The Mind Challenge

When retired Cleveland-area broadcasters Art Greenberg and Phil Levine decided to help seniors reduce cognitive decline, they combined two key activities—problem solving and social interaction—to create The Mind Challenge, a team trivia contest held every April and May at area senior centers.

Playing trivia improves memory recall and enhances mental agility, while active socializing—such as talking, laughing and problem-solving—reduces the risk of dementia, slows cognitive decline and decreases loneliness.

“These events are fun, friendly and enthusiastic,” Phil says. “There’s a lot of excitement and high-fiving when teams answer questions correctly.”

The Mind Challenge started in 2019 with 16 cities and has expanded to 75 cities across 10 Northeast Ohio counties this year. The competitions take place in local community senior centers and are free for both participants and the centers. This year, six-person teams will compete from April 13 until the finals on May 27.

“All participants receive a free t-shirt, and the winners will earn cash prizes for their community’s senior center,” Art explains. “The first-place team receives $2,500. Second place wins $1,500. Third place gets $1,000, and fourth wins $500.”

Phil and Art say about 900 people will participate in this year’s competition, which is open to anyone age 50 or older, although most players are in their 60s and 70s.

Held on weekday mornings and early afternoons, the weekly trivia events are fun and nonintimidating. “This isn’t Jeopardy!,” Art assures. “You aren’t competing all alone. You’re on a team of people working together to come up with the correct answers. You may be good at geography, while others on your team may know science or literature. Team members are highly supportive of each other.”

How to Play

The best way to find out if the competition is right for you is to attend one of the practice rounds the week of April 13. The official competition starts on April 20. Visit TheMindChallenge.com for a calendar of events and a list of host cities. There is no residency requirement, so participants are welcome to play for a team in any community.

“You can start a new team with friends, sign up to play on an existing team, or serve as an alternate,” Phil says. “And if your local senior center doesn’t already have a team, encourage them to start one. It’s free, and the center could win one of the four cash prizes.”

For more information, visit TheMindChallenge.com, or email Art Greenberg at poppaart3@gmail.com or Phil Levine at pglevine13@gmail.com.