July 2008

Nearly 80 residents and 17 staff (including 3 corporate staff members) from five Kendal affiliates have successfully completed the Brain Fitness Program by Posit Science. Kendal at Hanover, Kendal at Ithaca and Kendal at Home have now purchased the program and all their residents, members, staff and waiting lists are able to participate in the program. A sixth affiliate - Kendal Crosslands Communities - began the program in June.

The Posit Science Brain Fitness Program™ challenges the commonly held belief that the brain can’t retrain itself. The program is the result of 30 years of scientific research showing it is possible to “teach an old brain new tricks.” This program was recently featured in an article called "Keeping Your Brain Fit" in U.S. News and World Report. Brain Fitness is a challenging computerized program that has been scientifically designed to improve focus, listening skill, processing speed, and memory. According to Posit, over 100,000 individuals have taken the program.

In preparation for the Kendal pilots, Posit Science staff conducted orientations onsite for residents, staff, and volunteer coaches at each participating affiliate. Some individuals used the program at home and others in the computer laboratory in their community. One participant commented about the program: "Throughout the program they (Posit staff) explain the physiology, i.e., the reasons they are doing what they're doing, in what I find to be clear and accurate descriptions....My husband and I are on session 26 [of a total of 40], and I have noticed that he no longer says 'What?' in response to everything I say, for which I am very grateful."

Kendal at Home member Erma Kareem reviewed the program for LeChat, the Kendal at Home member publication. She reports:

"I personally believe the Posit Science Brain Fitness Program helped me enhance my brain fitness as I worked through the 40 sessions.... The program met my expectations. I learned that some cognitive auditory skills needed improvement and I'm working daily to improve them. I would encourage Kendal at Home members to take advantage of the Posit Science Brain Fitness Program." READ ERMA'S REVIEW.

Participating affiliates included Kendal at Oberlin, Kendal at Hanover, Kendal on Hudson, Kendal at Ithaca and Kendal at Home, and now Kendal~Crosslands Communities.