Researchers created a new program to help people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and their family members or caregivers make healthy lifestyle changes together. The 6-month program meets every other week and teaches about exercise, diet, sleep, and staying mentally active. Scientists want to see if having a support partner helps people stick with these healthy habits better than trying alone, especially when people are also taking new Alzheimer’s medicines. The study will track how well people do and how they feel emotionally over a full year.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a group program that teaches healthy habits works better when people with early Alzheimer’s disease have a support partner (like a family member) helping them make changes together.
  • Who participated: People diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease who are taking new Alzheimer’s medicines, plus one support partner each (like a spouse, adult child, or close friend) they choose to join the program with them.
  • Key finding: This is a new program being tested, so results aren’t available yet. The researchers designed it based on evidence suggesting that having someone support you makes it easier to stick with healthy habits and that these habits might help the new medicines work better.
  • What it means for you: If you or a loved one has early Alzheimer’s disease, this suggests that programs combining medical treatment with lifestyle support—especially with a partner—might be worth exploring. However, this is still being studied, so talk with your doctor about what’s available in your area.

The Research Details

Researchers created a new Brain Health program specifically designed for people with early Alzheimer’s disease who are taking new medicines called disease-modifying therapies (like lecanemab). The program runs for 6 months with sessions every other week lasting 60-90 minutes, led by neuropsychologists—doctors who specialize in how the brain works and how it affects thinking and emotions.

Each month starts with a teaching session about important topics for brain health, such as exercise, healthy eating, sleep, staying mentally sharp, and managing stress. After the teaching, participants meet in smaller pairs (the patient and their chosen support partner) to set personal goals and check on their progress. The support partner is someone the patient chooses—often a family member or close friend—to help them stay motivated and accountable.

The researchers will collect information from both patients and their partners at the start, at 3 months, at 6 months (when the program ends), and again at 12 months to see if people keep up with their healthy habits. They’re measuring things like how much people know about brain health, how motivated they feel, how confident they are in making changes, and how they’re doing emotionally.

This research approach is important because it combines two powerful ideas: (1) that healthy lifestyle changes can slow down thinking problems in early Alzheimer’s disease, and (2) that having someone support you makes it much easier to stick with changes. Most programs for people with thinking problems focus only on the patient, but this one includes the support partner because research shows that having someone working with you creates a ‘ripple effect’—you both influence each other to stay healthy. This is especially important now that new medicines exist that can slow Alzheimer’s disease, because healthy habits might help these medicines work even better.

This is a well-designed program based on solid scientific theories about how people change their behavior and what motivates them. The researchers are collecting detailed information at multiple time points, which helps them understand what’s working and why. The program is led by specialists (neuropsychologists) trained in both brain health and behavior change. However, since this is a new program, results aren’t available yet, so we don’t know how well it will actually work in practice. The study will need to be completed and analyzed before we can say for certain whether it helps people.

What the Results Show

This research paper describes a program that is being launched, not results from a completed study. The researchers designed the Brain Health program based on existing evidence that suggests lifestyle changes—like exercise, good sleep, healthy eating, and staying mentally active—can help slow down memory and thinking problems in early Alzheimer’s disease. They also based it on research showing that when people try to make healthy changes with a support partner, they’re more likely to succeed and stick with the changes long-term.

The program brings together patients with early Alzheimer’s disease who are taking new medicines with a support partner of their choice. By meeting regularly in a group setting with professional guidance, participants learn about brain health and work together on personal goals. The researchers believe this combination—medical treatment plus lifestyle support plus partner involvement—creates the best chance for success.

The study will measure several important outcomes: whether people actually make and keep up with healthy lifestyle changes, whether they feel more confident in their ability to make these changes, how motivated they stay, and how they feel emotionally. They’ll also look at whether having a support partner really does make a difference compared to what we know from other studies.

Beyond the main goal of helping people stick with healthy habits, the researchers are also studying how support partners can best help. They want to understand different styles of support—some people might work best with a partner who cheers them on, while others might do better with a partner who helps them plan and problem-solve. The study will also look at what makes it harder or easier for people to make these changes, such as family situations, work schedules, or other health problems. Understanding these factors could help doctors and counselors give better advice to future patients.

This program builds on years of research showing that lifestyle changes matter for brain health. Previous studies have shown that exercise, healthy diet, good sleep, staying mentally active, and managing stress can all help slow down thinking problems. Some research has also shown that support from family members or friends helps people stick with healthy changes. However, most programs for people with early thinking problems haven’t included the support partner as an active participant. This program is newer and more complete because it brings everyone together—the patient, the support partner, and the medical team—all working toward the same goals.

Since this is a description of a new program rather than completed results, we can’t yet know how well it will work. The study hasn’t been finished, so there’s no data showing whether people actually benefit. Also, the program requires people to commit to 6 months of regular meetings, which might be difficult for some people depending on where they live or their schedules. The program is led by specialists, which is good for quality but might mean it’s not available everywhere. Finally, people who join might be different from the general population—they might be more motivated or have more family support—which could affect the results.

The Bottom Line

If you have early Alzheimer’s disease and are taking new medicines, ask your doctor whether a program like this is available in your area. If it is, consider participating, especially if you have a family member or close friend willing to join you. The evidence suggests that combining medical treatment with lifestyle changes and partner support gives you the best chance of slowing down thinking problems and feeling better emotionally. (Confidence level: Moderate—based on existing research, though this specific program is still being tested.)

This program is designed for people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (especially those taking new medicines) and their support partners. Family members and caregivers should care because they play an important role in helping their loved one succeed. Doctors and counselors should care because this approach might become a standard part of treatment. People with normal aging or other types of dementia should talk with their doctor about whether similar approaches might help them.

The program itself lasts 6 months, but researchers will follow participants for a full year to see if people keep up with their healthy habits after the program ends. Most people don’t see big changes in thinking ability overnight—brain health improvements usually take weeks to months to notice. You might feel better emotionally and more energetic within a few weeks, but improvements in memory and thinking might take longer.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly: (1) minutes of exercise completed, (2) hours of sleep each night, (3) number of times you did a mentally challenging activity (like puzzles or learning something new), and (4) a mood/energy rating from 1-10. This mirrors the program’s focus areas.
  • Set one SMART goal each week with your support partner using the app. For example: ‘Walk for 30 minutes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday’ or ‘Go to bed by 10pm on weeknights.’ Share progress with your partner through the app to stay accountable.
  • Use the app to check in with your support partner every other week (matching the program schedule). Review your tracking data together monthly to celebrate wins and adjust goals. Set reminders for healthy habits and program sessions. After 6 months, continue using the app to maintain habits you’ve built.

This research describes a new program that is being studied and results are not yet available. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare team. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment, please discuss all treatment options, including lifestyle changes and new medicines, with your healthcare provider. The effectiveness of this specific program has not yet been proven. Always consult with qualified medical professionals before starting any new health program or treatment.