Engaging Seniors through Chess, Arts and Service -- Cloned

“ Can regular games of bridge and chess or playing a musical instrument ward off the onset of Alzheimer’s disease? That is a provocative implication of a study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine a few years ago.”

A program for seniors was launched based on this study and the extensive existing research conducted on chess and cognition. Learning and playing chess benefits memory, concentration, problem solving and many other skills that deteriorate when a person suffers from Dementia. So if seniors are engaged in chess can they “ward off the onset of Alzheimer’s” as the above article notes?

An inter generational chess program was started at two Senior Living facilities in Barrington in collaboration with the non-profit, Chess Without Borders and Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health. A few years ago Nine-year-old Ethan Gagliano volunteered to teach residents at Lake Barrington Woods Senior Living every week. Ethan did this for 7 weeks and the program was a phenomenal success. Based on this success another program was launched this summer incorporating other arts such as screening videos, bringing music, dance and service to seniors at Sunrise Seniors Living in Barrington and Bloomingdale, IL.

The direct goal of the program is to bring non-drug interventional programs to Senior Living Centers in order to promote active learning, leadership programs and community engagement. Seniors offer a wealth of diversity, knowledge and experiences. Youth in turn develop character, empathy, engagement in social issues and the powerful knowledge that they can make positive contributions in peoples lives.

Ethan Gagliano (from middle school) and Prathik Kandimalla (from Barrington High School) taught chess to seniors resulting in a resident Alice saying, " I did not think it would be so easy to play". Ethan Gagliano and Jack Bongiorno (from elementary school) screened a short documentary about their work that was enjoyed by residents. " Wow that was fun" said Ellen. A few months ago twins Sanjaya and Sahitya Maheswaram (elemenary school) performed a dance in one of the facilities and the residents were awestruck at the music and performance. Resident Fanny said, " I could not do that". Prashant and Pranav Ramachandra (middle school) delighted residents with classical music on their violins last Christmas. They had to repeat some numbers as the residents loved listening to them. One of the seniors even picked up her guitar and joined in playing with them. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4Ycsf3qgOW-Y1l6YzVMNlNJZlU/view?ts=57957dc8

Ayushi and Aryan Shah (middle and elementary school respectively) have engaged residents with their regular visits this summer forming bonds with residents and staff as well. Youth are collaborating with staff to bring Art Exhibitions of talented residents much to the excitement of the resident artist., " Boy I have to ask my children to bring out my best stuff for my exhibition", said Kelly.

When teaching chess volunteers use the curriculum provided in the textbook at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/chess!-lessons-from-grandmaster/id589939284?mt=11. The project consists of their teaching chess in a methodical manner using their skills as chess players. The elderly offer their emotional and social skills during the learning process and this exchange mutually benefits both the givers and receivers.

The indirect goal is to use the cognitive and social benefits from chess, the arts and service to improve memory, concentration, problem solving skills and decision making for seniors. Leadership programs for the youth raise their self-esteem enabling them to challenge themselves further.

These volunteers have created innovative social programs and are part of an award-winning team. Visit http://patch.com/illinois/barrington-il/developing-entrepreneurship-humanitarian-ventures

Since its inception in 1999 youth in the chess program were active in various nursing homes even hosting a chess tournament in 2000 in a nursing home in Barrington.

Youth volunteers represent Chess Without Borders at the UN Youth Assembly in New York where they meet 300 other youth volunteers from around the world to engage in global humanitarian issues. The team has raised over $130,000 for local and global charities through their service commitments.

For more information about their impact visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQe0Y1FT3Co

“The capacity of an individual with mental or behavioral problems to respond to mental health interventions knows no end-point in the life cycle. Even serious mental disorders in later life can respond to clinical interventions and rehabilitation strategies aimed at preventing excess disability in affected individuals.”

C Everett Koop, Surgeon General’s Workshop: Health Promotion and Aging, 1988

Many adults collaborate with youth to make these ventures possible.Their generosity of spirit and ideas are important examples for youth.

Please call us for any ideas on how this program can improve.

Kiran Frey MD (Physician Psychiatrist at ABCMH)