INSPIRE Program
    A group of older adults and caregivers laughing together outdoors during an INSPIRE community connection
    Free · Faith-network powered · Congregations nationwide

    What you do todaycould changeeverything.

    The conditions we fear most — dementia, diabetes, heart disease — are shaped in part by how we live. INSPIRE brings the science, the coaching, and the people who'll walk it with you. Your congregation owns this work. Charles R. Drew University is the research partner.

    Join Free Today →See How It Works
    400+
    Neighbors already in the program
    Free
    No cost, ever. Just show up.
    12 months
    One year of guided support & education
    45%
    of dementia cases are linked to risk we can change*
    INSPIRE Program brain health lecture with presenters on stage
    Community volunteer serving healthy food at INSPIRE event
    Community leaders speaking at INSPIRE program gathering
    Volunteers preparing nutritious meals at community event
    INSPIRE marquee sign with colorful balloon decorations
    Health educator sharing information at community booth
    About the Program

    What is INSPIRE?

    Intervention Strategies for Preserving Intellectual Resilience and Engagement

    INSPIRE is a proven lifestyle intervention program shown to help prevent cognitive decline, improve cognitive function, and support healthier lives by reducing the risk of conditions like stroke, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.

    INSPIRE community members gathered together

    500+

    Participants nationwide

    Built with the community,
    for the community

    We believe the best health programs come from listening to the people they serve. INSPIRE was created in partnership with faith leaders, congregations, and communities who know their members best.

    Evidence-Based Approach

    Built on decades of research in brain health and wellness

    Culturally Respectful

    Designed with and for communities of all backgrounds and sizes

    Real Support, Real People

    Trained community advisors from your own neighborhood

    Five Pillars of Brain Health

    Based on the 'NEURO' framework from neurologists and public health advocates Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

    Nutrition

    Simple, practical guidance on eating for brain health

    Exercise

    Gentle exercises that fit your life and abilities

    Unwind

    Tools for managing stress and finding calm

    Sleep

    Better sleep habits for a sharper mind

    Optimize

    Learn, connect, and build brain resilience together

    Your Role

    You are the spark that lights the fire.

    Most of us were never told that ordinary daily choices — what's on the plate, how much we move, how well we sleep, who we sit with — are the same things that help protect the brain.

    INSPIRE starts with you

    Sign Up Free →
    How one person's change spreads
    You learn something new. You try it. You notice a difference.
    Your family asks what you're doing. Some of them join in
    Your congregation shifts, one household at a time.
    How It Works

    Simple steps.
    Real change.

    01
    Check Your Eligibility
    Answer a few quick questions to see if INSPIRE is a fit. Adults 55 and older at a partner congregation are welcome to join.
    02
    Get Your Brain Health Snapshot
    A free, private, 10-minute cognitive check you can do on a phone. No doctor visit. You'll see your results right away.
    03
    Join Your Program
    You'll start in either the coached group or the self-paced track. Both are free and both follow the same science.
    04
    Switch at 6 Months
    Halfway through, you move to the other track, so everyone gets both by the end of the year.
    05
    See Your Progress
    At 6 and 12 months you repeat the same check. You'll see, in plain numbers, what has changed.
    Find Yourself Here

    Is INSPIRE Right for You?

    INSPIRE welcomes everyone who cares about brain health — whether for yourself, a loved one, or your congregation.

    Individuals Concerned About Brain Health

    If you're interested in protecting your memory and cognitive function, INSPIRE offers practical, supportive guidance.

    • Anyone with family history of Alzheimer's
    • Those seeking prevention strategies

    Caregivers & Family Members

    Caring for someone? INSPIRE has material and a group of people who know what that takes.

    • Spouse or partner caregivers
    • Adult children supporting parents
    • Those seeking connection and support

    Faith & Ministry Leaders

    Bring INSPIRE to your congregation. Partner with us to support your members' health and spiritual wellness.

    • Church health ministries
    • Pastoral care teams
    • Those who want to make a difference in their congregation

    Partner Organizations

    Join our coalition of organizations committed to community health. Together, we can reach more people.

    • Healthcare organizations
    • Senior centers
    • Community health initiatives

    Every participant matters. Every congregation counts.

    INSPIRE is building healthier faith communities across America, one person at a time. Your participation helps create ripples of positive change.

    Get InvolvedFor Faith & Ministry Leaders
    The Science

    This isn't hope.
    It's evidence.

    Decades of research point to daily habits as some of the strongest predictors of brain health. That's what INSPIRE is built on.

    45%
    of dementia cases worldwide are linked to 14 risk factors we can act on
    14
    modifiable risk factors named by the Lancet Commission, from hearing and vision to activity, diet, and social connection
    2–3×
    higher risk of dementia among African American and Latino adults compared with white adults
    Figures come from peer-reviewed research: Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care, 2024 · Alzheimer's Association, 2024. INSPIRE doesn't promise any individual health outcome. Changing daily habits is associated with lower risk, and results vary from person to person.
    Where we focus first
    🥦
    Nutrition
    Plant-rich eating is associated with lower dementia and heart-disease risk.
    🏃
    Physical Activity
    In large studies, people who move regularly show less cognitive decline over time (Lancet Commission, 2024).
    😴
    Sleep Quality
    Steady sleep supports the brain's overnight clearing of proteins linked to Alzheimer's.
    🧘
    Stress Management
    Long-running stress is associated with faster brain aging. Some people find that quiet practice and steady support help.
    🫂
    Social Connection
    Close ties are among the most protective factors we know of against cognitive decline.

