Release Notes

Access to Staying Sharp has expanded: AARP registered users now have access to content and features within Staying Sharp. AARP members have access to even more — that content is designated with a Members Only banner.

Cognitive Assessment: The Cognitive Assessment is free to all AARP members and registered users and can be retaken every 30 days.

Ads on Staying Sharp: This capability enables ads/sponsorship on the Staying Sharp website.

Daily Activities: Users have a starting point for creating healthy habits. Return to Staying Sharp every day and complete a daily activity that focuses on one of the six pillars of brain health.

Scientific Research: Learn about the release of the Staying Sharp Scientific Research Program. This program allows our users the opportunity to apply for enrollment in studies led by universities and private research organizations related to health, habits and cognitive aging.

• The Power of Emotions Challenge is now available on the Staying Sharp App. Managing your emotions, even in stormy times, may help you think more clearly and stay more centered, so that you can be the person you want to be. Take this challenge on the go and learn about the roots of emotion and the pathways to emotional agility.

• The Wonder of Your Brain guide is now available within "Best Of" for Staying Sharp users to read and earn rewards points. Enjoy this "I Am" series of 10 videos that help you learn about the extraordinary powers of the human brain.

• Staying Sharp has launched a new Challenge — Weight Loss After 50. Weight gain in middle age is not inevitable. Discover the latest science on nutrition and aging, based on AARP’s new best-selling book, The Whole Body Reset.  
• A new guide on Essential Nutrients is now available within "Best Of." Which vitamins, minerals and other nutrients give some foods their super powers? Find out in this health guide. 

• Staying Sharp has launched a new Challenge — Powering Down. Focus is like a muscle; use it and it will grow stronger. In this challenge, you’ll learn how to strategically use your attention to help maximize your focus.
• A new version of the Staying Sharp mobile app has been released. This version includes an update for app users who are opted into AARP Rewards to receive daily rewards (15 points) for accessing the app. They will be alerted via a notification at the top of the app.

• Staying Sharp has launched a new game — Mirror Map. A beam of light shoots in a straight line across a grid, but you need the light to hit a target. To do that, you’ll place one or more mirrors in the grid squares to redirect the light. Give it a try and see how you do!

Release Notes Date 01.24.2022

• Staying Sharp users now have two new ways to earn rewards points! The first way is by downloading the Staying Sharp app from either the Apple app store or Google Play, and the second is by completing a Brain Health Challenge via the app. Download the app today and start earning! 

• Staying Sharp has launched its site in Spanish! You can find Staying Sharp en Espanol here.
  
• Staying Sharp has launched a new game — Block Breaker. This game tests your spatial memory with this block-busting puzzler. Give it a try and see how you do!

• Staying Sharp users will now see a notification when an item has been added to "My Plan." This notification will display within a Challenge as well when an activity has been added to the user's plan.
• A new "Member Benefits" area has been added to the site that will give member users a sample of the various benefits available to them.  
  
• Staying Sharp has launched it's newest challenge — Memory Chunking. In this challenge you’ll learn about tools to help support your memory.

Release Notes Date 12.08.2021

• The Smart App Banner is now available when users visit Staying Sharp on a mobile device. If the user doesn’t have the app on their device, tapping the banner takes them to the app’s entry in the App Store. If the app is already installed on the user's device, the user can click "Open" in the banner to simply open the app.

• Staying Sharp users can now play Staying Sharp Games in Alcove, a Virtual Reality Platform by AARP Foundation. Visit our Virtual Reality Games page for more information!

Release Notes Date 11.04.2021

• Staying Sharp has launched a new game — Highest Bid. This game challenges your brain to recognize and process information quickly, pushing you to make quick, informed decisions. Give it a try and see how you do!
• TED Talks videos are now available on Staying Sharp platform. Visit our Videos page.

