Evolution of program for maintaining mental fitness

Q: I have been reading about Mind Works. Where did you get the inspiration to start such a program?
A: The Mind Works program was born after I read the report of an experiment that was carried out at the University of California in Berkeley. This experiment involved a group of laboratory rats that were given very special treatment. They were given ladders to climb, tunnels to explore, and other kinds for fun-things to do with their days. In addition, the experimenters held the rats and truly gave them a great deal of attention.
When the rats died, it was discovered that the rats in the experiment had lived longer than the control group rats in the normal cages. But most amazing was the fact that the brains of the rats in the experiment had grown and changed.
The experimenters decided to try the same experiment again, but this time they used very old rats, rat Methuselahs, that in human


years would have been over ninety years of age. Again, the rats of the experiment lived
longer, and their brains had also grown and changed.
My thoughts turned to older adults. If they were given mental stimulation, might their brains benefit as well? What kinds of mental ladders and mental tunnels could I devise for them?
To engage the interest of older adults, any activities must be new, unusual, mentally stimulating, and above all, FUN. Also, all activities obviously must be introduced at a manageable level, and then made more difficult as participants are able to master them.
Many older adults feel insecure because of memory loss or reduced abilities for problem solving or rigorous thinking in general. The loss of need for such mental activity often results in a lower level of performance. The familiar "use it or lose it" situation.
The atmosphere in any Mind Works session is completely non-threatening. There is no competition to be first with an answer to a problem. In fact, those sitting in adjacent seats often solve a problem together, sharing ideas and getting to the solution more quickly.
After the Mind Works program was in operation, there was another experiment involving laboratory rats. This one involved more complex activities that the rats were required to learn before they could perform them. The brain changes were even more impressive than before.
After I read this experiment, I decided to change the Mind Works activities slightly and put more stress on learning in general, and on thinking in new ways. Fun remained the prime factor, however, and the sound most heard in any Mind Works session is still laughter.
To cite an example of possible effects of Mind Works, I want to remember a very special woman. Anne Stevens, who died recently, and been attending the Mind Works program for approximately fifteen years. At 91, she remained extremely mentally sharp and was willing, indeed eager, to attack any problem that I could present to the group. Her family was delighted with her abilities and seemed impressed that she wanted to tackle her "homework" that I assign each week, just as soon as she arrived home from her session.
She recently decided that she was no longer comfortable driving, but a friend, who is also a Mind Works participant, brought her each week. Anne took an active part in everything we did, made jokes when she felt the urge, and was an interacting member of the group. She will be missed so very much.