    INSPIRE Project Methodology

    Detailed insights on how we're managing the INSPIRE Project, to maximize its efficiency, efficacy, and global impact.

    Inclusion Criteria

    Participants will be adults aged 55 and older, without a diagnosis of dementia but at risk for cognitive decline. They must also be willing to participate in lifestyle intervention programs.

    Interventions

    The intervention group will receive structured lifestyle interventions tailored to Alzheimer's prevention and cognitive health, including dietary guidance, exercise programs, cognitive training, and social engagement activities. The control group will receive standard care or placebo interventions as appropriate.

    Data Collection

    Data collection will include baseline assessments (including cognitive tests, medical history, and lifestyle questionnaires) and follow-up assessments at regular intervals (e.g., 6 months, 12 months). Cognitive function will be assessed using a quick online electronic test, ensuring standardized and objective measurements.

    Statistical Considerations

    Statistical analyses will be conducted to compare outcomes between the intervention and control groups. Key statistical considerations include: sample size determination to ensure adequate power to detect meaningful differences, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and mixed-effects models.

    Ethical Standards and Federal Regulations

    The project will adhere to ethical principles outlined in the Belmont Report, including respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. Specific measures to ensure compliance with federal regulations (e.g., HIPAA) and protection of human subjects include: informed consent processes, Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, and data security and confidentiality.

    In Conclusion

    By adhering to these rigorous protocols and ethical standards, The INSPIRE Project aims to provide valuable insights into effective strategies for preserving intellectual resilience and engagement among faith communities at risk for Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline, which can be standardized and repeated across congregations nationwide.

    Partner With Us

    For Faith & Ministry Leaders

    Bring INSPIRE to your congregation. Partner with us to support the health and spiritual wellbeing of your members nationwide.

    Faith-Aligned

    INSPIRE respects and honors faith traditions, integrating wellness with spiritual community

    Full Support

    We provide training, materials, and ongoing guidance for your health ministry

    True Partnership

    You know your congregation best — we work alongside you, not over you

    Ready to explore how INSPIRE can serve your congregation?

    Connect With Us
    Community Stories

    Real people.
    Real shifts.

    Illustrative examples, written to show the kinds of changes participants describe. They're composites, not quotes from named participants. Consented stories in people's own words are being collected now and will replace these.

    ★★★★★

    "I joined because my mother had Alzheimer's and I was scared. Four months in, I sleep better, I walk most mornings, and I talk to my kids about food in a way I never did before."

    Composite example
    Adult daughter, Los Angeles
    ★★★★★

    "My doctor told me I was pre-diabetic and I figured that was that. INSPIRE showed me it didn't have to be. I'm not fixed, but I know what I'm doing and why."

    Composite example
    Man in his early 70s, Los Angeles
    ★★★★★

    "I signed my mother up. Then she told her friends at church. Now three of us watch the sessions together every week, and it's become something we do as a family."

    Composite example
    Family member of a participant

    FAQs

    INSPIRE is for adults 55 and older who take part through a partner congregation and are in generally normal cognitive health or have mild memory concerns. It's free and open to everyone — all genders, backgrounds, and denominations are welcome. Materials are available in 15 languages, so English isn't required.
    No. INSPIRE is a lifestyle education and research program, not medical care. It doesn't replace your doctor or any medication you take. It helps you understand and work on the daily habits research links to better brain and body health.
    The program runs for 12 months. The guided group meets weekly for 30 to 60 minutes, often at their own church. The self-paced group joins monthly online sessions. There are short assessments at the start, at 6 months, and at 12 months. You can do all of it from home if that's easier.
    Your research data is stored under a study ID, not your name, and it's never sold, shared with insurers, or shown to employers. The signup form on this site collects contact details only — no medical records, lab values, or medication names are stored anywhere in the program. The study is overseen by the Charles R. Drew University Institutional Review Board, and you can ask us to delete your information at any time.
    Yes. Family members who meet the criteria are welcome. Many people find it's easier to keep going with a spouse, a sibling, or an adult child doing it alongside them.
    A smartphone or tablet is enough. Every session and check-in works on a phone. If technology is a barrier, tell us and we'll work it out with your site lead.
    There's no cost and nothing is billed to you or your insurance. INSPIRE is funded by research grants. In return for the education, coaching, and cognitive check-ins, you contribute de-identified data to research on brain health in communities that research has long overlooked. You can stop at any time, for any reason.
    A caregiver supporting an older adult, reflecting the care and community at the heart of INSPIRE
    Join INSPIRE

    Your next step could be the one that changes everything.

    Hundreds of neighbors have already signed up. It's free, it fits around your week, and it runs through your own congregation.

    Have you been diagnosed with dementia or another major illness?

    We keep your details private. By joining, you agree to our Privacy Policy · Terms of Participation.