ACTIVITIES TO
KEEP YOUR BRAIN SHARP
Kathryn Kilpatrick, M.A. CCC/SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Memory Fitness Specialist
Geriatric Communication Consultant
www.memoryfitnessmatters.com
“Memory Matters” for ALL Ages
Weekly Hudson Cable TV show now on YouTube
Corresponding blogs with details
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
IMPORTANT TO
SUCCESSFUL AGING
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Plan to be old
Stay involved with others
 Family, friends, church, interest groups
 Do not just hang out with people your own
age
Get help early - do not wait for crisis
Know where to go for information and resources
BLUE ZONES - http://www.bluezones.com/
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
FILL IN THE MISSING VOWELS
L __ __ r n __ n g
__s
__
t r __ __ s __ r __
w h __ c h
__ c c __ m p __ n __ __ s
__ t s
__ w n __r
__ v __ r y w h __ r __.
CHINESE PROVERB
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
COMPONENTS OF YOUR PLAN
WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP YOUR BRAIN CHALLENGED?
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TO UPGRADE YOUR CURRENT PLAN
Unplug from your automatic pilot
2. Learn to be good company for yourself
3. Find something to wake up for
4. Lose yourself in a project
5. Try an old thing in a new way
1.
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
IN THE NEWS 1955
• The National Hurricane Center was established in
Florida.
• Ann Landers launched her advice column in the
Chicago-Sun Times.
• Columbia Records organized a record club.
ON THE SCENE
Kentucky Fried Chicken
Ford Thunderbird
Special K
H & R Block
Play-Doh
Matchbox cars
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
RESEARCH
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Brain is a dynamic organ
 Continually rewires and adapts
Varied experiences help brain develop
greater number of nerve cell connections
Brain fitness depends on combining a
variety of challenging activities
No shortcuts for physical health
No magic bullets for brain health
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
KEYS TO MEMORY FITNESS
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Positive attitude
Pay attention
Organize
Good nutrition
Adequate sleep
Exercise
Stress reduction strategies
Use memory props
Memory fitness routine
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
LIST POSITIVE WORDS
LAST NAMES, CITIES, GRATITUDE
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
NAMING
Fruits
A________ B________ C________ D_________
Foreign Languages
F__________G________ H_________ I__________
Baked Goods
B_________ C________ D________ E__________
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
DO YOU REMEMBER….. 1955
What was established in Florida?
 What column was launched?
 What happened in the music industry?
_____________________________________________
Fast Food
Automobile
Taxes
Cereal
Toy
Modeling compound
_________________________________________________
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“Learning is the treasure which
__________ __ ______ ____________.”
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
PAYING ATTENTION
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS
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The man who opened the cash register was
the owner.
The man appeared after the owner turned
off his store lights.
The robber was a man.
Only 4 people were referred to: the owner of
the store, the man who demanded the
money and the two members of the police
force.
FROM Brainfit by Gediman with Crinella
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
ORGANIZE
RECALL THIS SEQUENCE
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APPLES
PAPER TOWELS
CRACKERS
ORANGES
WINDEX
PRETZELS
YOGURT
BUTTER
Strategies
What works for you?
Lists
Location in store
Categories
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
MNEMONICS
• Planets
My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas
• Great Lakes
S H O M E or H O M E S
• Colors of the Rainbow
Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
WORD GAMES
CHANGE ONE LETTER
rear
reap
real
read
lead
head
heal
zeal
UNSCRAMBLE 1990’s
WLA NAD RORDE
HBULBE SETELCPOE
ITTACIN
TLEHMA NAD SLUIOE
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
SHOPPING LIST OF
HEALTHY FOODS
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sifh
bibleerrseu
nshicpa
alunswt
aisnrg
trarocs
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broccoli
avocado
ginger
olive oil
kale
green tea
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
MEMORY FITNESS
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Stop snacking on junk TV
Keep current on topics of interest
Be open to new information
 Listen to other people’s perspectives
Learn one new thing each day
Refuse to be bored
Be curious
MORE INFORMATION
http://www.connectionsincommunication.com/index.php/kathrynsblogs/eldercare-link
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
YOUR WORKOUT PROGRAM
Need to think while doing the activity
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Playing cards, doing puzzle, word games
Do a familiar activity a new way
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Drive a different route
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Use your other hand
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Mow lawn in a different pattern
Ongoing learning process
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New hobby
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Use other options on electronic device
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Study a subject of interest
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
ACTIVITY PROGRAM….MORE
Makes you think in a new way
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Learn a new dance step
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Present the opposite opinion
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Reorganize a storage area
Physical activity
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Do a new form of exercise
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Do it with a group
Socially interactive
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Group trips, take class, join book club
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
HOW MANY CAN YOU NAME??
•
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•
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•
•
Animals
Last names
States that border a body of water
Things larger than a suitcase
Places you would like to visit
Things that are in your garage
Streets within a mile of your home
Countries in Europe
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
WORD GAME - TABOO
THERMOS
QUARTET
What words can you think of
to get someone to guess
the word above?
What words can you think of
to get someone to guess
the word above?
CANNOT USE
Bottle
Hot
Cold
Lunch box
Drinks
CANNOT USE
Foursome
Barbershop
Music
Group
Singers
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
GESTURE
TOBACCO
POPSICLE
EAVESDROP
SPLASH
FOOTPRINT
Wash your hair and brush your teeth
Drive the car to get a haircut
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
MULTIPLE MEANINGS
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NAIL
• Desert
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PALM
• Close
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CURB
• Does
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SISTER
• Leaves
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WATCH
• Right
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
WHAT DO THESE HAVE
IN COMMON?
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racecar

