EVANSTON, IL (June 29, 2012) -- On Tuesday June 12, residents of Mather LifeWays’ The Mather, along with residents from other Chicago-area senior living communities, participated in a table tennis exhibition event at The Mather, in Evanston, IL. Participants had a chance to play with, and learn from, representatives of Chicago-based Killerspin, a premier table tennis events, media, and equipment company.

The exhibition was hosted in advance of this October’s LeadingAge Denver conference, where Mather LifeWays will sponsor a table tennis tournament for Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) residents.

Table tennis has been called the world's best brain sport, and research shows that individuals over 40 years of age are 50 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease if they exercise twice or more a week for at least 30 minutes at a time.

“Table tennis is a great way for older adults to remain physically and mentally active,” said Kathryn Brod, VP of Senior Living Strategic Initiatives, Mather LifeWays. Thus the impetus behind Mather LifeWays initiative to sponsor a table tennis tournament with LeadingAge, a noted industry association of more than 6000 not-for-profit organizations dedicated to expanding the world of possibilities for the aging.

Residents Tom and Joan Soper have been enormous proponents of the sport, and are pleased to have a growing number of between 20 – 30 regular participants in twice-weekly scheduled table tennis matches at The Mather. The Soper’s adult children and grandchildren also participate in friendly matches when they visit, and Dr. Tom Soper is expected to compete at October’s LeadingAge event. 

Table tennis is enjoying a surging popularity demographically, within the Boomer generation, and geographically as well. With the London 2012 Olympic games fast approaching, table tennis will again take to the international stage. For just the second time, table tennis will be played as a team sport featuring singles matches as well as doubles matches. Additionally, Senior Olympic games from around the country host tournaments, and many players have not allowed age or physical disability keep them away from the table.

For more information about the Mather LifeWays tournament at the LeadingAge conference, or to learn more about Mather LifeWays, visit on the web at www.matherlifeways.com  or email pingpong@matherlifeways.com.

Based in Evanston, Illinois, Mather LifeWays is a unique, non-denominational not-for-profit organization founded 70 years ago to serve the needs of older adults. Dedicated to developing and implementing Ways to Age WellSM, Mather LifeWays creates programs, places, and residences for today’s young-at-heart older adults. These include providing continuum of living and care; making neighborhoods better places for older adults to live, work, learn, contribute, and play; and identifying, implementing, and sharing best practices for wellness programs, aging-in-the-workplace issues, emergency preparedness, staff development, and online education and programs empowering working family caregivers. To learn more about Mather LifeWays senior living residences, community initiatives, and Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging, call (847) 492.7500 or find your way to www.matherlifeways.com.