TORONTO — At 83 years old, Frank Flanagan is just starting to realize the benefits of a spa, sitting patiently through a manicure.
He is a member of an unique new day program for seniors, based in Markham.
Memory & Company Alzheimer’s Health Club not only offers a spa-like atmosphere, but takes part in research that looks at Alzheimer’s in a whole new way.
Among the offerings in the 11,000 square foot facility are a games room, theatre, music room, library and small putting green.
The idea is to give members a choice of what they want to do.
“Our members have options here and it’s not all about everybody sitting in a circle doing the same program, at the same time, all at different levels of need and care,” said Ashley Kwong, owner of Memory & Company.
Taking part in cutting edge research was a natural fit for the company.
Research at York University revolves around a deceivingly simple app, the “Brain Disfunction Indicator,” known as BRDI. It engages thinking and movement at the same.
On a touch screen the user has to track a round ball with a dot. The hard part is when the test is reversed; pushing up, sends the ball down, push left, it goes right and vice versa.
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Prof. Lauren Sergio said the breakthrough came when they realized that not only do people with Alzheimer’s struggle with the task, but so do undiagnosed people with a higher genetic risk of the disease.
She said it isn’t about whether one part of the brain works, or another part doesn’t, but how the front and back of the brain communicate.
Preliminary results showed those who keep that communication going by using BRDI, for even 10 minutes a day, saw their brain decline stop.
“We know it’s going to work, so we are very excited,” said Sergio.
There are very few people in the world looking at the connection between thinking and movement, as most research has focused on only one or the other.
The current version of BRDI is very simple, but the final one will look like a polished video game.
In the meantime, Flanagan’s wife is glad he is part of the research.
“I think anything people can do to assist in helping to find a cure and, or even some relief for the symptoms of Alzheimer’s is important,” said Sally Flanagan.
Kwong agrees a cure is the ultimate goal.
“Until then we’ve got to figure out how to live with this disease and slow it down,” she said.
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