenging games that are fun and scientifically developed to strengthen memory and concentration. They also provide tools so you can track your progress and challenge your friends. To get you started they offer a 7-day free trial, but after that your monthly fee is $9.95 or $99.95 for a year.

+ BrainBuilder.com: Offers a variety of cognitive exercises designed to improve capability to overcome learning or attention difficulty, achieve peak mental performance and prevent aging of the brain. Cost: $7.95 per month or $49.45 for a year. They also provide a 7-day free membership trial.

Other Products

Beyond the Internet, there's a variety of other good brain-boosting products to consider, but they aren't cheap. Here are some you should know about:

+ Brain Fitness Program: This is a top-notch computer software program created by Posit Science that provides a series of computerbased exercises to help stop and even reverse memory loss. The program provides listening exercises that require the participant to match sounds. The exercises get faster, forcing the brain to process quicker. Price: $395, works only with Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP. The MAC version will be available later this year. Visit www.positscience.com for a sample.

+ MindFit: This is another good, brainboosting computer software program created by Vigorous Mind Inc. The cost is $139 and it's designed for Windows only. See www.vigorousmind. com.

+ Brain Age: Made by Nintendo, this is a fun, electronic game that offers a series of mind-boosting games, like solving simple math problems, drawing pictures on the touch screen, reading classic literature out loud, Sudoku puzzles and more. Price: $20, but to play Brain Age, you'll also need to buy a hand-held Nintendo DS game unit, which costs $129. See www.brainage.com.

Savvy Tips: To view a wide variety of boomer/senior targeted computer games, visit Eons game page at fun.eons.com/games. And if you don't have a home computer, or if computer brain games don't appeal to you, there are other ways to strengthen your mind, such as crossword, jigsaw or Sudoku puzzles; games like Scrabble, cards, chess or checkers; learning a new language or musical instrument; starting a new hobby; taking a class; reading, and volunteering. Be sure to exercise your body, too. It's also important to mix up mental exercises so you're stimulating your brain in new and different ways.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the "NBC Today Show" and author of The Savvy Senior books.