• A "You May Also Be Interested" section has been added to My Plan when it is empty. 
• Once a user completes the Brain Health Assessment, Challenges will be included in personalized recommendations.
• Challenge name will be included in activities added to My Plan from Challenges.

• Staying Sharp has launched the Fit & Fun Challenge! We know walking is good for us — it increases energy, lifts our mood and more — but making it a habit isn’t always easy. Kickstart your walking journey to help you achieve better health with this 8-week Challenge.

• Staying Sharp is excited to announce the launch of the Staying Sharp Mobile App. Users can now easily take Staying Sharp with them on the go to build stronger habits and support brain health. Learn more about the mobile app here.

• Staying Sharp has launched a new game — Swap Puzzles. This game challenges you to form a complete picture from scrambled parts. Give it a try and see how quickly you can complete the picture!

• Staying Sharp has launched a new game — Tap Targets. This game engages your ability to recognize and respond to specific visual information, challenging you to react quicker and with more precision. Try it out today!

• Did you know the things you do to make your heart stronger also help protect your brain? In Staying Sharp's latest guide — The Brain-Heart Connection you will learn how to protect them both by managing blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, reducing blood sugar, being active, eating well and lowering harmful stress.

• Staying Sharp has launched a new game — Number Pop. Play this game to practice switching between different types of information, something we do frequently. Try it out today!

Release Notes Date 07.01.2021

• Staying Sharp has launched a new guide on How to Talk to Your Doctor. A conversation about your health isn’t complete if it doesn’t include your brain. This guide will help you start the conversation with questions for your doctor and follow-up steps for future appointments.

Release Notes Date 06.16.2021

• Staying Sharp has re-launched the Everyday Reasoning Brain Health Challenge with an updated look and feel. Good problem-solving skills are essential for feeling healthy and remaining independent as you age. Explore more about reasoning skills through this Challenge.
  

Release Notes Date 06.10.2021

• Staying Sharp has launched its first Challenge Series. The Mental Well-Being Challenges explore practical ways of finding and approaching mental well-being, and build as foundational themes are explored.
  
• Staying Sharp has re-launched the Memory Loss – Is it Inevitable? Brain Health Challenge with an updated look and feel. This challenge will show you how memory works and what science says you can do to keep it functioning well.
  
• To give a visual indicator of progress, Staying Sharp now displays icons in the Additional Tests area showing whether users have completed or haven’t started each test — spatial processing, non-verbal reasoning and verbal reasoning.
• "Best Of" is now available within the main site navigation.

Release Notes Date 05.17.2021

• Staying Sharp has launched a new Brain Health Challenge called Digital Declutter. This challenge will provide strategies to make technology something that empowers you to live more fully.
• To help improve the on-boarding experience for new Staying Sharp users, after activating, users can choose one of the 3 options:  
  1.       Learn more about Staying Sharp, which takes users to the Overview page where they can learn more about our program 
  2.       Take the Brain Health Assessment 
  3.       Explore Staying Sharp on their own, which takes users to their Staying Sharp homepage
• Users will now see "Up Next" on all of the game detail pages, which will make it easier for users to go to another game similar to the one currently being played.    

Release Notes Date 05.05.2021

• Staying Sharp has launched a new Brain Health Challenge called Faces & Names. This challenge will provide techniques and strategies that anyone can use to help recognize faces and names.
• Staying Sharp users who are enrolled in rewards can now earn points by taking quizzes on select articles such as this one: 5 Ways Conversation Strengthens Your Brain
  

Release Notes Date 04.28.2021

• Staying Sharp has launched a new guide on Mental Well-Being which talks about discovering tips for improving your outlook in times of stress, increasing resilience, finding happiness and bouncing back from difficult times.
  
• Staying Sharp has launched a new game called Pattern Match. In this game you match a series of kaleidoscope layers — speed and accuracy count, so play fast!
• Users will now see “Personalized Recommendations” and “Up Next” sections on all articles. This will help the user to explore more content on the Staying Sharp site.

