The Alzheimer's Association U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER) is a two-year clinical trial to evaluate whether lifestyle interventions that simultaneously target many risk factors protect cognitive function in older adults who are at increased risk for cognitive decline. U.S. POINTER is the first large-scale, randomized controlled clinical trial to demonstrate that an accessible and sustainable healthy lifestyle intervention — a combination of diet, exercise, heart health, and cognitive challenge and social engagement — can protect cognitive function in diverse populations in communities across the United States.

Valley Initiative for Vibrant Aging (VIVA) POINTER is a clinical trial to evaluate whether lifestyle interventions that simultaneously target multiple risk factors protect cognitive function in older adults (age 60-79) at increased risk for cognitive decline. This is a new study that target the community of the Rio Grande Valley. Developing a clinical trial based on the Rio Grande Valley community only give more access to healthcare for the community and ensures representation within surround local groups.

The Valley Initiative for Vibrant Aging (VIVA) Pointer is imitating the U.S. Pointer as a model that will apply to participants in the Rio Grande Valley. Participants were randomly assigned to either a self-guided or structured lifestyle program. Both interventions focused on increasing physical activity, improving nutrition, cognitive and social challenge and health monitoring, but differed in structure, accountability and support provided.

Results from the U.S. POINTER clinical trial found that two lifestyle interventions targeting a combination of physical activity, improving nutrition, cognitive and social challenge, and health monitoring improved cognition in older adults at risk of cognitive decline. The Valley Initiative for Vibrant Aging Pointer is adapting these same strategies to the Rio Grande Valley. This is special for our community due to being under represented community of people who are at most vunerable to developing Alzheimer's disease. It is important that we can provide resources and solutions to this community through our Valley Initiative for Vibrant Aging study.

While both interventions improved cognition, the cognitive benefits were even greater for participants in the more structured intervention group, helping to protect thinking and memory from the normal decline that often comes with aging over the nearly two-year period of the study.

Eligibility

• People between the ages of 60 and 79
• People who are not regular exercisers (generally less than 3 times per week)
• People who may have other risks for memory loss in the future such as family history of memory problems or slightly high blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar.
• Live within an area where the study is being conducted
• Additional criteria evaluated at screening

The VIP Idea Lab was a design thinking workshop: Breaking Barriers: Co-creating Brain Health through Community and Innovation. Through this workshop they were able to bring together an incredible and diverse ecosystem, including professionals from the AD/ADRD and senior health sector, public health leaders, researchers, Adopt-a-Startup entrepreneurs, CEO students, and even a recently graduated high school participant. The prescence of this group reflected the true power of intergenerational and interdisciplinary collaboration in action.

Through hands-on Design Thinking and collaborative dialogue, we explored a deeply meaningful question:

How might we:

1. Support individuals at risk of cognitive decline in underserved communities to
2. Design accessible, culturally responsive, and engaging dementia-prevention experiences to
3. Reduce barriers, increase participation, promote healthy behaviors, and improve quality of life

In just a few hours, this group co-created nine innovative prototypes addressing real community needs. Beyond the number, what stood out was:

• The depth of empathy and human-centered thinking
• The cultural responsiveness and inclusivity embedded in your designs
• The focus on prevention, accessibility, and engagement
• The integration of health behaviors with community connection and trust

Bilingual Advisory Toolkit

We elaborated a comprehensive 4-page guide for local community advisory board members detailing project vision, core goals, and participant roles.

CAB Selection Criteria & Composition:

- Local older adults (55+), family caregivers, community health workers (promotores), clinicians, and local neighborhood leaders.

- Representation of the Cameron Park catchment area, bilingual proficiency, deep community trust, and personal commitment to brain health.

In order to help spread awareness and promote brain health to our community we are bringing on Community Health Workers called Promotoras.

Currently we are training 12 promotoras from the Cameron Park area to be Coaches and leaders of the Valley Initiative Vibrant Aging (VIVA) POINTER program. This training curriculum include 10 modules related to US Pointer Fundamentals, Motivational Interviewing, Group Facilitation, Four Lifestyle domains, and others.

After completing their training, they will start working with people in the community that will help improve the work of the Valley Initiative Vibrant Aging (VIVA) POINTER program.

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission through the Vibrant Initiative for Vibrant Aging is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.