top of page

My Career Path

​

​

 

I'm a gerontologist  and a brain health specialist. I believe it is important for you to understand why

I chose this career path.

 

The Learning Curve

I have always loved science and I have spent

over half of my working life in medical careers. 

It was working with older people who had

dementia that sent me on a deep dive

into academia to learn everything I could

about aging and dementia.  So by the time

I was 52 years old I had:

  • BA in Gerontology,

  • Masters in Gerontological Studies

  • Nursing Home Administrator’s license.

 

I didn’t work directly with seniors with dementia after graduate school but I did work with their spouses, children, other family and friends.  They were the primary caregivers of these seniors and they did everything they could to make their lives better.  And, I learned that it came at a cost.  This education was the most profound.  It changed my life.

 

All About the Brain

I started my brain fitness education with Posit Science as an Authorized Provider for their Brain Fitness Program and the Cortex with Insight program.  That was in 2006 and was just the start of the brain fitness revolution that was to come.  I was hooked.  I loved everything about the new research                                                                           coming out and the discovery of neuroplasticity.  It offered                                                                           hope for the aging brain.  Next steps involved becoming                                                                               certified as a brain health coach because wherever I                                                                                   spoke about brain fitness I was asked to teach classes.  The                                                                   public wanted more!  I was certified through Posit Science                                                                           for the two programs I mentioned above.  I needed                                                                                       something more inclusive of total health and I found Dr.                                                                               Cynthia Green.  Dr. Green started teaching and certifying                                                                             brain health coaches through her Total Memory

                                                                         Workout program. 

​

I

​

                                                                  

                                                                              My Purpose My Passion

M                                                                   My education, experience, and knowledge would probably                                                                          be enough to convince you that I know what I am doing.        but it doesn’t tell you why I am doing this.  I am a leading-edge Boomer.  Like others my age I was experiencing tip-of-tongue slips, forgotten names, and other memory glitches that we all worry about.  I forgot a pivotal word while I was speaking once in front of a large group of people.  It really scared me.  I didn’t have the knowledge that I have now so I immediately went to the dark side of my thoughts and swore I was getting young-onset dementia.  Plus I was working with people who did have Alzheimer’s disease – so I was terrified.  But I happened to have an interest in brain fitness and, the research on aging brains was just coming out.  I discovered I was experiencing typical aging brain issues and I started to relax.  But the memory of those emotions drives me to teach.

 

Also, the Alzheimer’s Association’s latest facts and figures are grim.  1in 6 women and 1 in 11 men are projected to get Alzheimer’s disease.  These numbers are bigger than breast cancer and prostate cancer.  With no treatment or cure on the horizon and Alzheimer’s disease viewed as an epidemic our future looks bleak.  I just can’t allow that to happen.  My Brain Health Program for Optimal Aging is structured to allow us to live high quality brain healthy lives.  Current research has revealed that this offers the best hope of delaying the onset of dementia.  Either through the Self Study Course or the One on One Coaching Program - It is the very best gift we can give to family, our friends and ourselves.

 

Finally, I had brain surgery a couple of years ago.  Talk about walking the talk!  I had to really live all of the lifestyle choices that I write about.  I believe my brain is functioning at a very high level again – my own testimonial! 

 

It would be a great honor to have you experience the Brain Health Program for Optimal Aging.

​

​

​

​

​

​

PatOllie.jpg
IMG_0017.JPG
    • LinkedIn Social Icon
    • Facebook Social Icon
    • Twitter Social Icon

    Patricia Faust MGS. CAt 

    © 2019 PCF CONSULTING

     patricia@myboomerbrain.com

    images.jpg

    ​

    March was an unusual month for me.  Normally I work on articles, give presentations and generally just stay tuned to what is going on in the field of aging.  This month I “learned” a lot.  Last year I learned how to write a book.  At the time I took the course I thought it would just be a natural extension of all the writing I had done over the years.  WRONG!!  The actual writing of the book was the easy part.  Putting it together into a book was difficult for me.  The course gave me step by step lessons on constructing a book.  Then editing and formatting were just as challenging.  On June 7 last year the book was published!  It was one of the most satisfying days of my writing career. 

    Naturally, when you self-publish, you do not have a publisher promoting the book and getting it in the right categories for best sales on Amazon.  That was crushing because I really didn’t know to appropriately market it.  I am a brain health person!  In December of last year, I purchased a marketing program that is based on statistics.  I am technical minded and so this approach made sense to me.  The course is almost completed.  Can’t wait to see if it improves sales!

    The next step I am looking at is recording an audiobook.  This is another venture I knew nothing about.  But I am already tagged on Facebook for marketing of audio book programs.  Facebook picks up everything.  Now my husband was creative director for an advertising agency and when I told him I purchased another class – he couldn’t believe it.  “This was my business.  I know how to do recordings, why didn’t you ask me?” Well, I knew he was an expert in that business, but this audiobook needs to meet all the criteria that Amazon requires for publication.  So, he can take care of the recording part of this audiobook, and I will navigate the process of meeting Amazon’s requirements.  We worked on the book together like this. 

    Then I talked with some coaching experts on the viability of starting group teaching programs.  Reading The Boomer Brain book and implementing the Brain Healthy Lifestyle have two entirely different outcomes.  This lifestyle is important to maintaining high cognitive function throughout the later years of our lives.  Look for updates as to when I will roll this program out.

    My last learning endeavor was attending a two-day bootcamp for Speakers.  I am really excited about what I learned there.  That is a late this year or next year project, but it is one I am really looking forward to.

     

    What Is Happening in April?

    The American Society on Aging is having their annual conference in Orlando Florida April 21-24.  This is the largest multidisciplinary conference on aging and the annual conference for Members of ASA.  I have attended a number of these conferences throughout the years, and it is consequential.  Keynote speakers and special events are focused on combating ageism in our society.  Although this is a professional meeting, the attendees come from all aspects of aging services.  They have their work cut out for them this year!

    April is Stress Awareness Month.  We should be aware of stress every month and understand how we can break the stress cycle.  These are stressful times, and we need to protect ourselves

    Here is a positive one “April is National Volunteer Month”.  When I am working with new retirees who don’t know what to do, I talk to them about volunteering. It is important to have a purpose after you leave the workforce.  There are so many nonprofits who need help in all aspects of their organizations.  It is a perfect way to give back.

    Finally – It was Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds – the oldest major league team in the nation.  Cincinnati takes that responsibility seriously.  There is always an Opening Day Parade through downtown to the Ball Park.  Huge crowds line the streets and every year there is talk of making it an official holiday.  Schools and employers look the other way when there is an empty desk.  No matter what the outcome of the game is, there is so much joy, and you can feel that energy.  I am fortunate that I get to experience that.  We all need some joy right now. 

    Enjoy your April.

    bottom of page