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Frequently Asked Questions
We're here to help.
Welcome to the Staying Sharp FAQs. Below you’ll find a list of our most commonly asked questions about the Staying Sharp platform and our mobile app. Want to learn more about AARP or have questions about membership? Visit the AARP Help Center.
Can I access Staying Sharp without accepting the Legal Disclaimer?
No, you must accept the Legal Disclaimer, Terms of Service and Privacy Policy to access Staying Sharp.
What is Staying Sharp?
Staying Sharp is a program from AARP that offers science-based resources on the six pillars of brain health and other aspects of cognitive aging. You can also unwind with fun games, but research shows lifestyle behaviors may have the biggest effect on brain health. That’s why we aim to make it easy to learn about healthy habits.
Is there a cost to access Staying Sharp?
Staying Sharp, including access to the Cognitive Assessment, Lifestyle Check-Ins and Additional Tests, is available to all AARP members and registered users of aarp.org at no cost. Registered users of aarp.org receive access to some Staying Sharp content and features; AARP members receive full access to all content and features.
I’m an AARP member; how do I get access to Staying Sharp?
As an AARP member, you have full access to Staying Sharp content and features.
Follow these steps.
1. Visit stayingsharp.aarp.org
2. Log in with your AARP member account
3. Activate Staying Sharp
4. Accept the Staying Sharp Legal Disclaimer
5. Start exploring Staying Sharp
Need to create your AARP online account? Follow these steps.
1. Create an AARP.org online account.
2. Fill out the registration form by following the on-screen instructions
3. Be sure to provide information that matches your AARP membership record
I'm a registered user on AARP.org; how do I get access to Staying Sharp?
Follow these steps.
1. Visit stayingsharp.aarp.org
2. Log in with your aarp.org account
3. Activate Staying Sharp
4. Accept the Staying Sharp Legal Disclaimer
5. Start exploring Staying Sharp
I'm neither a registered user of AARP.org nor an AARP member, but I’m interested in Staying Sharp; how do I get access?
Access to Staying Sharp is open to anyone who creates an account on aarp.org. Having an account on aarp.org is not an AARP membership, but it’s free and gets you access to much of the content within Staying Sharp.
Follow these steps:
- Create an AARP.org online account
- Fill out the registration form by following the on-screen instructions
- Activate Staying Sharp
- Accept the Staying Sharp Legal Disclaimer
- Start exploring Staying Sharp
Get even more with an AARP membership. Get full access to all that Staying Sharp has to offer by becoming an AARP member.
- Join AARP
- Fill out the registration form by following the on-screen instructions
- Accept the Staying Sharp Legal Disclaimer
- Start exploring Staying Sharp
How can my partner or spouse get access to Staying Sharp?
- First, make sure you’ve added your spouse or partner as a secondary member to your AARP membership for free. They must have a different email address than you. Visit the AARP Help Center for more information.
- Then the secondary member can visit stayingsharp.aarp.org, log in, and click the activate button and accept the Staying Sharp Legal Disclaimer to start exploring all that Staying Sharp has to offer.
Where do I start?
We recommend that you start by taking the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins. Doing so will provide a starting point to understand how your brain is performing today and how your lifestyle may support brain health. Or explore Staying Sharp on your own. Staying Sharp includes content and features that can ground you in the six pillars of brain health.
What are the Cognitive Assessment, Lifestyle Check-Ins and Additional Tests?
The Cognitive Assessment gives you a snapshot of how your brain is performing today, based on five cognitive tests: working memory, processing speed, sustained attention, cognitive flexibility and recognition memory.
Lifestyle Check-Ins allow you to understand your personal habits around the six pillars of brain health: Be social, Engage your brain, Manage stress, Ongoing exercise, Restorative sleep and Eat healthy.
There are eight Additional Tests that allow you to explore even more elements of cognition. They include tests in three areas: nonverbal reasoning, spatial processing and verbal reasoning. You’ll get scores for each area.
How do I access the assessment?
You can access the assessment by following these steps:
- Visit stayingsharp.aarp.org/assessment/.
- Click the Get Started button.
How long does it take to complete the Cognitive Assessment, Lifestyle Check-Ins and Additional Tests?
The Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins take approximately 40 minutes to complete. We recommend that you find a quiet place and finish the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins in one sitting. The Additional Tests can be taken following the Lifestyle Check-Ins or at another time and could take up to 20 minutes. If you're interrupted or need to step away for some reason, you can pick up where you left off for up to one hour. After that, you may need to start over.
Where are my assessment results?
You should have your results in about five minutes, though sometimes it can take a few minutes longer. If your results are not available, please visit the AARP Help Center so we can help you.
How should I prepare for the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins?
To prepare for the assessment, please consider that stress and lack of sleep may impact many mental activities, so make sure you are well-rested and follow these guidelines.
- Find a quiet room with no distractions. Put your pets in another room and switch your phone to silent mode.
- Pay careful attention to the instructions before each test. Don’t focus on your score; just try to do the best you can.
- Set aside about 40 minutes to complete the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins.
How frequently can I take the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins?
You can take the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins every 30 days.
Do I receive AARP Rewards points for taking the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins?
AARP members receive 1,500 points for taking the assessment and check-ins for the first time; registered users on aarp.org receive 1,000 points for taking the assessment and check-ins for the first time.
What are the challenges?
The challenges are fun, guided, interactive learning activities that start with a pre-quiz. Then you’ll go through steps to learn skills and select activities to practice throughout the day. Finish the challenge by completing the post-quiz. The goal is to be smarter about brain health and find new healthy habits to help you live your best life.
