Page 14 - Mind Games The Aging Brain and How to Keep it Healthy

Preface • xiii

tice the exercises and games included in this text at home,
while at the hairdresser’s or barber’s, or even in bed before
you go to sleep. However, after you understand the reason-
ing behind the techniques, you will begin applying them to
situations independent from the book—while at work, dri-
ving, fishing, or shopping. If you practice these techniques,
they will make a difference in your life and improve the
quality of your lifestyle. You will feel in control again.

HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
AND HOME CAREGIVERS
This text supports a continuing-education class on assisting
seniors to regain their mental acuity. The material is pre-
sented clearly in layperson’s terminology, laced with humor
and everyday application strategies. Students in the class
will enjoy group discussions of their experiences. The exer-
cises and activities in this book easily may be adapted to
group activities.
For those of you who care for another person in the
home, this book can help provide assistance in explaining
the reasons for that person’s apparent decline and in select-
ing activities to help reverse the process.
Healthcare professionals serving the elder population
may use this text to supplement the daily routine of their el-
derly patients in group sessions. Some elderly patients may
prefer to use the text on an individual basis instead of in a
classroom setting. If your patients have physical complica-
tions and cannot read, you should read through the entire
book prior to meeting with them about this topic. Explain
Chapters 1 through 4 and help them with the tests on learn-
ing preferences in Chapter 1. It might help them to know
many of the aspects of aging, such as why food doesn’t
seem to interest them as it used to. You’ll find this informa-
tion in Chapter 5. As the healthcare giver, you will need to
evaluate your patient and choose appropriate exercises,
games, and activities from all the chapters, but especially
those in Chapters 4, 6, and 7.