Dakim BrainFitness — Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions for Dakim BrainFitness — a cognitive fitness program designed for seniors and adults over age 60, covering the product's purpose, science, technical requirements, and account/registration process.

Product

Why was Dakim BrainFitness invented?

Dakim BrainFitness is the product of inventor, founder, and CEO Dan Michel's experience with his father's 13-year struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Dan's participation in cognitively stimulating activities with his father made him recognize the therapeutic value of mental stimulation, and the need for an effective, automated form of cognitive exercise.

Who is it for?

Dakim BrainFitness is designed specifically for seniors and boomers over age 60. It includes content at five different levels of mental fitness, appropriately challenging for a wide range of individuals — from normal brain function to mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment.

How does it work / how long does a session last?

Dakim BrainFitness delivers a continuous, interactive stream of exercises for the duration of a session — the user only has to start the session and the software handles the rest, automatically selecting exercises at the appropriate challenge level across a wide variety of cognitive domains. The default session length is about 20 minutes, long enough for a comprehensive workout while giving the software enough response data to fine-tune difficulty.

How comprehensive is the workout?

Exercises six essential cognitive domains: memory (short-term and long-term), language, computation, visuospatial orientation, and critical thinking.

Is it a test of my brain?

No — it provides a rigorous cognitive workout based on proven neurological science, without the stigma of a test. For an independent cognitive assessment, users are encouraged to consult a physician or an online source.

How often should I use it, and how much content is there?

Recommended use: 3-5 times a week for maximum benefit. Content consists of thousands of individual challenges across roughly 100 different formats, with new challenges continuously developed and automatically downloaded to the software or System unit. The initial 6 GB download contains about 300 hours of material across all five challenge levels — enough for more than a year of normal use with minimal repeats.

System vs. Software — what's the difference?

Both contain the same program content and receive the same updates. Dakim BrainFitness software runs on a home computer. The Dakim BrainFitness System is a dedicated touch-screen console pre-loaded with the software, intended for senior living communities or home use (pricing depends on number of users).

Purchasing and support

Purchase a Dakim BrainFitness System for home use by calling 800-856-5502 or emailing purchase@dakim.com. Technical support is available by phone or email; units continuously self-diagnose hardware, OS, and application health, with minor problems repaired remotely and warranty replacements provided when remote repair isn't possible.

Cleaning

Use alcohol-free wipes for all surfaces. CAUTION: Do NOT use alcohol-based wipes or cleaners on the touch screen — alcohol will degrade screen functionality and void the warranty.

Science

What is Alzheimer's disease and dementia?

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually affects memory, learning, reasoning, judgment, communication, and daily-activity ability, with possible personality/behavior changes as it progresses. There is currently no cure. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia — a group of conditions causing progressive decline in mental function; other forms include vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and Parkinson's-related dementia. (Source: Alzheimer's Association)

What is the MMSE?

The Mini-Mental State Examination is a common test of everyday mental skills, scored out of 30 points. A score of 20-24 suggests mild dementia, 13-20 moderate dementia, and below 12 severe dementia. Alzheimer's patients' MMSE scores decline by roughly 2-4 points per year on average.

What is brain plasticity / neuroplasticity?

The brain's capacity to reorganize neural pathways based on new experience throughout life, changing its structure and function in response to stimuli — much like a muscle strengthens with exercise. This means new learning can occur at any age.

Value of cognitive stimulation

Studies show cognitive stimulation can boost intellectual power and help maintain problem-solving and memory function. A multi-center study found frequent cognitive activity in seniors is associated with reduced Alzheimer's risk, while passive pursuits like watching television offer no protective effect. A major university study found subjects using Dakim BrainFitness consistently for several months experienced significant increases in short-term memory.

When is the best time to start?

Brain aging can begin as early as one's twenties. By the fifties, about 40% of people experience middle-age memory lapses; 50% in their sixties; 70% at age seventy and older. Only about one-third of Alzheimer's risk is linked to genetics — the rest involves lifestyle and environmental factors. Denial that the brain is aging is described as the biggest obstacle to starting a cognitive fitness program.

Technical

Internet connection requirements

An Internet connection is generally required to download new exercises and software updates. The software will run offline, but updates occur during sessions, so a connection is essential for long-term performance. The System unit typically receives updates overnight and self-diagnoses continuously; it's recommended to keep the unit connected to the Internet and powered on at all times.

Software Registration

What is a dakim.com account?

A dakim.com account (email + password) identifies the registered owner of the software and provides access to Dakim's online store, administration, and support services. An account is automatically created at time of purchase from dakim.com; if buying as a gift, the recipient should set up their own account during registration using "I Do Not Have An Account."

Software purchased elsewhere

If purchased outside dakim.com, no account exists yet — set one up during registration ("I Do Not Have An Account") using an email address and chosen password.

Why is a valid email required?

Your account email is used to send Activation Codes and other information required to complete certain support functions. An invalid email means you won't be able to complete some support functions. Registration information is governed by Dakim, Inc.'s Privacy Policy (dakim.com/terms-and-policies).

Home Controls, Inc. is an authorized Dakim BrainFitness reseller. For questions, call 1-800-266-8765 x112 or email jill@homecontrols.com.