The Brain Exercise Initiative (BEI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on preventing memory loss through brain exercise. Research by neuroscientist Dr. Ryuta Kawashima found that doing simple math and reading aloud for just 30 minutes a day, five times a week, significantly improved cognitive and physical abilities in those with Alzheimer’s. In Japan, these activities are currently being done in over 1400 care centers with over 15,000 patients. Inspired by Dr. Kawashima’s work, BEI was established as an intergenerational nonprofit in which university students would hold brain exercise programs at retirement homes. BEI creates daily packets which include simple math, writing, and “read-alouds” that each individual completes with the guidance of university students. Several retirement homes have integrated the program into their center, and chapters are currently being founded at different universities. Not only does the Brain Exercise Initiative hope to improve the memory of those who have Alzheimer’s, but we also create an invaluable, all-too-rare avenue for intergenerational service, discussion, and collaboration.
The Penn chapter of the Brain Exercise Initiative is a student organization at the University of Pennsylvania that seeks to further these goals by sharing these exercises and working towards intergenerational understanding by serving those affected by Alzheimer’s in the Philadelphia area and beyond.
Here is some of the research that has been done already:
https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/research/research_highlights/research_highlight_22.html
https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/article/60/3/380/630607
We currently have chapters at 80+ universities including UCLA, Columbia, Cornell, Notre Dame, Brown and numerous others. We go to retirement homes and do simple math (addition, subtraction etc), reading aloud and writing (trivia) exercises with the elders.
If you have an interest in neuroscience and Alzheimer’s and enjoy volunteering with elders, this is the club for you!