A new brain fitness program aims to help boomers sharpen their thinking, though not everyone thinks you need a formal program to do that. 

The program, InSight, focuses on five exercises to strengthen the brain's visual processing system. That's because the speed, accuracy and strength with which people record visual information tends to decline with age, and the brain is able to process a smaller amount of visual information, according to San Francisco-based Posit Science, which is marketing the program.

Overall, brain fitness workouts are increasingly touted as a way to slow some natural effects of aging and delay the onset of memory-loss disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. The ability to process visual information faster could be essential to daily tasks like driving that help people maintain a sense of independence.

Of course, there are other ways to exercise the brain. Reading, taking classes, working on a crossword puzzle or playing trivia games that test recall are among everyday activities that can sharpen skills, according to the Alzheimer's Association. The association doesn't recommend any specific program, but encourages adults to exercise their mental muscles in some way every day.

Studies show visual training helps quality of life, said Dr. Henry Mahncke, Posit's vice president of research. Recent publications include the National Institutes of Health-funded Active study, which has been tracking the performance of more than 2,800 older adults for more than five years.

"The studies show that five years after training, people are 35 percent less likely, on average, to experience extensive decline in health-related quality of life than people who did not engage in the training," said Mahncke. "In addition, published studies also show that trained participants do better at everyday activities that lay the foundation for maintaining independent living and autonomy as determined by standard measures of Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. These activities include tasks like taking medications and managing money."

At A Glance
Each of the five InSight exercises target one aspect of visual processing and memory. For example, the "Jewel Diver" exercise simulates a deep sea diving expedition in search of sunken jewels. To collect the jewels, users follow them on screen when they’re hidden by a bubble or fish. The more jewels a user tracks, the more he or she collects. In the end, the user has sharpened aspects of their divided attention, visual precision and useful field of view. 

InSight, unveiled at the annual International Long Term Care Insurance Conference in Jacksonville, Fla., is also expected to benefit the insurance providers that offer long-term care policies, said Posit CEO Jeff Zimman. "Long-term care insurers are beginning to realize that they can manage down costs by promoting wellness," Zimman said. 

Cognitive impairment is the No. 1 cause of claim at Penn Treaty America, a national long-term care insurer, said Steve La Pierre, executive vice president of insurance operations. He said Penn Treaty plans to provide the Posit Science programs to its customers.