madam
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rotator
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kayak
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solos
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a toyota
More ??????
• bob
•
•
•
•
•
(emordnilap)
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
UPGRADE YOUR
BRAIN ACTIVITY
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Reading
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Playing cards
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read aloud
new subject matter
retell what you read
teach someone
play with new partners
Puzzles
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try a different kind
fill in with your non-dominant hand
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
FIND THE COMMON WORD
• horse _________
______ paper
• rain
_________
______ tail
• crab __________
______ sauce
• scatter ________
______ wash
• stage _________
_______ man
• flat
________
______ ball
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
NAME RECALL
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Pay attention
Ask for a repetition – spelling - nickname
Link it to your long term memory
Create a name rhyme
Notice..notice
Ask questions and be curious
Use it in the conversation
Repeat it at the end
Use memory props
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Lists
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Word picture combo
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2 word choices
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Name tags
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
CONNECTING THE GENERATIONS
TELL YOUR STORY
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Ask the younger person
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Ask the older person
What would you do if you
could not watch TV?
How has TV change since
you started watching it?
If you could be a TV
personality for day, who
would it be?
If you could be on a TV
episode, what would it
be?
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
USE YOUR STRATEGIES
ERRANDS
WORD RECALL
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Stop at the ATM
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Get an oil change
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Drop off laundry
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Pick up birthday
card
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Order a pizza
Puddle
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Mow the lawn
Checkbook
Rooster
Post office
Pediatrician
Train
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
BRAIN TEASERS
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NAME THE CANDY
Superman’s favorite
hangout
Round flotation
device
Cannot hold onto
anything
Nut happy
Two female
pronouns
UNSCRAMBLE WORDS
Use ONLY 3 syllables
FRAS SAS FUL SA
ON GLE LEM ADE
AL WIN RY CAV
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
FIND NEW THINGS TO TRY
BRAIN BENDERS
Ci ii
DR.
MIND
MATTER
DO
T4224T
MONTH
MONTH
DEW
Copyright 2015 Memory Fitness Matters
RAGNISIN
HOUR
HOUR
B
E
OPEN
D
UPGRADE YOUR ROUTINE
COMPLETE THE PATTERN
0 ½ 1½ 3
April
August
December
February
January
July
June
_____
5 7½ ___
USE 3 TO MAKE A WORD
DI
IT
POS IVE
AL WIN RY CAV
FRAS SAS SA
FUL
CO NY BAL TER
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
HAVE FUN!!!! SHARE THE EXPERIENCE
• Make list – help associate items with one another
places visited, least favorite foods, best gifts
• Observation game for day – helps attention
what people are wearing, anything green
• Go a different way – good for spatial memory
different side streets, different order in store
• Make simple changes – brain needs get in gear
use your other hand, eat dessert first,
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
MOTIVATION
IS WHAT GETS YOU STARTED.
HABIT
IS WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING.
JIM RYUH
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
7 DAY MEMORY FITNESS PLAN
Details at www.memoryfitnessmatters.com
Monday:
Create a positive mindset. Attitude matters.
Tuesday:
Improve your ability to pay attention. Be in the present moment.
Wednesday:
Upgrade lifestyle choices. Better choices improve your focus.
Thursday:
Develop effective memory props.
Friday:
Socialize and stay connected with others.
Saturday:
Incorporate new ways to challenge your brain.
Sunday:
Create a better balance in your life.
Memory Fitness Matters 2015
RESOURCES
Visit memoryfitnessmatters.com
for memory blogs and more products
Contact Kathryn Kilpatrick for a personalized
memory fitness plan and memory coaching
Consultation available for those diagnosed
with memory loss.
MEMORY TOOLKIT

Walking the Path to Memory Fitness and Brain Teasers
4 NEW PRODUCTS ON FLASH DRIVE ONLY

Word challengers, Visual Brain Games, Numerical Brain
Games, and Verbal Brain Games.
Memory Fitness Matters 2015