Doctors have always told us that keeping our bodies physically fit is an important part of overall well-being as we age, but keeping your brain in shape is an equally important part of living a healthy, vibrant life.

Why Is Brain Fitness Important?

Everyone experiences a gradual decline in memory, attention, concentration, language use, and other brain functions as they age. The older adult brain commonly learns shortcuts to make everyday tasks easier, making it more likely that individuals won’t use their brains in ways that sustain cognitive abilities. The average older brain actually shrinks because people don’t use it as much as they used to. When it comes to the brain you literally have to “use it or lose it,” and targeted cognitive exercises that meet specific scientific standards have been proven to be the most effective in improving memory and keeping the brain fit and active.

That’s why Capital Health Plan will soon offer brain fitness programs from Posit Science, the leading provider of clinically validated brain health products and services.

Posit Science InSight™

Beginning in January, CHP members who are aged 65 years or more will be able to order a software copy of InSight, a Posit Science program that is designed to speed up and sharpen visual processing and memory, important parts of overall brain fitness. There is no additional out-of-pocket cost for CHP members.

Posit Science works with more than 50 leading scientists from universities around the world to develop computer programs that give the brain a workout. Proven effective in dozens of published studies, Posit Science brain fitness programs improve memory, increase brain speed, and help people get the most out of life.

Clinical trials prove InSight helps older adults:

• Drive more safely—drivers can avoid collisions by almost 40% by cutting down on dangerous driving moves, such as unsafe lane changes

• Capture more visual details when scanning medication labels, traveling, house hunting, or doing any vision-rich task

• React more quickly when playing sports, walking in a crowded area, and other situations that require quick responses to visual information

Studies have also proven that InSight helps older adults maintain their health-related quality of life and prolong their ability to live independently, along with many other benefits.

How Do Posit Science Programs Work?

Experts used to believe that the adult brain was unchangeable, like a computer with all of its parts permanently welded together, but scientists now know that declines in cognitive abilities are not inevitable—or irreversible. The brain has the ability to physically change throughout a person’s life, even to grow new cells. This phenomenon, called brain plasticity, is how people learn and remember everything during their lives, from learning how to talk, to playing a musical instrument, to driving a car.

Posit Science programs exercise the brain and drive physical changes that create new neural pathways and connections. These positive changes can directly improve memory, attention, and other cognitive abilities.

Current members who are age 65 or older and who will be CHP members in 2009 may pre-register for the program by calling 1-877-582-1852, 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY/TDD users, please call 850-383-3534 or 1-800-955-8771.

How many of us can say we’ve never had neck or back pain? Not many. Studies show that more than 80% of people between 20 and 60 will experience at least one episode of back pain in their lifetime. Once it happens, the chance of reoccurrence within three years is 80–90%. This high incidence, along with the cost of treatment, has made spinal pain the most researched medical condition in the past 30 years. Real advances have come from the research: effective, validated methods to assess, treat, and prevent these painful conditions.

Our Program for Members.

In response to these studies, CHP and the Center for Orthopedics and Sports Physical Therapy (COSPT) have developed the Back and Neck Program. This evidence-based program uses the process known as Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) to evaluate spinal pain. Research has shown the initial MDT assessment process is reliable in determining the source of the problem. MDT is a philosophy of active patient involvement and education. Trusted and used by practitioners and patients around the world, this approach continues to be the most researched conservative care method available for back, neck, and extremity problems. The therapy’s success relies on three key steps: (1) assessment, (2) treatment, and (3) preventive strategy. All of the clinicians involved in the Back and Neck Program are credentialed in MDT and well trained to manage most spinal conditions. They will work with your primary care physician to find the best solution for you. The goals are to reduce pain, restore function, and give the patient tools to prevent recurrences.

A Two-Year Record of Success.

The program has had great success, demonstrated by data collected for the past two years. To date 252 CHP members have participated in the study, allowing us to track their outcomes using pain and function scores as a benchmark. In less than four visits, pain scores dropped from an average of 53/100 at initial evaluation to 10.6/100 at discharge. Function scores or physical activity scores improved from 57.5/100 at initial evaluation to 91.2/100 at discharge from the program. Recurrence of the pain occurred in less than 20% of the population, compared to 80–90% in the general population receiving usual care. This is a program that promotes the body’s ability to heal without medication, surgery, or dependence on practitioners.

In a Patient’s Own Words.

