care ADvantages Interview with Patrick Ellis

Based on care ADvantage's™ (a quarterly magazine published by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America - AFA) interview with Patrick Ellis, a chess coach and founder of The Silver Knights, Scollsdate, AZ, an organization of volunteers that teaches chess to seniors at long-term care residences and will soon introduce an online chess course via webcam. Ellis, 52, has been playing chess since junior high school.

Caregivers: Put on Your Game Face

Get out your bishops, knights, queens and kings and et the games begin! Chess—its one of the world's most popular games. And, today, based on growing research, it is increasingly viewed as a mentally simulating activity that can help brain health. Why? The challenges are endless. Since the non-tech, hobby offers limitless possibilities, you can never play the same game twice unless you do it on purpose! So caregivers, who can squeeze in some time, might want to tackle this great brain exercise! (Complicated, games like this typically are a challenge for people with dementia, since you don't want them to experience repeated failure. "People with very mild Alzheimer's disease who are high
functioning may well be able to learn games like chess. However, for most people, it. is best to stick to familiar mental activities. The key is to train but not strain the brain, "said Gary W. Small, M.D., director of the UCLA Center on Aging, LOS Angeles.)

Try it. To play the game, newcomers must be able to be open to learning and have the ability to "learn" retaining the fact that, say, a bishop is a bishop and a pawn is a pawn.
Buy a standard set. The classic is a Staunton chess set, which has pieces that are easy to use and universally identified. Sometimes with a fancy set, it's hard to tell a bishop from a knight.
Create the right environment. Leave the board set up, so it's sitting right there when you want to play; besides, a chess set looks nice on display in any house. Ensure good lighting and comfortable chairs, and play soft background music, if desired. Eliminate distractions so you can concentrate.
Play by the rules. Go through the instructions, silently or aloud, until yon understand them and then start practicing, a half-hour to one hour each day. You don't, learn chess by listening to a lecture; you learn by playing.
Seek some guidance. It's like any game you play; it often takes a coach at first to teach the right principles and moves, and to get people motivated and disciplined, get out local chess clubs, online sites, independent coaches or even a neighbor.
Have fun. Chess can be a great social event. It's not how well you play; it's also about the fun of learning and socializing.
Be an onlooker. If the hobby proves too complicated, it can still be enjoyable to watch others play—and cheer them on.

Below is the letter sent to Patrick advising him of the article from Carol Steinberg, Editor-in-Chief and Executive Vice President, AFA.

care ADvantage

for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's Disease and related illnesses

322 Eighth Avenue, 6th Floor ■ New York, NY 10001
(866) AFA-8484 ■ Fax: (646) 638-1546 ■ This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Patrick Ellis
President
The Silver Knights
6854 East Kelton Lane
Scottsdale, AZ 85254

November 7, 2007

Dear Mr. Ellis,

I'm excited to enclose the Fall 2007 issue of care ADvantage™, published by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. The issue includes an article (page 36) about your
new venture. Thanks for providing me with the information. I wish you the best of luck with The Silver Knights.

Please let me know if you'd like more copies of this issue. There are subscription forms inside if you'd like to make copies to hand out to to clients and others who might benefit from the magazine.

Again, thanks for your generous contribution to care ADvantage™~and for helping us get this valuable information into the hands of those who need it.

Best,

Carol Steinberg
Editor-in-Chief
Executive Vice President, AFA