SpringfieldNewsSun.com

Springfield, Ohio — Mattie Ullerich is a sharp woman, but at 88, she knows she's not as sharp as she used to be.

"Absolutely, I worry about (losing) my memory," she said.

That's why she was excited, Monday, Nov. 3 to try out Springfield Masonic Community's new cognitive fitness system designed to keep sharp minds sharp and stimulate other minds starting to slip.

Called the (m) Power, the interactive, touch screen computer stimulates the mind in six areas: long-term memory, short-term memory, critical thinking, visiospatial, calculation and language.

Paula Burgstaller, Masonic Community's director of activities, saw the program at a seminar.

"As soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it," Burgstaller said. "What it can do is priceless."

For Ullerich's first try, Burgstaller programmed her at one of the highest levels. Ullerich breezed through the first set of geography and math questions but started faltering at unscrambling words.

"That's fine," Burgstaller told Ullery, "It will back down in the areas where you're not strong."

In her areas of strength?

"Those will keep getting harder," Burgstaller said.

While Ullerich took a short break, Burgstaller demonstrated the easiest level, which focused on familiar items — this example was a violin — and used an old clip of Jack Benny to jog the player's memory of the violin's sound.

"I can see how this would stimulate your brain," Ullerich said when she was done, "I'd use it daily if I had one within range."

She will. The staff plans to move the unit between the independent living and assisted living areas of the community every day.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0347 or kmori@coxohio.com.