Community Finds Clarity Through Free Memory Screening Event

It was a meaningful day dedicated to something that touches us all—brain health. 

Close to 90 people took part in a free memory screening event hosted by MDR Your Brain Health Matters in late March at the United Church of Marco Island. The event quickly reached capacity, a clear sign that interest in understanding and protecting brain health continues to grow here on Marco Island and in the surrounding region.  

From thoughtful conversations to proactive screenings, the day served as a reminder that knowledge, support, and community can make all the difference. The event was designed to help individuals take an important first step—getting a clearer picture of their cognitive health and establishing a baseline for the future. It also provided each attendee MDR Your Brain Health Matters guidance on how lifestyle promotes brain health and the critical structures important to memory and new learning.  

Among the first to participate were longtime friends Barbara Klimas and Eleanor Creighton, who met more than 50 years ago while working for the Deltona Corporation, the developers of modern Marco Island. The two were the “pioneers” of the day, kicking off the screenings and later sitting down with Dr. Paul Nussbaum, Chair of the MDR Champagne Center for Brain Health and Director of Memory Assessment Center for MDR Your Brain Health Matters, to view their results.  

Barbara, who has helped care for two siblings who battled dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, respectively, said the experience opened her eyes. 

“I did not know what to expect,” she said. “It was kind of fun,” she added with a smile, glancing at Eleanor. 

Eleanor agreed, adding simply, “At our age, we try and take care of our health.” 

For many attendees, the motivation to participate came from a desire to stay ahead of potential concerns. Sandra Gougousis said she was inspired to attend after reading one of Dr. Nussbaum’s monthly columns in the Coastal Breeze News.  

“I live alone. I don’t want to be dependent on my adult children,” said Gougousis, a New Jersey widow who spends part of the year on Marco Island. “I want to be as independent as long as possible.” 

Others came looking for reassurance. One gentleman, who preferred to remain anonymous, said he wanted confirmation that he’s on the right track. He focuses on healthy eating and exercising about 30 minutes a day—two of the five pillars of Dr. Nussbaum’s Brain Health Lifestyle ®.  

For Susan Elsasser, now a Marco Island resident after living in Ohio and North Carolina, noted how the screening offered a chance to better understand changes she’s noticed with her memory.   

An avid walker as well as an international traveler and swimmer (in the summer months) Elsasser described brain health in simple, practical terms: “Being able to function day to day.” 

And for Natalie Napora, who attended the event with her husband, the experience brought peace of mind. After noticing she had been struggling to find the right words more often, she decided to attend. 

“I felt more normal after talking about my results with Dr. Paul,” she said softly, breathing a sigh of relief. “I’m glad I came.” 

MDR leaders say that’s exactly the goal—to change the conversation around brain health from reactive to proactive. And several of the demographic data points from the memory screen event highlight the thirst for brain health information. While the average age of the participants was 75.6 years, several of those taking the test and meeting with Dr. Nussbaum were less than 60 years old. In addition, eight participants who performed less than expected were referred to their primary care physicians for next steps as well as provided practical research-based lifestyle tips to consider.  

MDR “Your Brain Health Matters” plans to continue offering opportunities for Marco Island residents and the region at large to engage and take steps toward a healthier future. Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming grand opening of the MDR Champagne Center for Brain Health in May.