Playing with a Purpose: MahJongg for Memory

Tuesday, April 30th Bocage Racquet Club 2:00-4:00

To benefit Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area

Registration: $35 per person

Donation:

$20 or more - Flower

$40 or more - White Dragon

$60 or more - Green Dragon

$80 or more - Red Dragon

$100 or more - Bird Bam

On Tuesday, April 30th we will observe and celebrate National Mah Jongg Day by getting together to not only play the game we love, but to Play with a Purpose. This fundraising event will gather donations to support Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Region, a local non-profit organization serving the Greater Baton Rouge area by providing education and support programs to those affected by Alzheimer’s disease or other memory-related impairment.

Mah Jongg improves memory.

Many studies have shown the positive effect of mah jongg on the cognitive functioning of persons with mild-to-moderate dementia. Regardless of the frequency of playing, mah jongg produced consistent gains across all cognitive performance measures. Mah Jongg can preserve functioning or delay decline in specific cognitive domains, even in those with significant cognitive impairment.

Mah Jongg is a highly demanding mental game that requires players to memorize certain terms and rules. It requires eye-hand coordination. Players need to make quick decisions, and maintain attention control; thereby enhancing short term memory, attention and logical reasoning capability. Each game is a new exercise presenting a completely different combination of stimuli for the players. The benefit of the social interaction helps protect against the worsening of mental health issues of depression or loneliness.

Mah Jongg is a tile-based game, similar to rummy, that was originally created in China in the mid-1800’s. More and more people have recently discovered the joy and excitement of this fast-paced game. They enjoy it for the beautiful tiles, the intricacies of the game and the social aspects of getting together for a fun and relaxing few hours.