Elder Care Firm August 2018

but your body is doing the same thing during the entire workout. This makes it a closed-skill sport. The same goes for swimming; you might have different strokes to choose from when you jump in the pool, but your brain is focused on repeating the action while doing your laps. Open-skill sports require players to respond to unpredictable circumstances in unpredictable ways. Fencing is a great open-skill sport because, while you have to learn the right way to hold the saber and move your body, you also have to think on your feet and react quickly to your opponent’s attacks. Researchers from the Foro Italico University of Rome believe that it’s the required adaptability that makes open-skill sports so good for your brain. You challenge your body with complex motor movements and your mind with fast decisions. In the study from PSE, the researchers reported that “the open-skill athletes used less brainpower to do the same thing than the closed-skill exercisers did.” WHAT’S THE BEST OPEN-SKILL SPORT? If fencing isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other great open-skill sports, including tennis, badminton, basketball, and racquetball. What are you waiting for? Swing by your local rec center and find out what open-skill sport will be your new favorite pastime! WANT TO IMPROVE BRAIN HEALTH? GRAB A SWORD! The Benefits of Open-Skill Sports Every year, more than 600 communities across the country take part in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. These Walks help raise awareness and donations for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. We are honored to support this incredible organization and hope you will join us on our mission this year. Last year, our team raised over $10,000, with many donations coming from our wonderful clients. Chris is a member of the board for the Brighton Walk and helped to raise more than $137,000 in total. We want to do even better for 2018. Our fundraising goal for the Brighton Walk is $160,000, and we’re hoping to enroll at least 1,000 participants this year. To do that, we need your help. This year’s walk will be held on Sept. 29. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at Bright Mill Pond. We’d love for you to contribute in any way you can, whether that’s by donating or signing up to participate. You can go to AlzElderCare.com to join our team. All ages and fitness levels are welcome, and every little bit helps. In closing, we want to thank everyone who’s helped us support the Brighton Walk to End Alzheimer’s in the past and everyone contributing to our efforts this year. Together, we can make a difference. Let’s make 2018 the best year yet for the Brighton edition of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Did you know fencing is making a comeback? No longer just for heartsick gentlemen of the Regency era, fencing is increasingly being taught in public schools, displayed in the pages of popular indie comics, and practiced among seniors. Plenty of baby boomers are picking up swords, or “sabers” — and it’s not because they’re preparing to fight dragons. Exercise is important no matter your age, but some activities are more beneficial than others. Research published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise (PSE) suggests activities defined as “open-skill sports,” like fencing, can do more to improve brain health than “closed-skill sports.” OPEN OR CLOSED? The difference between an open-skill sport and a closed-skill sport lies in the dynamic nature of the activity. Going for a jog is great for your heart health,

SUPPORT THE WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S

Join Us in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Because we work with families planning for later-life issues, battling Alzheimer’s is a cause near and dear to our hearts. Alzheimer’s and dementia are conditions we have to confront daily. We are dedicated to helping families affected by these conditions, and we do everything we can to raise awareness and promote research. One of the ways we work toward achieving this goal is through sponsoring the Brighton Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

2 • www.MichiganEstatePlanning.com

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