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Recent research provides evidence for what geriatricians have long observed: Having a sense of purpose and staying active as you age can help reduce cognitive decline.
For decades, those of us who work with older adults have noticed an impactful connection: People with an active, engaged lifestyle tend to have better cognitive health. We’ve long observed that staying social, exercising regularly, and having something meaningful to do were vital for the brain.
Now, we have proof.
Exciting, recently published evidence provides the objective, scientific data we need to confidently tell patients that lifestyle choices can be powerful medicine protecting against cognitive decline and dementia.
This is a huge source of optimism for my colleagues and me. It means we can now give patients and families evidence-backed, actionable advice for managing age-related brain health.
New evidence provides optimism.
One major study, called “Effects of Structured vs. Self-Guided Multidomain Lifestyle Interventions for Global Cognitive Function: The U.S. POINTER Randomized Clinical Trial” was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in July of 2025.
At five clinical sites, 2,111 patients at risk of cognitive decline were enrolled and divided into two groups. Both groups were encouraged to increase their physical and cognitive activity, eat a healthy diet, socialize, and monitor their heart health. One group received coaching support for these activities, while the second was self-directed.
Researchers found that both groups improved their cognitive function by adopting a healthy lifestyle. The group that was provided with structured coaching showed greater improvement.
Another recent study, published in October 2025 in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, examined the association between a sense of purpose in life and depressive symptoms. They studied whether a sense of purpose reduces the risk or delays the onset of cognitive impairment. It’s called “Life Purpose Lowers Risk for Cognitive Impairment in a United States Population-Based Cohort.”
In this observational study, researchers examined the records of 13,765 participants in the Health and Retirement Study. These participants were all over 45 with normal cognitive performance.
After statistical analysis, accounting for race, gender, genetics, and other factors, they found that study participants with a stronger sense of purpose in life had a 28% lower risk of developing cognitive impairment than those with little sense of purpose.
These findings confirm that active engagement is a key to brain health as we age.
Related: Read “Research Finds Caregiver Support Associated with Longer Survival in Homebound Older Adults.”
What is cognitive decline, and who is at risk?
Cognitive decline is a change in the ability to think, remember, or make decisions. It is a growing public health concern, with about 1 in 9 adults over age 45 reporting subjective cognitive decline.
Those at highest risk for developing cognitive challenges are those in their 50s, 60s, or 70s with a genetic history of family members with dementia and existing health issues. Other key risk factors include:
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Drinking a lot of alcohol at once (binge drinking)
- A history of head injury
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
Are you or a loved one experiencing symptoms of cognitive decline?
Our geriatric experts are here to help.
Call 877-772-6505.
Social connection: A workout for the brain.
I worked as a physician caring for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. I saw firsthand how quickly cognitive health can decline, noticing a quick worsening of memory and cognition, even among patients who didn’t get the virus.
The common factor? Isolation.
Socializing is an essential form of brain exercise. When you socialize, the brain works on more than one level:
- Organization: You must prepare, get dressed, make a plan, and figure out transportation
- Engagement: While on the scene, your brain works hard to understand what’s going on, listen to what people are saying, and figure out how to respond
- Plasticity: All this complex engagement promotes brain plasticity, which is the ability to use and connect different areas to support and strengthen itself
Studies like U.S. POINTER confirm that increasing your social engagement can directly support your brain health and fend off cognitive decline.
Related: Read “Research: Social Connection Impacts Health Outcomes for Children and Families.”
Finding meaning: The many benefits of purpose.
What does it mean to have a sense of purpose in your life? It’s about engaging with something you find personally meaningful, and it doesn’t matter very much what that is. It could be volunteering or joining a club. It could mean taking on a focused project, such as creating a photo album to share with grandkids, or writing your (or someone else’s) memoirs.
Having a purpose helps you build a strong defense against cognitive decline:
- Build resilience to stress: When you’re engaged in something, you’re more resilient. Everyday stressors are less likely to impact you, promoting your overall neurobiological health. Plus, stress is an essential factor in cognitive decline.
- Fight depression: Reducing loneliness and staying engaged helps combat symptoms of depression, which is also a risk factor for declining brain health.
- Protect physical health: Purpose often involves physical activity, such as joining a biking group or going on outings. Being more active helps you take more control over your medical care. This can mean reducing risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, all of which impact your risk of cognitive decline.
It can be challenging to find and maintain purpose during life transitions such as retirement. We’ve observed that patients who retire to a more active, less isolated lifestyle tend to have a lower risk of cognitive decline.
Related: Read “Research: Loneliness and Social Network Impact on Mental Health Well Being.”
A holistic approach to aging.
At the MedStar Health Center for Successful Aging, our interdisciplinary model of care focuses on the whole person, not just the brain. We integrate evidence-backed lifestyle changes into our person-centered approach to care.
When we work with patients who are beginning to experience cognitive decline, we start by asking, “What’s important to you?” What’s meaningful to you?
We listen carefully to our patients’ answers and help them identify ways we can support them in finding purpose. Even when patients have already developed cognitive issues, encouraging purpose through activities such as reminiscing can help. These techniques can slow cognitive decline and are valuable for managing mood and behavioral changes that often accompany cognitive impairment.
Pioneering better aging with research.
MedStar Health Research Institute’s Health Economics Aging Research (H.E.A.R.) Institute is collaborating on studies to develop best practices in senior care. We’re pioneering innovations in health economics and aging research. The H.E.A.R. Institute’s work focuses on areas such as cognitive health, chronic illness, home-based care, and the caregiving workforce because we know these are high-priority areas for seniors and their families.
Working together, we aim to develop a new understanding of aging and translate this evidence into practices that improve aging and support holistic health for everyone.
Related: Read “Research Highlights Family Caregivers’ Central Role in Successful Aging.”
An optimistic future.
I’ve been working with older adults for more than 20 years now. Because of critical research, we can provide our patients with objective, evidence-backed guidance. I’m optimistic that we can now help more people prevent or delay cognitive decline with lifestyle-based tools.
I advise my patients and their caregivers to use these tools to protect their brain health:
- Find a purpose in your life and be active
- Exercise regularly (aim for 150 minutes per week of at least moderate intensity)
- Increase your levels of socialization and engagement
- Follow a healthy diet, like the MIND or Mediterranean diet that emphasizes whole, fresh foods
- Monitor and control vascular risk factors, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation
With new evidence confirming the power of socialization and purpose, I’m confident we can work together to help more people maintain better brain health for longer.
