Can Memory Be Trained? A Tool to Fight Back Against Cognitive Decline
Can We Train Our Brains to Resist Memory Loss?
Memory training for cognitive decline is gaining attention as a way to help older adults stay mentally sharp longer. As an elder law and estate planning attorney in
DC, I often meet clients and families dealing with the early signs of cognitive decline. Whether it’s forgetting names,misplacing documents, or repeating conversations, memory issues add a layer of worry—especially when we suspect it could be the beginning of something more serious.
That’s why the opening session at NAELA’s 2025 Annual Conference in Seattle gave me hope.
“I’ve never met a bad memory,” said memory expert Matthew Goerke. “You don’t have a memory problem—you have a recall problem.”
Goerke has spent over 30 years teaching practical strategies to improve recall. What stood out in his presentation was his firm belief that cognitive decline is not inevitable with age—and that memory can be strengthened with regular mental training.
A Tool to Strengthen Memory—Even in the Face of Dementia
“It’s simply not true that memory has to get worse with age,” Goerke explained. “The brain is like a muscle. It can be trained.”
He described how he used these techniques with his own mother after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis—not as a cure, but as a way to slow down the disease’s effects and preserve her engagement longer.
That message is consistent with published research. In a long-term study by Rebok et al., participants aged 65 and older who received cognitive training in reasoning and processing speed showed sustained improvements up to 10 years later in key areas of function (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2014).
Another landmark study by Wilson et al. found that older adults who frequently engaged in mentally stimulating activities—like reading, playing games, or writing—were significantly less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, a 1-point increase in their cognitive activity score was linked to a 33% reduced risk (JAMA, 2002).
Together, these findings suggest that regular mental exercise may not only boost day-to-day performance—it might also delay the symptoms of dementia.
The Memory Switch System
Goerke’s method, known as The Memory Switch, is built on three techniques:
Visualize the information
Place it into structured mental “file folders”
Reinforce it through repetition
At the conference, Goerke guided a room of attorneys through a live memory exercise using these principles. Within minutes, most participants recalled a 15-word list in exact order. It was a clear, engaging demonstration that memory can be trained—even under pressure.
What This Means for Aging Clients and Caregivers
For those aging at home, or for family members worried about a loved one’s memory, a tool like this provides something rare: a sense of agency. It’s not about preventing Alzheimer’s or reversing dementia—it’s about doing what we can, while we can, to slow the decline and preserve independence.
In my elder law practice, I often emphasize planning ahead. This presentation reminded me that proactive mental training could be just as important as legal or financial planning in maintaining quality of life.
How to Learn More
The Memory Switch is a 10-hour home study program that breaks memory training into short, effective lessons. It includes recall drills, memory exercises, and techniques that work across age and ability levels. You can learn more at www.thememoryswitch.com.
A Hopeful Step Forward
No single method will stop memory loss. But we now have good evidence that engaging your brain regularly—through learning, focus, and recall—can improve mental performance and delay decline.
If a memory program can offer you or a loved one more clarity, more confidence, or even just a little more time, I think that’s worth serious consideration. As an elder law attorney in DC, I’m always looking for ways to support my clients as they age. This is one more tool I’m glad to know about.