Release Notes Date 04.13.2021

• Users can now see the Top 5 Recently Viewed pieces of content in Articles, Activities and Recipes as well as the Top 5 Recently Played games.  

• Staying Sharp's Game portfolio now allows users to filter games by the following topics: word play, positivity, concentration, logic, speed, number play, recall, spatial reasoning and trivia.
• Each game page now includes related information to help users more easily explore other areas of Staying Sharp.
  
• Each game page now includes an animation of the game to help users gain a quicker understanding of how to play the game.
• Users will now see a new footer on the site which will provide easy access to categories and topics.

Release Notes Date 03.18.2021

• For a better user experience, My Plan is now organized by content type based on site navigation. For users who do not have any items in My Plan, we added instructions and a small visual animation to illustrate how the feature works.
• Users will now be able to view all "Best Of" by clicking the “View All” link under the "Best Of" section in the right rail.
• Staying Sharp introduces a “Did You Know” feature that provides a compelling fact from one piece of content to the next. 

• The Assessment Results page now provides a modal for each lifestyle and cognitive function incorporated into the assessment.  This modal explains the importance of that function and provides activities to help improve in that area.

Release Notes Date 02.10.2021

• Staying Sharp has launched a new and improved version of the Daily Puzzle. The updated daily puzzles will include word problems, math, trivia, spatial awareness, memorization puzzles and more! The user will now be able to interact with the daily puzzle by selecting an answer from the options given. Check out the new daily puzzle here!

• A new Brain Health Challenge titled Brain Health 101, has launched. In this challenge, Neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta, M.D., helps you explore the six pillars of brain health that research shows can help keep minds active and preserve memories as people age.

• Staying Sharp introduces a new game called Hidden Objects. This fun game challenges you to find an object when it is hidden amidst a collection of other objects. Click here to give it a try!

• Staying Sharp users can now earn AARP rewards by taking the Brain Health Challenges. Check out the Challenges and start earning today!  

• The Brain Health Assessment has been enhanced with the addition of three new tests in the areas of Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Processing, Verbal Reasoning. In addition we are increasing the price from $7.00 to $14.00, which is a one-time fee for AARP Members. People that have already purchased our core Brain Health Assessment for $7.00 will be grandfathered into receiving these additional tests at no additional charge.

• Staying Sharp introduces a new fun game, Double Up. Match a series of related images — from animals to art — in a race against the clock. Give this game a try to see how you do!

• A new Brain Health Challenge titled Pursuit of Happiness, has launched. The objective of this Challenge is to learn about habits that experts believe may increase happiness — from connecting with others to practicing kindness.

• Staying Sharp is making access to your personal information more secure. After logging in, registration and password resetting, users will now be asked for their phone number. In the future, users will be required to verify their identity with a one-time code in order to access or update their personal information. This secure code will be sent to the verified phone number the user provided.

• Staying Sharp users can now use Paypal, Apple Pay or Google Pay to purchase the Brain Health Assessment. 
• The lifestyle portion of the Brain Health Assessment has been updated with questions that reflect the global pandemic. 
• Users will now see a "Life Without limits" label at the top of some articles.  This is a series of articles that feature stories about people living brain healthy lives.

• A new Brain Health Challenge titled Being Present has launched. This Brain Health Challenge provides information on the latest techniques for finding balance and calm in your life.

• After activating Staying Sharp, users will have an opportunity to enroll into the Rewards program if they are not already opted-in.
• Rewards users will be able to earn Rewards points by watching the video on Staying Sharp.
• Staying Sharp introduces a new fun game, Which is Different? Give this game a try and see how you do!

• Staying Sharp users taking the Brain Health Assessment for the first time will now see an Assessment Checklist prior to the start of the assessment.

