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An Interview with Dr. Krystal Culler, DBH, MA: Rethinking Brain Health, Dementia Support, and the Future of Long-Term Care

Interview and Blog By Mare Ruland, Simon Health



Some conversations leave you inspired. Others leave you thinking differently about what care could look like.


That’s exactly what happened during my conversation with Dr. Krystal Culler, founder of the Virtual Brain Health Center.


As a former nurse + activity director in a memory care unit, and someone who has watched both of my grandmothers live with dementia, I’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming a diagnosis can feel — not only for the person diagnosed, but for entire families trying to navigate a system filled with gaps, waitlists, and fragmented support.


What stood out most about Krystal’s work is that she isn’t just talking about dementia care differently — she’s actively building systems designed around prevention, accessibility, emotional well-being, and long-term engagement.

And perhaps most importantly, she’s reminding people that life after diagnosis is still life.


“Do One Thing Better for Your Brain”


When I asked Krystal what advice she would give someone newly diagnosed with dementia, her answer was surprisingly simple:


“Do one thing each day that’s better for your brain.”


Not overhaul your life overnight. Not memorize complicated protocols. Not drown in information.


Just one better choice.


Maybe it’s eating breakfast. Going to bed earlier. Taking a short walk. Drinking more water. Resting when your brain needs rest.


That philosophy has become central to Krystal’s work because many people in the early stages of cognitive change are completely overwhelmed by the volume of information thrown at them after diagnosis.


“We have to stop making people feel like they have to become experts overnight,” she shared.


Instead, the focus should be on sustainable, brain-healthy lifestyles that support independence, emotional regulation, and quality of life over time.



A Personal Journey That Changed Everything


Krystal’s path into brain health work wasn’t linear.


Her lived experience — including supporting family members through brain health challenges and witnessing dementia firsthand in her own family — shaped the way she began to view care systems.


Rather than approaching dementia only as a disease, she began asking bigger questions about behavior, aging, and how we care for people.

“The system wasn’t designed for long-term support,” she explained.


That realization ultimately led her to pursue deeper work in behavioral health and healthcare systems design — searching not just for better interventions, but for better structures of support.


Why Brain Health Belongs in Dementia Care


One of the most powerful parts of our conversation centered around a question that now feels obvious:


Why was brain health ever separated from dementia care in the first place?


Krystal pointed out that brain health was missing from many dementia conversations for years. Yet the evidence has continued to grow, showing that what we do every day—from how we sleep and move to how we connect with others—can have a lasting impact on brain health.


Today, she advocates heavily for prevention and early intervention — especially for people newly diagnosed or experiencing subjective cognitive changes.


“Many people can stay in the early stages for years,” she emphasized.

That perspective is critically important because so many families hear the word dementia and immediately feel hopeless.


But Krystal sees dementia differently. A diagnosis doesn't mean life is over. People can still grow. They can still find purpose. They can still experience joy.



Krystal launched the Virtual Brain Health Center during COVID-19, after studying dementia prevention and brain health through her academic and professional work in brain health systems.


What began as a small local initiative has since expanded into a global educational platform reaching individuals in more than 125 countries.



The center now offers:


What stood out most was Krystal’s commitment to accessibility.


Nearly everything outward-facing is intentionally free.


The Problem With “Short-Term” Dementia Support


One topic we kept returning to was the massive gap in long-term support.

So many dementia programs operate on temporary timelines: Six-week classes. Short-term support groups. One-time consultations.

And then families are left asking: “What now?”


Krystal described hearing the same frustration repeatedly: There’s no continuity.


That’s part of why she is developing ongoing brain health coaching and continuous “brain gym” style support spaces — programs designed not just for education, but for sustained connection over time.


Dementia care isn’t linear. Needs change constantly. Emotional regulation shifts daily. Support systems need to evolve alongside people — not disappear after a few sessions.


We also discussed the idea of a “dementia doula” model: someone who walks alongside individuals and families continuously from diagnosis onward.


Because what people often need most is not just information — it’s ongoing guidance.


Technology Should Reduce Anxiety — Not Create It


At Simon Health, we’ve been focused on building tools that simplify dementia care rather than overwhelm people with complicated systems and cognitive overload.


Krystal strongly echoed that need.


She explained that many people living with cognitive change struggle not because they cannot learn technology — but because modern systems are often overstimulating, cluttered, and exhausting.


Too many clicks. Too many screens. Too much noise.


“People get lost after multiple click-throughs,” she explained.


Instead, she emphasized the importance of adaptive, calming, intuitive systems that reduce stress and support independence.


Emotional Regulation: The Missing Conversation


One of the most important parts of our interview was the discussion around emotional regulation.


As someone who has worked in memory care and walked alongside families living with dementia, I've seen how stress and emotional overwhelm can change the course of a day. They affect how people communicate, how they respond to one another, and how they experience everyday life.


Krystal reminded me that emotional regulation isn't just important for the care partner. It matters just as much for the person living with dementia.


Small things can make a big difference. Getting enough rest. Staying hydrated. Taking breaks before becoming overwhelmed. Planning activities for times of day when someone has the most energy. These aren't just good habits—they can help make each day calmer and more enjoyable.


She shared practical examples from her work:

  • Adjusting schedules to reduce overstimulation

  • Prioritizing hydration to reduce infection risk

  • Avoiding high-energy activities before transitions

  • Building in restorative “brain breaks” throughout the day


Looking Ahead


As our conversation wrapped up, one thing became very clear:

The future of dementia care cannot rely solely on crisis intervention.


It must include:

  • Prevention

  • Early support

  • Long-term engagement

  • Accessible education

  • Emotional regulation

  • Simpler technology

  • Community-centered care


Most importantly, her work is a reminder that a dementia diagnosis doesn't take away someone's humanity. There is still so much life to be lived.


I am deeply grateful to Dr. Krystal Culler for sharing her expertise and vision, which are helping reshape brain health support for families worldwide.


To learn more about Dr. Krystal Culler and the Virtual Brain Health Center, visit their website or explore their educational programming online.


About Dr. Krystal Culler

Dr. Krystal L. Culler, DBH, MA, is a Doctor of Behavioral Health and the Founder of the Virtual Brain Health Center. She specializes in translating brain science into accessible education and global initiatives that empower individuals, caregivers, and communities through prevention and long-term support. She writes a weekly ‘Brain Health 4-1-1’ Newsletter on Substack that includes brain health science updates that are widely accessible and spotlights free resources. 

 
 
 
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