Wellness: South Charlotte workshop focuses on brain health

Health + Wellness

July 25, 2024

The Ivey exterior

The Ivey delivers science-based, brain-fitness workshops for all ages to help head off cognitive decline.

by Michael J. Solender | photographs by Grant Baldwin

After years of attending to her aging parents, each stricken with dementia, Alicia Gagnon, 58, began to realize she needed to focus equal attention on her own brain health. In fall 2023, after attending a community outreach session at her church conducted by The Ivey, Gagnon decided to become more proactive regarding her own self-care.

She signed up for a brain-health workshop series developed by The Ivey, a local brain-health and memory-wellness center. The 12-week program focuses on healthy lifestyle choices that can help head off cognitive decline before the onset of serious memory problems. The program is offered to anyone seeking to keep their brain sharp as they age, including those dealing with mental cloudiness from long Covid, menopause or cancer treatment.

Gagnon was already familiar with The Ivey through a twice-monthly caregiving support group. “But when they came and spoke about self-care and lifestyle choices, I decided it was time for a reset,” she says. “I was spending so much time focused on caring for my parents, I wasn’t focused on caring for my own brain health. And while having two parents with dementia doesn’t mean absolutely I’m going to have dementia, it does increase the risk.”

“I was spending so much time focused on caring for my parents,
I wasn’t focused on caring for my own brain health.”

More than 75% of older adults experience memory problems, according to Dr. Daniel Amen, New York Times bestselling author and brain researcher. About a third of adults 85 and older have Alzheimer’s, according to a 2024 report by the Alzheimer’s Association.

Fortunately, research indicates that intervention can preempt cognitive decline. 

“It’s never too early or too late to focus on lifestyle and behaviors that will improve your brain health,” says Lynn Ivey, a former banking executive who founded The Ivey in 2008. Ivey believes so strongly in the science, she launched the lifestyle-focused brain health workshops at her center in 2021. The 12-week workshops cost $800 and are offered three to four times a year.

Since the initial offering, nearly 100 people have participated in the weekly, half-day sessions. Programming is led by a team of experts in disciplines including sleep, nutrition, movement and mindfulness.

“Research shows there is science-backed data indicating that people don’t have to sit back and let cognitive decline set in,” Ivey says. “Lifestyle choices and behaviors can change the trajectory of the brain. This is true at any age.”

Lynn Ivey CEO and founder of The Ivey

Lynn Ivey, CEO and founder of The Ivey

Six lifestyle pillars

In exploring how to best prevent mental decline, Ivey and her team identified six key lifestyle pillars that contribute to strong brain health. Next, they looked to community experts to help develop the program. By enlisting nutritionists, doctors, sleep specialists and other professionals, The Ivey built its core program around six areas:

Exercise: Regular moderate exercise like gardening, walking and housework can be good for both the body and the brain.

Brain stimulation: Simple acts like brushing your teeth with the non-dominant hand, taking new routes when driving and switching routines — like reading a nonfiction book when you typically read novels — challenge the brain to learn new things and help keep it sharp.

Nutrition: Shifting to a low-fat diet that incorporates more vegetables and eliminates processed foods pays health dividends. 

Mindfulness: Setting aside stressors, even for a few moments each day, helps calm the brain, improve alertness and allow
focused attention on life’s positive gifts.

Connection: Face-to-face relationships and interactions help keep the brain engaged and sharp.

Rest and relaxation: Sleep is key to recharging and restoring our brain and body and is a critical component in overall good health.

“Progress, not perfection is our goal with this program,” says Jen Lafontaine, special projects director at The Ivey. Lafontaine stresses that even small changes can yield healthy results. “We work to help turn these ideas into behaviors that work best for each participant. The best activities? Ones that you will do.”

For Gagnon, turning what she learned into action meant a shift in mindset. “The program leaders care about the individual, and they try to help you find out what your need is. They helped me with thinking about what mindfulness means for me. I drive in the car a lot to go see Mom and Dad; they talked to me about making that my time for mindfulness. I use it now to listen to music, and it’s my time to reflect.”

Many in the community know The Ivey from its origin in 2008 as a state-certified adult day care center. For many years, the center provided all-day programming for adults with mild cognitive impairment. After Covid, The Ivey shifted to its current respite-care program, which offers afternoon care for individuals early in their memory-loss journey four afternoons a week. There’s a one-time enrollment fee of $500, and monthly fees are $1,750. Programming includes social engagement, speakers, daily movement and exercise, a healthy snack, and regular caregiver meetings and resources. Also offered are caregiver resources and referrals, and a “While You Wait” service that supports families and caregivers during the early stages of memory loss while their loved one is evaluated.

For Gagnon, the brain-health program has made a significant difference in her outlook. 

“I have this little note I keep on my back door. It says, ‘Deep breathing, music, be present and healthy food choices.’ Those are four things that are a part of my life and important. I feel good about the choices I’m making and am very happy knowing I’m taking positive steps with my health.”  SP

The Ivey is located at 6030 Park South Drive. The next Brain Health Workshop session is scheduled for Sept. 20-Dec. 5. Visit theivey.com to learn about programs and upcoming information sessions.

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