Introducing Bold’s Brain Health Program: A Prevention-Based Model for Modern Medicare Plans
Cognitive decline is one of the most feared consequences of aging – and one of the most misunderstood. While 87% of Americans worry about memory loss and brain function as they grow older, only a third believe they can take action to shape their cognitive future.
Bold is working to change that.\ \ With the launch of our Brain Health program, we’re expanding the reach of our healthy aging platform to meet one of today’s most urgent health challenges: helping to promote healthy brain function and a high quality of life for the growing older adult population, while working to prevent some of the costliest and most devastating health outcomes, including Alzheimer’s Disease.
Why brain health matters for health plans
Brain health conditions are expected to rise alongside the growing population of older adults. The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s is expected to nearly double by 2050. At the same time, total health and long-term care costs for dementia-related conditions are projected to skyrocket to $1 trillion annually.
These costs make clear that for health plans and other senior-focused organizations, prevention has to be a centerpiece of the approach. A wide body of research underscores the important role that physical activity plays in supporting brain health as we age, especially when combined with cognitive engagement. In fact, cognitive decline is nearly twice as common in inactive adults compared to those who move regularly.
Beyond the bottom line however, brain health represents a unique opportunity to align benefits with member demand. According to AARP, nearly half of all adults over 50 are interested in virtual solutions that support brain health. The right brain health resources can be a key differentiator during the Annual Enrollment Period while also delivering long-term cost savings for plans.
A personalized brain health solution, built to engage today’s Medicare members
Like all of Bold’s programs, the Brain Health program has been built from the ground up to meet the needs of older adults. Following a brief assessment, members are provided with a personalized program that combines physical activity, cognitive tasks, and evidence-based education to support durable engagement and measurable outcomes.
The centerpiece of the offering is a novel physical activity program that leverages dual-task training. Dual-task training pairs a motor task, like a squat or a lunge, with a cognitive task. Evidence suggests that this type of training can help older adults experience benefits across executive function and memory as well as balance, gait, and other physical attributes.
There has been intense member interest in the Brain Health program since Bold made it available to current health plan customers. In the weeks following launch, just about half of all new members indicated that brain health was a motivating factor in starting with Bold.
Bold’s Brain Health program is more than a member benefit – it’s a lever for Star Ratings, retention, and cost control. Research shows that depression, inactivity, and cognitive decline often go hand in hand. By tackling these challenges with an integrated approach, Bold helps health plans:
- Improve triple-weighted HOS measures for physical and mental health
- Engage hard-to-reach members that face barriers to movement due to chronic conditions or limited mobility
- Drive retention: Deliver a member-centered program that older adults love, trust, and return to — 8 in 10 Bold members indicate they’re more likely to retain their plan
Making prevention possible for everyone
More and more health plans are investing in interventions that advance the quality of life of their members. As the Medicare Advantage program evolves and whole-person health continues to rise in importance, offering programs that are engaging, attuned to member needs, and based on the best possible evidence base is paramount.
Bold’s Brain Health program brings that vision within reach. By combining movement and cognitive support into one seamless experience, we’re helping older adults take control of their brain health and giving plans a powerful way to deliver on whole-person care.
Want to bring the Brain Health program to your members?
Get in touch to learn how Bold’s clinical exercise platform is transforming aging through prevention.