Forget Trial and Error: Brain Health Coaching Helps You Make Lasting Changes

We all want to stay sharp as we age, and research shows that healthy habits can support brain health. But sticking with new habits isn’t always easy. So how do you make lasting lifestyle changes without feeling overwhelmed?

A brain health coach helps bridge the gap between good intentions and real, lasting results. Through personalized guidance, motivation, and support, they empower you to build habits that keep your mind sharp and resilient. With a coach by your side, you will set achievable goals, overcome obstacles, and take control of your well-being — one step at a time.

We all know what a “healthy” lifestyle should look like, but the truth is it’s incredibly difficult to stick to new, healthy habits and not fall back into the same rut or old behaviors. Many people struggle with setting and sticking to health-related goals. Knowing this, we designed our Brain Health and Wellness Coaching Program at the Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health at Hebrew SeniorLife to help our patients set, stick to, and achieve lifestyle goals that foster brain health and overall well-being.  

What is brain health and wellness coaching? 

Wellness coaches help their patients set and achieve health-related goals. As the certified health and wellness coach at the Wolk Center for Memory Health, I focus on supporting your brain health and empowering you to create lasting habits.

A healthy lifestyle can help prevent or delay dementia. Dr. Alvaro Pascual-Leone, medical director of the Wolk Center for Memory Health, has previously written about the importance of his six pillars for maintaining brain health: a sense of purpose and positivity, sleep, social connection, lifelong learning, physical activity, and a plant-forward diet. Embracing these brain health pillars can enhance your quality of life and reduce your risk for dementia.

At the same time, knowing that specific lifestyle changes are valuable doesn’t mean implementing them is easy. Having a coach can serve as extra motivation or help you figure out where to start. Coaching empowers you to take charge of your health by uncovering the motivation behind your goals.

I compare coaching to a road trip. You’re in the driver’s seat, but it helps to have a co-pilot or navigator by your side. A brain health coach acts as that co-pilot, looking at the big map of long-term goals, and helping you chart the best course, adjust when obstacles arise, and stay on track toward your wellness goals. You’ll pass milestones and gain insight into your own motivation and purpose from coaching. You’re always in control of the journey, but with expert guidance and encouragement, you can reach your destination — better brain health — with more confidence and ease, and maybe a few laughs throughout the trip.

With a brain health coach, you can better understand what areas you’re thriving in and shed light on areas that might need some attention. I speak with my patients at length about where they’re at and where they want to be, allowing us to set meaningful, measurable goals that support their health and what matters most to them. After all, even the best road trips include a few ‘wrong turns’ — but they always lead to new goals and opportunities.  

What does the coaching program look like?

The Brain Health and Wellness Coaching Program at the Wolk Center for Memory Health consists of 10 visits. The first and last sessions involve a brain health and lifestyle evaluation, with eight coaching sessions in between. We repeat the evaluation to explore how your brain health has quantifiably changed over your coaching journey.  

During the lifestyle evaluation, I ask you many baseline questions about your diet, lifestyle, stress, mood, cognitive activities, and basic medical history. The multidisciplinary memory clinic team at the Wolk Center for Memory Health was instrumental in creating the questionnaires used during the evaluation, which are designed to give you a brain health score. The team approach to developing the evaluation ensured that the questionnaires we use are scientifically validated and accurate.

Some of the common areas patients use coaching to improve include:

• Physical activity
• Staying socially engaged
• Cognitive stimulation
• Sleep
• Nutrition
• Reducing stress
• Life satisfaction
• Smoking
• Lifelong learning
• Blood pressure and cholesterol

Over the course of our eight coaching sessions, you will create a wellness vision, long-term goals, and weekly goals. The wellness vision is a statement of what an ideal lifestyle looks like to you in your own day-to-day life. While we can’t turn back the clock or work miracles, having a mental picture, or a vision, of what you want your life to look and feel like is an essential motivator. The weekly goals change each visit and are inspired by taking one step closer to your long-term goals. Over the weeks, those steps add up, and before you realize it, you have surpassed your long-term goals and are experiencing your wellness vision happening in real time.

Who is brain health coaching right for? 

Brain health coaching is a great choice for anyone looking to improve any facet of their health and well-being! Whether you are already experiencing some mild cognitive symptoms, have seen its impact on a loved one, or want to maintain your brain health, we are happy to work with and support you.

You don’t have to be an existing Wolk Center for Memory Health patient to become a coaching patient. Anyone interested in improving their brain health and wellness can reach out about the program.  

Many studies have linked lifestyle factors to preventing the progression of mild cognitive impairment. While mild cognitive impairment can progress to dementia, it can also remain stable for years or even improve. By prioritizing your health, you can meaningfully reduce your risk of developing dementia. If you already have dementia, you may be able to slow its progression. However, brain health coaching does work best for those who can actively participate in the process by remembering the past week’s activities or routines.

Taking care of your brain health is valuable for everyone, not just those with cognitive impairment. You may be a care partner or family member of a loved one with cognitive decline who is interested in maintaining your brain health. You may just want to be proactive about your health! Recent research has shown that modifiable risk factors account for around 45% of dementia cases, making brain health coaching an effective way to help prevent or delay cognitive decline. 

Ready to take the next step? 

You don’t have to do it alone. Coaching provides the structure, support, and expert guidance you need to successfully improve your brain health and overall well-being. If you’re excited at the thought of proactively improving your well-being and transforming your life, now is the time to take the first step toward lasting change! I’d love to support you in achieving your wellness goals.  

In addition to brain health coaching, the Wolk Center for Memory Health also offers comprehensive outpatient care related to brain health, cognitive and behavioral problems, and memory loss, whether due to Alzheimer’s disease, other dementias, or other neurological or psychiatric conditions.

Contact us online today to learn more about our Brain Health and Wellness Coaching Program, or call the Wolk Center for Memory Health at 617-363-8600. Let’s work together to empower your brain health journey!

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