BY VERONICA ZACON & MERLIN PENDRAGON

Brain Health Researchers in Japan, Canada and Spain have proven the efficiency of Abacus calculation in maintaining cognitive health for the elderly. Thousands of elderly people are now attending Abacus training across the globe.

According to the Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s UK, more than 1 million British citizens over the age of 65 suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. These and other mental illnesses, disorders and diseases affect not only patients but have serious consequences for family members, friends and the state budget.

A study conducted by professor Ryuta Kawashima at Tohoku University proves that regularly using the Abacus to complete maths problems stimulates the prefrontal cortex and develops our ability to think logically. This helps with building memory as well as processing skills and information. Even the simple act of moving one’s fingertips can improve cerebral blood flow.

For the first time in Hastings, over-50s can attend Abacus Mental Maths classes led by Veronica Zacon, an experienced trainer and former maths teacher from Moldova.

Starting on 27th January, Veronica will be running her classes every Saturday for six weeks. It will be hosted from 2-3 pm at Hastings Works, 18 Robertson Street, Hastings, TN34 1H. The course is free, but a fully refundable £15 cash deposit must be paid at the first session for the loan of an abacus. Places are limited so early booking is essential. Telephone 0759 8688 044. Veronica also welcomes donations to help the continued maintenance of the course.

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