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(06/18/2025) Researchers from the Atlanta VA and the University of California, Davis, learned a higher sense of purpose in life is associated with a 28% lower risk of developing cognitive impairment and can delay onset of cognitive issues. The researchers followed a sample of almost 14,000 people over age 45 for up to 15 years, measuring their cognitive status over time. A higher sense of purpose in life, measured through a questionnaire, was associated with reduced hazard for cognitive impairment and later onset even after accounting for age, sex, education, depression, race/ethnicity, and genetics. The study defined a purpose in life as the value a person places on their life, the perception of goodness in their life, the ability to create and achieve personal goals, and a prepared and unafraid attitude about death. The findings suggest fostering a sense of life purpose has the potential to reduce cognitive impairment and dementia risk. (American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Jun. 5, 2025)