Bulletin vol. 29 no. 2 | 5
Patient Corner
The CAPE Model of Cognitive Health
John Randolph, Ph.D.
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Most people experience forgetfulness and other cognitive lapses from time to time. These are usually minor—such as forgetting a word
in conversation, the name of an acquaintance, or where the keys are—but can nevertheless be concerning, particularly as we age. For
these and other reasons, individuals working with a neuropsychologist often ask, "how can I improve my memory?" There are many
strategies to improve our memory and other thinking skills, and various books and other references are devoted to this topic. One
overarching "model" to use as a reminder for different strategies and lifestyle choices is the "CAPE" model. "CAPE" is an acronym that
stands for four broad strategies to improve brain and cognitive health:
• Compensatory cognitive and emotional strategies
• Activity engagement (including physical, social, and intellectual/mental activity)
• Prevention of cognitive problems
• Education about the brain and cognitive skills