Deanna Barath reports of her experience in the Back and Neck Program:

I was in a horrible car accident one year ago and could barely walk, sit, or stand for even short periods of time. The medication I took for the pain in my legs did very little to change my symptoms. I’ve been receiving therapy for about two months—5 to 6 visits—and never thought in such a short time I could feel this great! Asking for something more than drug therapy was the best question I ever asked.

If you feel the Back and Neck Program could benefit you, discuss it with your primary care physician or contact COSPT to learn more (850-656-1837). No authorization is necessary.

CHP Is Medicare Made Easy

Medicare Sales Representative

People eligible for Medicare can look forward to a lot when they join a Capital Health Plan Medicare Advantage plan. They’re not only joining the Southeast’s top-ranked Medicare plan; they’re receiving benefits in Capital Health Plan style. What does this mean? Ease, extra benefits, expansive physician network, local member service, and the savings of a nonprofit organization.

Additionally, CHP members enjoy the ease of “one-stop shopping” where they can find eye care, lab services, and physicians (accepting Medicare members) at our two conveniently located facilities. Radiology/imaging is also available at our Governor Square location.

CHP Medicare Advantage provides members with:

• CHP’s extensive network of primary care physicians and other health care providers
• worry-free travel knowing they have coverage for emergencies anywhere in the world.
• a nationwide network of over 62,000 pharmacies for prescription drug coverage
• a local customer-service team available to meet with them anytime Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• no need to file claims with Medicare
• full enrollment in the government’s Medicare program with all of its covered services, rights, and protections
• additional services from Capital Health Plan
• $150 toward eyeglasses every two years
• $150 health center reimbursement each year
• CHP Health Coaching: expert answers to your personal health questions

The annual Medicare election period is November 15 through December 31. In this period non-CHP members can join one of our Medicare plans, and current CHP members can change Medicare plans.

Capital Health Plan offers three different Medicare plans and makes it easy to learn details through seminars, brochures, and online resources. Visit our web site at www.capitalhealth.com to learn more, or contact CHP Member Services 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week at 850-523-7441 or 1-877-247-6512 (TTY users 850-383-3534 or 1-800-955-8771).

Benefits, formulary, pharmacy, network, premium, and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1, 2009. Please contact CHP for details. Capital Health Plan is a health plan with a Medicare contract.

Check out these upcoming free, informative seminars. Call 850-523-7333 for more information or to RSVP.

Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, MD Chief Medical Officer

Q: What activities really help in avoiding mental decline as we age?

That’s a great question—for one reason because you assume brain power need not diminish with time. You’re right. As our cover story explains, scientists now know that brain cells and neural pathways can grow throughout life. Yes, the brain does shrink from age (particularly from about the 60s on), but many easy, everyday activities counteract the process and its mental losses.

1. Move it or lose it.

You may be surprised at the premier strategy for keeping your brain sharp: physical exercise. The scientific evidence is clear. Just walking 30–60 minutes several times a week has a big impact on the brain’s “executive functions”: planning, focusing, working memory (for example, retaining a phone number as you dial), multitasking, and making good behavior choices. More exercise increases the benefit. Lifelong exercisers show better mental functioning and less incidence of Alzheimer’s than sedentary people. However, even inactive people of 70 years and older improve cognitive performance with regular exercise. Why? Physical activity improves blood vessel health (blood flow to the brain) and releases proteins that grow neurons and their connections. The brain shrinks less.

2. Use it or lose it.

Seek out mental stimulation and training, like the coming InSight™ program for CHP seniors (see page 1). Research shows that learning something new (a language, sport, skill) or improving visual and aural acuity leads to overall improvement in brain function. Practicing a specific task (memory of names, for example) has a more limited benefit.

3. Get connected.

Social ties keep your brain livelier. In a study of 2,800 people aged 65 or older, those with at least five social ties suffered less cognitive decline than those without ties. Having connections doesn’t mean a social whirl. The ties included church and social groups, regular visits, and phone calls. Walk with a friend. Your brain gets a double boost!

4. Eat to think.

Some nutrients, such as antioxidants, appear to protect our brains—and they’re in tasty foods. Many experts recommend diets rich in colorful fruits (berries, raisins, prunes, oranges, red grapes), dark-colored vegetables (spinach, kale, eggplant), and fish with omega-e fatty acids (salmon, trout).

So . . . move, learn, socialize, eat well, and stay smart! It’s your choice. Live well.