How a Baseline Brain Health Check-Up Can Lay the Foundation for Healthy Aging

You may already see your primary care physician, eye doctor, and dentist for routine exams. But have you ever considered giving your brain the same attention?

For many people, a change in memory is what first prompts them to speak with their physician. At the Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health, we encourage people to have these conversations sooner, while they still feel well. 

A brain health checkup can help you understand how your memory and thinking are functioning today, offer insight into ways you can preserve your brain health, and provide a reference point for future visits. 

As the brain health coach and coordinator at the Wolk Center for Memory Health, I help people find practical steps to support their brain health that fit into their everyday lives. Here’s why we encourage you to establish your brain health baseline before symptoms arise, plus what to expect when you come in. 

A reference point for the years ahead 

You may wonder whether you really need a brain health checkup. But just like other annual appointments, establishing a baseline for your brain gives you and your care team a helpful starting point for identifying ways to maintain your health. Comparing results over time can also help your care team identify any changes that wouldn’t be noticeable from a single visit.  

You don’t need to be experiencing changes to want to give your brain health some attention. In people who develop Alzheimer’s disease, changes within the brain can begin years or even decades before symptoms begin! That is one of the reasons we encourage you to think about brain health while you feel well.

A brain health checkup is also an opportunity to recognize what you’re already doing to support your brain health, and what else you can do today. Just like your dentist may point out a spot where your flossing could use some attention, our team can help you identify practical, everyday habits that benefit your brain. Together, we can develop a personalized plan that fits your everyday life and goals. 

When is it time for a baseline brain health checkup? 

We welcome anyone who wants to learn more about their brain health! We particularly encourage anyone with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia to consider making an appointment, even if you haven’t noticed any changes.

Your 50s or early 60s are a practical time for an initial appointment. This is consistent with the Alzheimer’s Association’s recommendation to have routine brain health conversations with your primary care physician starting in your mid-50s. That said, the right time for a baseline checkup depends on your health history, family history, and concerns. We always say it’s never too early to get your baseline brain health checkup!

No matter your age, we’re happy to meet with you to determine the next steps that make sense for you. 

Understanding the brain health checkup process

Your initial appointment is our chance to learn more about you and hear what’s on your mind. You will meet with a nurse practitioner or geriatrician to talk about your health history, family history, and lifestyle.

We will ask you to complete a brief cognitive screening on an iPad, which takes about five to 10 minutes. The Wolk Center for Memory Health uses a digital assessment proven to help identify subtle changes in thinking over time. Even details like whether you pause while drawing a clock can offer insight into your memory and thinking, allowing our team to get a more detailed picture of your brain health.  

Depending on your health history, we can also discuss additional options such as genetic testing, which can identify genetic factors linked with Alzheimer’s risk. Genetic testing cannot diagnose Alzheimer’s disease or tell you whether you will develop it. Your clinician can explain what your results mean for you, answer any questions you have, and help you decide whether testing makes sense for you.

Turning your results into personalized next steps 

After we complete your baseline brain health checkup, we will use what we’ve learned to come up with a plan. For some people, that may mean simply returning for a follow-up exam once a year — or at another interval if recommended by your clinician — to reassess your brain health.

Our Brain Health and Wellness Coaching Program is another option for those who would benefit from a little guidance as they make lifestyle changes. We help people set realistic goals and build brain-healthy habits that fit their lives.  

Whether it’s finding nutritious foods you enjoy, moving your body more, or improving your sleep routine, seemingly small habits can support your brain health in a big way. Research suggests that modifiable risk factors could prevent or delay nearly 45% of dementia cases worldwide. That’s an encouraging reminder that there are meaningful, achievable steps we can take to care for our health. Even so, lifestyle changes are not easy to implement on your own — which is where coaching can help. Read about one coaching patient’s experience building healthier habits on our blog.

If anything does warrant a closer look, your care team will guide you through their personalized recommendations. The Wolk Center for Memory Health offers comprehensive outpatient care related to brain health, so you will already be in the right place for further assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. 

Schedule your brain health checkup today

Whether you’re interested in establishing a brain health baseline or have noticed changes in your memory or thinking, our multidisciplinary team can help you understand your brain health and identify next steps. To schedule an appointment, contact the Wolk Center for Memory Health online or call 617-363-8000.