Chess has been proven to be one of the most useful strategies in helping to prevent dementia. Playing chess results in better brain function, improved memory, and cognitive abilities. In the month of June 2023, Evan Wu contacted multiple assisted living facilities on behalf of AYLUS Memphis Branch. On 6/22/2023, Evan was welcomed by the activity director at the Gardens of Germantown and discussed details of teaching chess weekly at the facility. The Gardens of Germantown is the only progressive memory care community in the mid-south. Their team uses a social model of care instead of a clinical model of care, allowing residents to be treated like people instead of patients. Since 6/24/2023, 8 volunteers (Evan Wu, Alan Cheng, Alex Shi, Evan Shi, Harrison Xiao, Gabriel Wen, Owen Feng, and Elliot Chen) taught over 10 residents to play chess at the facility every week. The volunteers taught residents how to set up a chess board, how each piece looks, how to move each piece, and the principle rules of a game. When the residents are tired, the volunteers would play chess with each other and explain why they made the move, or simply chat with the residents. On 7/29/2023, by the sixth week of the chess lesson, a resident, Mr. Fred, even played a chess opening and was very engaged while playing with the volunteers! Residents suffering from severe cognitive impairment enjoyed sitting by the volunteers and watching them play chess. At the end of each lesson, all the residents and staff members appreciated that the volunteers brought happiness to them. It was truly wonderful to see elderly residents enjoy this activity.
6/24/2023 3pm – 4:30pm
Volunteers: Evan Wu, Alex Shi, Evan Shi, Owen Feng, Elliot Chen(1.5hrs)
7/5/2023 1pm – 2:30pm
Volunteers: Evan Wu, Alex Shi, Evan Shi, Harrison Xiao, Gabriel Wen(1.5hrs)
7/8/2023 1pm – 2:30pm
Volunteers: Evan Wu, Gabriel Wen, Alex Shi, Evan Shi, Alan Cheng(1.5hrs)
7/15/2023 3pm – 4:30pm
Volunteers: Evan Wu, Alex Shi, Evan Shi(1.5hrs)
7/22/2023 3pm – 4:30pm
Volunteers: Evan Wu, Harrison Xiao, Alex Shi, Evan Shi (1.5hrs)
7/29/2023 3pm – 4:45pm
Volunteers: Evan Wu, Harrison Xiao, Alex Shi, Evan Shi(1.75hrs)
