Action! Hollywood memories help deliver AARP brain health message

Evan Jones

Jaws, Saturday Night Fever, Titanic and Toy Story. Those are just four of the many memorable movies and musical favorites that two retired Virginia Commonwealth University professors incorporated into brain health programs delivered to audiences in northern and southwest Virginia. The presentations — created especially for these events — were among the many efforts from AARP Virginia throughout June which is designated as Brain Awareness Month.

David Leong and Patti D’Beck, with extensive entertainment backgrounds, came to Gainesville and Roanoke for the Hollywood memories events. Collectively, their experience spans more than 40 years of teaching, directing, choreographing and performing in many different venues that include Broadway, movies and television. Their experiences demonstrate the entertainment industry can help effectively deliver useful brain health messages.

“I think the best way to get through to people is through entertainment,” said Leong. "And if you can make people laugh, you can make them feel good, and you bring them together, you can actually pass on the information."

This brain health program was just one of many they have created that are designed to involve audiences as participants instead of just listeners. D'Beck said that involvement is key.

“We want people to have fun as they're doing it. We want to educate people and entertain them at the same time. We love talking to the audience and including them rather than just telling them stuff.”

At the heart of this specially created presentation was support for AARP’s six pillars of brain health.

"We organized this event to remind everyone that keeping one's brain active and healthy is a worthwhile endeavor,” said AARP Virginia Associate State Director Brian Jacks. “There are simple steps you can take to stay engaged and stave off certain risks of dementia. AARP encourages purposeful training, and anytime we can include hands-on interaction we work to incorporate it!”

Leong said while different from any of their previous programs, the brain health message fit right in.

"It just so happens that all of the things that we do in our talks involves all of the six pillars, so it is a no brainer literally, no pun intended. When they asked us if you would put together a presentation, we said, ‘Well, it'll fit right in with what we do.’"

AARP’s six pillars of brain health are:

• Engage your brain
• Be social
• Manage stress
• Ongoing exercise
• Restorative sleep
• Eat right