• A new Brain Health Challenge titled Replay, Recall, Repeat has launched. The objective of this Challenge is to understand how patterns can help make sense of information in everyday life. 
• Staying Sharp introduces a new fun game, This Story is Full of Blanks! Give this game a try to see how you do!
• AARP Staying Sharp has introduced a new guide. Read about Building Resilience and how to bounce back from adversity. 
• Users can now access their challenges from My Plan.

• AARP Staying Sharp has introduced a new guide. See the power of music with the Music and Brain Health content package.

• Users will now see a "Top Players" section display on certain games. The user can see who the top players of that particular game are for the week and for the month. The user's username will show.  
• New "Best Of" area was added to the right area of certain pages so the user can explore highlighted content more easily. 

• Improvements to the Challenge Overview so that users understand where they are as they progress through the Challenge.
• AARP Staying Sharp has introduced two new guides, 1. Brain-Healthy Home Cooking, and 2. Women and Brain Health.
• The Homepage has been updated to help non-members better understand what AARP Staying Sharp is about and has to offer.

• The original five pillars of brain health have been optimized with the introduction of six pillars including: Be Social, Eat Right, Manage Stress, Ongoing Exercise, Restorative Sleep, Engage Your Brain. New functionality has been added to Staying Sharp allowing users to view articles by selected pillars on our new brain health pillar landing page.

• In an effort to address members during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have added two new content packages in response, Your Brain Health Staycation and Find Your Calm.
• Staying Sharp introduces a new fun game, Shopping List. Think you can remember items on a list? Give this game a try to see how you do!
• Filter functionality has been added so users can sort content by articles, videos, recipes, activities and more.

• Staying Sharp introduces a new game, “Restaurant.” Get started playing the role of a restaurant waiter with this game.
• A pop-up requesting demographic information (right/left hand, gender and level of education) will now appear on the games page. Gathering this data will allow us to show users how they compare with other users playing the same game. 

• AARP Members enrolled in AARP Rewards will now see their points balance in the main Staying Sharp header.
• AARP Staying Sharp updates its brain health pillars and adds 1 additional pillar, for a total of 6 pillars. Updated pillars include:
  • FROM -> TO
  • Connect → Be Social
  • Nourish → Eat Right
  • Relax → Manage Stress
  • Relax → Restorative Sleep
  • Move → Ongoing Exercise
  • Discover → Engage Your Brain

• AARP Membership expiration date added to top navigation bar for AARP Members. In addition, if a Member is expiring in 90 days or less, there is a link that gives the Member the option to renew their AARP Membership.
• 15 TED videos have been added to the Staying Sharp experience 
• Landing page designs for articles, videos, recipes and games.
• Launched a new navigation element and landing page for videos 
• Upon completion of creating your Brain Palette, you can now share via social channels including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

• Modified the Staying Sharp member header and navigation based on customer feedback and usability. Changed from red to white background to increase contrast and make it easier to use.
• Added a new Challenge for February, "Memory Loss – Is it Inevitable?" This challenge teaches you how your memory works and how habits and lifestyle impact your memory.

• Staying Sharp announces the introduction of a new game, “Around The World in 80 Trips”, Staying Sharp users check it out here.
• The Brain Health Challenge experience has been enhanced to include a progress bar within each Challenge so that users can see where they are within each Challenge.
• Brain Health Assessment pricing has changed from $6.99 to $7.00

• Improved user interface within the Strategies for Better Problem-Solving Challenge, exercise within the explore section of the Challenge.
• Enhanced functionality for adding content to “My Plan.”

• Staying Sharp introduces a new fun game, Tower of Babel, which focuses on foreign language skills.
  
• Introduction of a new progress bar on the customer home page that informs Staying Sharp participants of their progress in the Brain Health Challenges.
• AARP Rewards points are now redeemable for the Staying Sharp Brain Health Assessment.

• The ability to print your Staying Sharp Brain Health Assessment results is now available.

• Introduction of four new games including Split Words Arcade, Path Finder, Sequence Square and Mem Machines.
• Phase One of audio streaming has been added to a sub-set of articles. Audio streaming functionality will continue to rollout across our articles content.

