Our Readers Comment On... Playing Poker to Fight Mental Deterioration as We Age Seniors Scene By George "The Engineer" Epstein
In the July 14 issue of Poker Player, my column on “Play Poker: No More Alzheimer’s” elicited comments from readers. I’m not surprised. Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of mental deterioration are of ever increasing concern, especially as our population ages and we live longer (and, hopefully, healthier) lives. My point was — and still is — if you are a senior citizen, playing poker will help you ward off the onset of that horrible Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or mental deterioration that often come with aging.
Alzheimer’s Disease is a Growing Concern.
One reader sent me a clipping from the Los Angeles Times (August 19, 2003) with the headline: “Alzheimer’s Cases May Triple.” By the year 2050, more than 13 million people in the U.S. are likely to suffer from this terrible disease. (Currently, there are about 4.5 million afflicted in the U.S.) According to Dr. Jeffrey Cummings of UCLA’s Alzheimer’s disease center, it “will become an increasingly frequent disease and a major challenge to society and to public health.”
Drugs are Being Developed.
Scientists are developing drugs that replace a key chemical in the brain found to be deficient in Alzheimer’s sufferers, and therapies with vitamin E to fight off free radicals that can attack brain cells or neurons. Could be BIG business for the pharmaceutical manufacturers — probably exceeding Viagra in profit potential. Personally, I’d rather not depend on drugs unless I have to.
Better Ways.
Another reader e-mailed me an article from the Washington Post (June 19, 2003): “Mind Games May Trump Alzheimer’s.” This one I really warmed to. It referred to the same study I had cited from the New England Journal of Medicine. Perhaps the most interesting part of the Washington Post article was a quote from Joe Verghese, a neurologist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Referring to elderly patients with memory complaints, he said: “One thing I advise is for them to increase their participation in cognitively stimulating activities.” Joseph Coyle, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, explained why this is so: “Using the mind actually causes rewiring of the brain, sprouting new synapses — it may even cause the generation of new neurons.”
Now, that makes good sense. . .
So Play More Poker. . . All the more reason that we seniors — and those approaching retirement — ought to play more poker. By the very nature of the game, poker is truly “cognitive stimulating.” Of course you want to be a WINNER at the game while you’re protecting your mental health. . .
One key to that is to remember to play — or invest your chips — only in starting hands that have a good chance of ending up taking the pot. (My book lists the starting hands that fall into this category.) That’s often true in life too. That’s why top baseball players don’t swing at every pitch; they wait for the “right one.” Of course, that takes self-discipline, especially patience. Then too, to be a consistent winner, you want to be alert — to give your full attention to the game so you make the right decisions. Self-discipline and alertness involve mental processes that contribute to keeping your mind healthy — while they also help you to leave the poker table a WINNER!
So what’s your opinion?
George “The Engineer” Epstein is the author of The Greatest Book of Poker for Winners! (T/C Press, PO Box 36006, Los Angeles, CA 90036) A retired engineer who received many industry and government awards and commendations, he continues to be active by consulting, editing an international technical newsletter, teaching an engineering course at UCLA, and serving as an officer in a professional engineering society. One engineering society has a scholarship in George’s honor. In writing his poker book, he applied the lessons learned and experience while working as an engineer to solve problems. He is currently writing his next book on The Four Rules for Success in Life and Living. Reach George by e-mail: geps222@msn.com.
This article was published in the Sep 22nd 2003 edition of Poker Player
George “The Engineer” Epstein is the author of The Greatest Book of Poker for Winners! (T/C Press, PO Box 36006, Los Angeles, CA 90036) A retired engineer who received many industry and government awards and commendations, he continues to be active by consulting, editing an international technical newsletter, teaching an engineering course at UCLA, and serving as an officer in a professional engineering society. One engineering society has a scholarship in George’s honor. In writing his poker book, he applied the lessons learned and experience while working as an engineer to solve problems. He is currently writing his next book on The Four Rules for Success in Life and Living. Reach George by e-mail: 
