A Milestone in Brain Health: U.S. POINTER Study Confirms Lifestyle Can Protect Memory

Dementia, a progressive decline in cognitive function, is one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time. It affects millions of Americans and places a significant emotional, financial, and social burden on families. Until recently, much of the conversation around dementia has focused on treatment and care. But with the release of results from the U.S. POINTER Study, there is now compelling evidence that prevention — and the powerful role lifestyle can play — must become central to the conversation.

West Health has long recognized the urgent need to address dementia as part of a broader vision for successful aging. Through our work advancing Geriatric Emergency Departments nationwide, creating the National Aging Readiness Dashboard on the new Mosaic platform, and supporting caregivers through programs like PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), West Health has seen firsthand how dementia impacts older adults, their families, and communities. The POINTER Study reinforces much of what this work has shown: with the right investments in care, prevention, and community support, it is possible to change the trajectory of dementia.

Dementia is Not a Normal Part of Aging

Dementia is caused by brain disorders that impair memory, thinking, and decision-making. It is not a normal part of aging, though age is a major risk factor. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, followed by vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Many older adults experience mixed dementia, with features of multiple types.

Although only about 1 in 9 adults over age 65 is affected, concern is widespread. A West Health–Gallup poll found that more than 60% of older adults worry about developing cognitive issues as they age. Dementia already costs the U.S. over $360 billion annually, with projections nearing $1 trillion by 2050. Beyond medical and long-term care costs, more than 11 million unpaid caregivers provide billions of hours of support each year.

Dementia is also deadly — Alzheimer’s is the fifth-leading cause of death among older adults. In 2022, dementia was the underlying cause of 288,000 deaths, and Alzheimer’s mortality has more than doubled since 2000, even as death rates from conditions like heart disease have declined.

The Power of Prevention

Research shows that up to 40–45% of dementia cases may be preventable by addressing modifiable risk factors. Lifestyle factors — such as managing cardiovascular health, staying physically and socially active, maintaining a healthy diet, and treating hearing loss — play a critical role. New diagnostic tools, like the FDA-authorized blood test to help identify Alzheimer’s disease, may also enable earlier and more accessible detection and intervention.

The U.S. POINTER Study

The Alzheimer’s Association’s U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (POINTER) is the first large-scale, randomized controlled clinical trial in the United States to test whether multiple lifestyle changes can protect cognitive function in older adults at risk for dementia.

Over two years, half of the participants engaged in a structured lifestyle program that included healthy diet, physical activity, cognitive and social engagement, and heart health management. The other half participated in a lower-intensity, self-guided program.

The results were clear: both groups improved, but those in the structured program experienced significantly greater cognitive benefits. This reinforces the message that prevention is not only possible — it is powerful.

A Promising Future in Dementia Care

The POINTER Study marks a significant milestone in dementia research, offering strong evidence that lifestyle changes can help protect cognitive function in older adults at risk. While it does not offer a cure, the study shows that prevention is possible and provides a foundation for clinicians to build proactive care plans following a diagnosis. 

As an organization deeply committed to improving aging in America, these findings should serve as a catalyst for broader policy and system change. Investing in prevention-focused research, improving early diagnosis, and strengthening the dementia care workforce are critical next steps. Most importantly, POINTER offers something previously missing in the conversation around dementia: hope grounded in evidence. It empowers individuals, families, and communities to act—because protecting brain health is not only possible, but also within reach.