Brain Exercises for Seniors and their Fitness Perception - The Hartford

Brain Fitness Exercises Help Older Drivers Cut Accident Risk In Half - But Do They BelieveIt's True?New research from The Hartford shows public perception lags behind scientific realityHARTFORD, Conn., Jul 15, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Although there is a clinically proven brain fitness training tool that helpsolder adults reduce their likelihood of being in a car accident, according to a survey from The Hartford Financial ServicesGroup, Inc. (NYSE: HIG), 74 percent of drivers are unaware of those benefits. Playing the game-like, computer-based programDriveSharp(TM) for 20 minutes a day, three times a week helps older drivers cut their crash risk up to 50 percent, stop 22 feetsooner when driving 55 mph and increase confidence while driving at night and in stressful conditions."It is important for drivers to understand that they can take an active role in staying safe on the road as they age," said JodiOlshevski, gerontologist and assistant vice president of The Hartford. "We all have a responsibility to maintain our driving skillsthroughout our lifetime. DriveSharp is research-based program that helps older adults think faster, focus better and reactquicker on the road."About half of all adults surveyed believe older drivers can improve their skills to allow them to safely drive for more years, butdrivers under 40 are least likely to believe there is anything an older driver can do to improve their skills to allow them to drivesafely longer."DriveSharp is the only clinically proven program to improve the driving skills of older drivers," said Steven Aldrich, CEO, PositScience Corporation. "It was tested by a global team of more than 50 scientists and based on research funded by the NationalInstitutes of Health."The brain fitness survey also found that while more than 60 percent of adults participate in an activity with the specific purposeof improving their brain, adults 60+ are the most likely age group to say they often participate in activities with the specificpurpose of improving their brain.10 Brain Fitness TipsEat dark chocolate - Dark chocolate causes your brain to release dopamine, a chemical that improves overall brain functionand improves your memory.Eat fish - Studies suggest that a diet rich in fish - especially fatty fish like salmon - can improve brain function.Play ball - Throwing a ball up in the air and catching it, or better yet, trying your hand at juggling, can improve your hand-eyecoordination and carries widespread brain health benefits.Rest up - Getting a good night's sleep is critical to brain function, and particularly memory.Make your hobbies harder - Take on something a bit more difficult than you're used to. By putting higher demands on yourbrain, you will have to concentrate harder and re-engage your brain's learning ability.Walk on a rocky road - Scientists believe that walking on uneven surfaces like cobblestones improves the vestibular systemof the inner ear, which plays a central role in balance and equilibrium and translates to better balance.Visit a museum - Go on a guided tour and pay very careful attention to what you see and hear. When you get home, write anoutline of the tour that includes every detail you remember. Paying attention and practicing remembering can help the brainpump brain chemicals that assist memory and improve brain function.Exercise your brain - Use brain fitness exercises like DriveSharp that promotes the ability for drivers to think faster, focusbetter, and react more quickly.

Learn to play a new instrument - Playing an instrument helps you exercise many interrelated dimensions of brain function,including listening, control of refined movement, and translation of written notes (sight) to music (movement and sound).Use your other hand - While you may find it difficult at first, practicing an activity such as brushing your teeth with yoursubordinate hand can drive your brain to make positive changes.DriveSharp AvailabilityAs part of The Hartford's ongoing Safe Driving for a Lifetime public awareness campaign, The Hartford has partnered with PositScience, the maker of DriveSharp, to offer discounts on the brain fitness software. For a limited time, The Hartford will offer theDriveSharp software to the public for $10 off retail value at www.hartfordbrainfitness.com. In addition, for Hartford policyholderswho are the primary driver and complete the DriveSharp program (about 10 hours of training) - The Hartford will send a rewardcheck for $50.More information about brain fitness, free driving-wellness guidebooks, and interactive tools for older drivers and their families,as well as a blog community is available at www.safedrivingforalifetime.com.The Hartford Brain Fitness Survey was fielded in June 2010 and was completed by 2,500 members of a managed access panelwho were 18+ years-of-age and representative of the U.S. household population.About the Hartford Advance 50 TeamThe Hartford is one of the few companies in the United States with in-house experts on aging. For over 25 years, The Hartfordhas employed gerontologists to advance the creation and delivery of research, educational materials and innovative businesssolutions to enhance the quality of life for the 50+ market.About The HartfordCelebrating 200 years of helping its customers achieve what's ahead, The Hartford (NYSE: HIG) is an insurance and wealthmanagement company. Through its unique focus on customer needs, the company serves businesses and consumers byproviding the products and solutions they need to protect their assets and income from risks and manage their wealth andretirement needs. A Fortune 100 company, The Hartford is recognized widely for its service expertise and as one of the world'smost ethical companies. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at www.thehartford.com.About Posit SciencePosit Science is the leading provider of clinically proven brain fitness programs. Its science team is led by Dr. MichaelMerzenich, professor emeritus of neuroscience at University of California at San Francisco and member of the NationalAcademy of Sciences. The team includes more than 50 researchers and clinicians from leading institutions around the world.Some of the statements in this release may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private SecuritiesLitigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution investors that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of futureperformance, and actual results may differ materially. Investors should consider the important risks and uncertainties that maycause actual results to differ. These important risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those discussed in ourQuarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other filings we make with the Securities andExchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update this release, which speaks as of the date issued.HIG-PCSOURCE: The HartfordThe HartfordMichelle Loxton, 860-547-7413michelle.loxton@thehartford.comCopyright Business Wire 2010