Did you know that according to a US department of statistics report, older adults were nine times more likely to be turning left when involved in an accident and that most automobile accidents involving older drivers occur in left hand turn situations? Why do you suppose that is? After all, a left hand turn is a simple thing isn’t it?

 

All that any driver turning left has to decide is, whether the cars in the cross lanes are obeying the light, how long the amber will last, what is the speed of the oncoming car, what is my speed, am I in the correct lane, is this actually the street I want, is there an advanced left turn arrow, should I stop, should I wait, if I turn will I make it, if I don’t turn will the light change, why is the guy behind me blowing his horn, can I get past the car nosing out on my left, should I wait and go behind him, and after deciding that, how quickly can I react and get my self into gear and do the turn, all while enduring noise from the radio and instructions from the back seat driver. Phew!

As we age the ability to process information slows. We can see that making a left hand turn is really a very  complicated task cognitively. It is no wonder that seniors venture out less and less, and become trapped in a downward spiral of social withdrawal, increasing confinement and immobility. We see also a larger overall erosion of self assurance that can come with “normal” aging and “normal” cognitive decline. It does not need to happen!

Performance at simple mental tasks is highly predictive of crash risk and a small amount of cognitive training can cut the crash risk of older drivers in half, according to research presented this week at the 2010 annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences.

This year, the age wave of 70 million baby boomers begins to join the ranks of some 39 million drivers already over age 65. Over time, older drivers tend to reduce their driving, but they still have a crash rate that is the highest of any age group, other than teenagers. Older drivers have the highest fatality rate from automobile crashes of all age groups. Yet, in our society "hanging up the keys" can be devastating and can lead to higher incidence of illness and death.

Researchers presented findings that indicate that the crash risk of older drivers can be more accurately predicted, that it can be cut in half, and that older drivers can extend their period of safe driving.

 

Brain training cuts the crash risk of older drivers in half

The scientific community now accept that our brain retains its plasticity - the ability to rewire itself for better function - throughout life. Given that fact, the Oxford Journals have this year published 2 very important and recently concluded studies for us to consider, as reported in the Journal of Gerontology.

Both studies lasted three years, recognizing that as our population ages, interventions that can prolong safe driving

for older adults are increasingly important.

In both cases cognitive training to improve speed of processing was assigned randomly to the two test groups, as against the control groups who did not take cognitive training. In study 2, the cognitively trained group, doing only 9 or more training sessions have continued driving 40% more than the control group who were not given speed of processing training. In study 1 the cognitively trained speed of processing group also stayed more mobile, kept driving and showed less driving decline.

A third study which targeted speed of processsing training, tells us that participants maintained benefits of training for at least 2 years going forward, which translated to improvements in everyday abilities, including efficient performance of instrumental activities of daily living and safer driving performance.

The conclusions are straightforward. Cognitive speed of processing training can not only improve cognitive performance but also protect against mobility declines among older drivers. Scientifically proven cognitive training regimens have the potential to enhance the everyday lives of older adults.

Cognitive speed of processing training has proven so efffective that insurance premiums are being reduced in some jurisdictions, for those drivers who have partaken of it!

The Benefits do not end there.

You will Gain focus, concentration, confidence and competence.

Brain Magic uses the most sophisticated and effective brain training protocol available.

While the working memory training that we do targets a very specific brain function, this function proves key to every conscious mental process. Whether we are reading, writing, speaking, listening, solving problems, playing an instrument, or just plain thinking, working memory and focus come into play.

You can find meaning in confusion such as sorting out noisy restaurant conversation. Have the ability to draw inferences and understand the relationships of various concepts to heighten your philosophical and analytical grasps.

The Brain Magic journey is an exciting one. This no nonsense, challenging, and habituating brain exercise, will guide you on your home computer through a series of steps which consult you and adapt to you throughout the process. Along the way, the format changes in style and structure, and as your abilities grow, that growth leads to competence and up you go. The degree of gain is dose dependent. So enjoy the training and for those of you taking monthly, quarterly or yearly memberships, remember, the more you train, the more you gain.

Brain Plasticity: you CAN teach an Old Dog new Tricks

http://www.noprobo.com/posts/brain-plasticity-you-can-teach-an-old-dog-new-tricks

The Longitudinal Impact of Cognitive Speed of Processing Training on Driving Mobility

http://gerontologist.oxfordjournals.org/content/49/4/485.short

Cognitive Speed of Processing Training Delays Driving Cessation

http://biomedgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/64A/12/1262.abstract?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=COGNITIVE+TRAINING&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=

0&resourcetype=HWCIT

The Impact of Speed of Processing Training on Cognitive and Everyday Functions

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17565162

 

Speed-of-Processing and Driving Simulator Training Result in Improved Driving Performance

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19220558?ordinalpos=1&itool=PPMCLayout.PPMCAppController.PPMCArticlePage.PPMCPubmedRA&linkpos=2

Driving Cessation and Health Trajectories in Older Adults

http://biomedgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/64A/12/1290.abstractmaxtoshow=&hits=

10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=driving+cognitive+training&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=

0&resourcetype=HWCIT

 

 

Examination of Cognitive and Instrumental Functional Performance as Indicators for Driving Cessation Risk Across 3 Years

resourcetype=HWCIT

 

 

Computer Exercises Improve Memory And Attention, Study Suggests

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090211161932.htm

 

Specialists study Brain plasticity and its Transformative Potential

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/588275

 

 

 

Brain Exercise can enhance Memory, Thinking In Adults

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071119100331.htm

 

Cognitive training can alter the biochemistry of the brain http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090206081507.htm

Unexpected Side Effect: Makes You Happier

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/142612.php