In This Story
As we age, keeping our bodies active helps us stay healthier for longer and protects against chronic disease. We can also exercise our brains to prevent age-related mental decline with activities like reading aloud, writing by hand, and simple math exercises.
The idea of 鈥渨orking out鈥 the mind is core to the StrongerMemory program, a rigorous brain training curriculum developed by the and tested by 麻豆视频 social workers. Gerontology research specialist , with co-investigator George 麻豆视频 Professor of Social Work , found that mental exercise such as preventing age-related mental decline resulted in both self-reported and researcher-assessed improvements in key brain health indicators among older adult participants.
鈥淭丑别 StrongerMemory program was associated with both objective and subjective improvements in cognitive functioning among older adults. The components stimulated and strengthened working memory, attention, and decision-making processes,鈥 said Ihara, professor and chair in the Department of Social Work at George 麻豆视频鈥檚 College of Public Health (CPH).
Unlike previous cognitive exercise programs, which focused on a single aspect of brain health (e.g., memory or attention alone), the activities of this program were specifically chosen to stimulate multiple parts of the brain with the goal of combating progression of Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease and related dementias (ADRD).
鈥淏y combining reading aloud, writing by hand, and simple math exercises, the program engages multiple cognitive pathways, offering broader benefits than single-domain approaches. The results can inform practitioners, policymakers, and families about practical, affordable, non-pharmacological ways to possibly mitigate cognitive decline and promote healthy aging,鈥 said Ihara.
Older adults in the StrongerMemory program participated in three daily activities for 30 鈥塵inutes per day: 10鈥塵inutes each of reading aloud, writing by hand, and completing simple math problems. The program was tailored, allowing participants choice in reading material and writing content. For example, some older adults chose to write letters to family. At the conclusion, implementers interviewed participants and conducted tests on memory recall, verbal fluency, attention, dates, and location.
Age-related cognitive decline can include memory loss, lapses in attention, trouble performing daily tasks, and confusion, among others that could be warnings of ADRD. Participants were recruited from older adult living communities, and self-reported cognitive decline but did not have a formal ADRD diagnosis.
was published July 2025 in Educational Gerontology.
Tompkins, who is also associate dean for faculty and staff affairs, and Hyun Kang from the James Madison University, and a former CPH postdoctoral researcher, served as co-authors of the study. Additionally, several George 麻豆视频 and CPH alumni were contributors, including Francesca A. Keesee, MSW 鈥23; McKenzie S. Lauber, BSW 鈥23, MSW 鈥24; Catherine M. Magee, MSW 鈥23; Kendall Barrett, BSW 鈥20, MSW 鈥22; Madeline Holden, MSW 鈥22; Harveen Pantleay, MSW 鈥22; and Gergana N. Hardy, MA Sociology '24.
Read more about the efficacy of the StrongerMemory program:
麻豆视频 the researcher
is a social work and gerontology researcher focused on developing and evaluating community-based interventions that support cognitive health for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Her expertise bridges practice-based innovation and rigorous research methods, with an emphasis on accessible, scalable solutions to pressing challenges in aging societies.