Homestead Village Promotes Brain Health Program

Homestead Village’s Brain Health Initiative was launched in late 2024 with an informative and thought-provoking presentation by Dr. Chris Turnpaugh, a doctor of functional medicine here in Lancaster County.  Since then, over 30 residents have signed up to participate in the initial phase of the initiative!  Lead by our President, Douglas Motter, these groups aim to educate and empower residents to understand the connection between metabolic health and cognitive health

The goal of the program is to demonstrate that lifestyle changes can help reduce or eliminate your risk of dementia!   Six small-group meetings occur each month.  During the December meetings, participants were encouraged to complete an online cognitive assessment to establish a baseline for their personal and cognitive wellness and knowledge base.  The survey takes about 30 minutes and is very eye-opening. Participants were also given a tracking chart for Brain Health Metabolic Levers, which helps them track diet, sleep, exercise, exposure to toxins such as alcohol or chemicals from processed foods, and finally unhealthy stress.

The January meetings will focus on Insulin Resistance – what it is and what we can do about it.  In many ways, insulin resistance is one of the biggest factors leading to Alzheimer’s and dementia as well as many other diseases.

For residents who are interested in learning more on this subject, additional groups will be formed over the next year. Additionally, there are many outstanding books, articles and lectures on the subject of brain health.  The small groups identify the best resources and learn together in order to being the journey towards better health.  One place to start is the current bestseller, “Good Energy” by Dr. Casey Means.  Many folks who have read this book have purchased multiple copies for friends and family members as it delves deep into the root causes of metabolic dysfunction, the illnesses it leads to, and the lifestyle change that   reverse it.

This initiative is an important step towards helping all residents and staff THRIVE here at Homestead Village by empowering them to be knowledgeable about their bodies and do what’s best for their health!

Dr. Turnpaugh’s seminar attracted one of our largest audiences of any seminar this year.