Brain Health Boot Camp teaches new habits and behaviors to impact long-term brain health

It’s a new year. You’re thinking about New Year’s resolutions, exercising more, eating healthier and prioritizing your sleep. Good health involves so much more than just physical activity, nutrition and sleep. It also includes brain health.

Brain health is important. And people don’t often think about brain health when they are younger. Research indicates we shouldn’t wait. Many of our daily habits and behaviors —including what we eat, how much we move and how much we prioritize sleep and rest — can significantly impact long-term brain health.

The LEAP! Brain Health Boot Camp, presented by the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, is a free online program designed to encourage healthy lifestyle habits for Alzheimer’s prevention. It includes six modules of evidence-based strategies for improving and protecting brain health.

“We are taking the best information in science and evidence in brain health to develop recommendations on how to age well,” said Jeffrey Burns, M.D., co-director of the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and a neurologist and director of the memory care clinic at The University of Kansas Health System.

Burns said the program has always received good feedback. “Whether it’s new information that people are learning about for the first time or others who know about it, the program has a major impact and is changing lives for those who take action and want to make the changes.”

New session begins January 22

The next boot camp is January 22 through February 26. Each week covers a different lifestyle factor, its impact on brain health, and information on practical, evidence-based lifestyle changes to make in that area to support and protect your brain. Sessions include discussions about physical activity, exercise, nutrition, sleep, cognitive engagement and stress management. Video lessons are available on-demand, and live coaching sessions are held on Mondays at 1 p.m. Self-paced video lessons are also available. And attendees who can’t make live sessions will be emailed information following that session.

The strategies outlined in this course may help reduce dementia risk for those with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment. For those in early stages of dementia, these strategies may help slow cognitive decline.

“I would encourage anyone who is interested in brain health to participate in LEAP!” said Rosie Pasqualini, LEAP! program assistant. “You will come away with strategies that will help you support your cognition and your overall well-being for years to come. Plus, it's a lot of fun!”

Get the latest news about brain health

Pasqualini also encourages interested persons to subscribe to MyAlliance for Brain Health, the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center monthly newsletter, to get the latest updates about LEAP! programs. This newsletter also provides research updates, brain boosters, links to weekly webinars and more.