What is "Best Of?"
"Best Of" is a curated set of guides, including the The Brain-Heart Connection, How to Talk to Your Doctor, Brain Health for Caregivers Cooking with Brain-Friendly Foods and more. Each guide offers ways to learn more about the topic and explore activities you can incorporate into your day.
What are activities?
Activities are habits you can incorporate into your daily life.
What does the Staying Sharp app offer?
The app features several challenges, including Memory Loss — Is It Inevitable?, Faces & Names and Digital Declutter. The Staying Sharp app will continue to add science-based challenges. Be sure to allow push notifications from the app for alerts when new challenges are available.
Who can use the app?
The app is available from the App Store on iOS devices or the Play Store on Android devices. Anyone can download and preview the app for free. Or become an AARP member to access all of the features on the app.
Will the email and password I use for aarp.org work for the Staying Sharp app?
Yes, you can use the same email and password that you use for your AARP online account. If you’re not an AARP member, you can join online. If you have any questions about the app, or if you’re having trouble signing in, call 866-747-7512.
Does the Staying Sharp app work with my iPhone?
Yes, the Staying Sharp app is compatible with iOS devices 14.2 and above.
Does the Staying Sharp app work with my Android device?
Yes, the Staying Sharp app is compatible with most devices running Android Oreo 8.0 and above.
Does the Staying Sharp app work on my tablet?
Currently the Staying Sharp app is optimized for small-screen devices (phones and small tablets).
Have more questions about the app?
Visit the Staying Sharp Mobile App FAQs.
How can I earn AARP Rewards points for badged Staying Sharp content?
Staying Sharp users also enrolled in AARP Rewards can earn AARP Rewards points for Staying Sharp content labeled with the AARP Rewards badge. The latest eligible content is available on the Earn List and is labeled as “Brought to you by Staying Sharp.” This content will continue to evolve, so be sure to check out the Earn List on a regular basis.
Users who access Staying Sharp via their health insurance provider or other third party may not be eligible to earn AARP Rewards points.
How can I become an AARP Rewards participant?
Visit www.aarp.org/rewards/ to learn more and enroll in AARP Rewards.
How often can I earn AARP Rewards points for Staying Sharp?
Designated Staying Sharp content will vary, so we suggest you refer to the Earn List page, which lists the frequency you can earn points for specific content.
Why does certain Staying Sharp content qualify for AARP Rewards points?
AARP Rewards points are allocated to participants to incentivize them to engage with select Staying Sharp content. This Staying Sharp content is badged for AARP Rewards. Check back frequently as new content is added to the program weekly.
I completed badged Staying Sharp content; why don't I see my points?
There are two reasons you may not see your points:
1. You’ve reached your daily max
• You may not be receiving additional points if you’ve maxed out on your daily point limit.
• Badges on content will be grayed out if you’ve reached your limit. You can get back to earning points the next day at 12:01 a.m. ET.
2. You may have not fully completed the activity. For example, badged videos have to be watched until the end to receive points. Quizzes require you to submit the answers or required information at the end of the Activity to receive points.
If you are still experiencing issues, please visit the AARP Help Center and click the chat icon so we can help you.
What is AARP's Global Council on Brain Health?
AARP's Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) is an independent collaborative of scientists, doctors, scholars and policy experts that was created to provide trusted information on what research suggests you can do to maintain and improve brain health.
What are the six pillars of brain health?
The pillars of brain health are based on scientific research that shows a healthy lifestyle protects the brain. Staying Sharp helps you develop meaningful and lasting brain-healthy practices that are based on the six pillars. Practice these six pillars for better brain health.
Does Staying Sharp meet accessibility standards?
Read our Accessability Statement.
Note that Staying Sharp also has content including the Cognitive Assessment and games that require certain sensory skills. Staying Sharp also provides an array of other activities for individuals with varying abilities.
How do I unsubscribe from your email list?
Click the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of your email.
What personal information does AARP keep on file, and how is it used?
Read our Privacy Policy to understand how AARP collects, uses, shares and protects personal data.
How does AARP protect my personal information?
Read our Privacy Policy to see how we protect personal data.
Does AARP share my personal info or sell it to any other companies?
Read our Privacy Policy to understand how AARP collects, uses, shares and protects personal data.
Where can I read your privacy policy?
Read our Privacy Policy.
Where can I read your terms of service?
Read our Terms of Service.
What is the relationship between Staying Sharp and AARP?
Staying Sharp was developed by AARP to provide a trusted resource that takes the latest in brain science and translates it into engaging articles, activities, recipes, challenges and more to help support brain health as you age. Full access to Staying Sharp is an AARP member benefit.
How do I bookmark Staying Sharp?
In most browsers, you can bookmark Staying Sharp by using the tools next to your web address input field.
I’m having trouble logging in to the site. Now what?
First, try resetting your password. Are you still having trouble? Reach out to us at the AARP Help Center.
What if I forget my password?
Click reset your password if you’ve forgotten your password.
What browsers are supported by Staying Sharp?
Staying Sharp supports the most recent versions of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari or Firefox for the best experience.
What devices are supported by Staying Sharp?
Currently Staying Sharp supports iOS version 14 and above and Android Oreo 8.0 and above.
What if games do not play or I see a blank page?
If you find that your games are not loading properly, please check your browser settings to ensure that third-party cookies are allowed.
Customer Support
By Phone
Toll-Free Nationwide: 866-747-7512
Toll-Free Spanish: 877-342-2277
International Calls: 202-434-3525
Hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET
By Mail
AARP 601 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20049