The ageless game: Keeping Alzheimer’s in check

Some might scoff at the idea of claiming a game as sedentary as chess to be a sport. Others argue it requires some serious mental stamina.

In fact, chess was officially recognized as a sport in 1999 by the International Olympic Committee.

Chess is a game that has been played for centuries, and it is known for its benefits to players of all ages. For seniors, in particular, playing chess can have numerous advantages, promoting both physical and mental wellbeing.

According to studies, the average chess player burns 132 calories per hour. It isn’t astronomical, but when compared to other sedentary activities such as reading, which burns 84 calories per hour, or watching Netflix, which burns a measly 60 calories, it is the more salubrious option.

We live in an age where life expectancy is continuing to rise, but quality of life in later years is struggling.

Worldwide, nearly 10 million new cases of dementia are reported each year.

Studies have shown that playing chess regularly can help reduce the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

One of the primary benefits of chess for seniors is that it provides a mental workout. Chess requires concentration, strategy and problem-solving skills, which can help sharpen the mind and promote alert- ness. It really checks off all the boxes.

In South Bend, the Lincolnway West Chess Club meets every Monday from 6:30-9 p.m. Most of the attendees are 50 or older, including Roger Blaine.

Blain has been a tournament director for over 50 years. In 2004, he was inducted into the Indiana State Chess Association Hall of Fame. He has directed tournaments with some very talented and well known chess masters.

Notable people include Grandmaster Ben Finegold, who has an active Twitch and YouTube channel, and the late International Master Emory Tate, who was a graduate of Concord High School in Elkhart.

Now Blaine, 74, is still active in the chess community around northern Indiana.

“You don’t have to be a strong player to enjoy the company, get out of the house for a while and try your skills.

My friend, organizer Joe Riegsecker, had a slogan, ‘You don’t have to be good to play in the chess club — playing in the chess club is how you get good!’” said Blaine.

In addition to the mental benefits, chess can also be a social activity.

One of Blaine’s longtime friends, Les Kistler is also a tournament director and strong player in the St. Joseph County area. Three of his former pupils at Penn High School have reached the expert rating of 2000 USCF.

In his 49 years of competitive play he has won several

Never too old for an allergy

seafood, dairy products, an array of vegetables, beef, latex, pet dander, you name it.

tournaments, including the Indiana State Speed Chess Championship in 1989.

“All of the chess clubs in Elkhart and St. Joseph County are looking for members of all ages; seniors would be welcome at all local clubs. To improve at chess, I think a player needs to face opponents of all different ages and skill levels, and I think attending any local club will assist in that effort,” said Kistler.

Kistler also added that chess would be a great opportunity for grandparents to spend time with their grandchildren.

memory in only four months.

Although more profound and rapid improvements are found in children, similar results have been observed in adults.

Although Blaine and Kistler are just a couple examples, their positive attitudes and guileless demeanor are infectious and their abilities over the chess board are a testament to chess’s prophylactic properties.

Playing chess can also help seniors develop new skills and interests. Those who are still physically active should keep the thought of chess pinned in their minds.

Learning the game can be a fun and challenging experience, and seniors can benefit from the sense of accomplishment that comes from mastering a new skill. In addition, chess can be a lifelong pursuit, with opportunities for ongoing learning and improvement.

A neighbor who recently became an octogenarian just reported she’s allergic to peanuts. She broke out in hives one evening while munching her favorite snack.

There are several reasons for allergic breakouts among oldsters. Seniors are moving from colder climates to warmer and then back again. Everyone has become cleanliness conscious and rely on such external precautions as masks and hand sanitizers that some science indicates weakens our natural protection.

The sources of allergies seem to have multiplied —

Allergies can manifest themselves in several ways, the aforementioned hives, itching, difficulty breathing, sneezing, itching and tingling of the mouth and face, and red blotches, just to mention a few.

When any untoward feeling occurs, make of list of what you’ve eaten last, record the symptoms and make an appointment with your primary care physician. If your reaction is serious, such as an increasing shortness of breath, call 911 and get emergency treatment.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2023

In a study published in the Journal of Psychology, elementary aged students showed significant increases in IQ and in nonverbal reasoning, social intelligence, numerical reasoning, conceptual thinking, language and