• The addition of a new product feature, Brain Health Challenges has been released.
• Added a new “voice” page to the Member area with instructions for enabling the Staying Sharp Memory Game on Amazon Echo smart speakers. This page also explains how to use voice commands to play simple numbers and word games with Alexa.

Release Notes Date 10.08.2019

• Introductory video “Understanding your brain health score and recommendations” has been included to help members get a better understanding of the brain health score and its variable components.

Release Notes Date 09.18.2019

• Brain Health Assessment results page optimized to provide a more comprehensive education on what is being displayed in the results.
• Streamlined activation/log-in/join experience for users coming to Staying Sharp specifically to view rich brain health content.

Release Notes Date 08.13.2019

• Enable users to share Staying Sharp articles on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

• Optimize AARP new member user experience when joining via Staying Sharp. 
• Poll Functionality

• Launched the first, of a new feature set titled, “Brain Health Challenges.” The first Challenge provides a sneak peek into what’s to come. This Challenge focuses on Problem Solving.
• Enhancement to My Plan page that enables users to interact directly with the Brain Health Assessment and their personalized recommendations.

• Daily Puzzle
• Inclusion of a messaging component that resides horizontally across the top of pages – present only when appropriate.
• Browser detection functionality to enhance the security, speed, and experience for a user. This functionality will be triggered if a user is using a non-optimized version of their browser, browsers included in this detection functionality:
  • IE 11 
  • Edge 18
  • FF 66
  • Chrome 73
  • Safari 12.1
  • Opera 58

• Enhance FAQ’s to include AI functionality.
• Provided additional instruction on fun games.
• Resolved an issue that prevented iPhone 12.2 users from viewing images.

• Redesigned the Member Home Page to increase the number of tiles highlighting program features.
• Displayed personalized status on the Brain Health Assessment including count down clock on time left before taking the Assessment again, and individual Brain Health Score.
• Addition of a counter in the “My Plan” header on the user homepage which tells the user how many pieces of content they have in “My Plan.” 
• Staying Sharp member homepage updates made to include weekly promotional messaging, and support promotional messages with relevant content in the top five horizontal tiles.

• Once you have completed the Brain Health Assessment, a portion of your personalized recommendations are now included in your homepage.
• Individual messaging based on where you are on in the Brain Health Assessment has been added to article pages.
• Enable users to invite friends to join Staying Sharp.
• Give businesses or individuals the opportunity to share business ideas and inquiries with the Staying Sharp team.

• Increased the amount of most popular content displayed on the homepage from three tiles to six tiles.
• Updated the user interface on the Brain Health Assessment Intro page.

• Gave users the ability to email articles.
• Updated the user interface on the Brain Health Report page.

• Enabled article printing capability.
• Content updates based on user feedback.
• Enabled the ability for users to add comments to articles.

• Turn on homepage notification for users that have previously taken the assessment, and passed their 90-day post-assessment window, letting them know it is time to re-take the Assessment.

• Added a consolidated video page to the Member area that includes three key Staying Sharp videos that help explain the program.

• Renamed “My List” feature to “My Plan” based on customer feedback (functionality remains the same). 
• Members will be asked to login again if they are inactive on their “Your Brain Health Report” page for more than one hour.

• Staying Sharp relaunched as an AARP member benefit. Enhancements include updated branding, consistent templates, faster load times, the ability to create, edit and complete brain health plans (My Plan). 
• Members who have activated the Staying Sharp program can now personalize the entire experience by purchasing the Brain Health Assessment and receiving Personalized Recommendations based on their scores. 
• Members are now able to add any content they are interested in, to their personal “Plan,” including articles, activities, recipes and brain health games, and track them as “Completed” on their personalized My Plan Page. 
• Members now have access to the most popular content within each category – articles, activities, games, and recipes In addition, members now see related content.