Lifestyle interventions can slow cognitive decline

FitOn HealthJanuary 226 min read

Lifestyle Changes Can Protect Brain Health — What It Means for You and Your Workplace

Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 7 million Americans, and diagnoses are increasing, even among younger adults. For employers, this represents not just a health concern but a workplace challenge: cognitive decline can affect productivity, engagement, and long-term employee well-being.

A groundbreaking 2025 study on Alzheimer's and cognitive decline in U.S. POINTER, found that structured lifestyle interventions can actually slow cognitive decline. These findings provide actionable insights for employers to integrate brain health into workplace wellness programs.

In this post, well break down the study findings, explore why they matter for employees, and outline concrete steps HR leaders can take to support cognitive health across the workforce.

Understanding the U.S. POINTER Study

The U.S. POINTER study involved over 2,100 older adults randomized into two groups:

Self-Guided Lifestyle Changes: Participants received general guidance on healthy habits and were encouraged to make changes at their own pace.
Structured Multidomain Intervention: Participants followed a supported program with clear goals across four key areas:
- Nutrition – following a brain-healthy diet similar to the MIND diet
- Physical Activity – combining aerobic, strength, and flexibility exercises
- Social & Cognitive Engagement – participating in activities to challenge the brain and build social connections
- Health Monitoring – tracking blood pressure, cholesterol, and other cardiovascular markers

Over a period of 2 years, researchers measured changes in participants’ cognitive function. Both groups showed improvements in cognitive performance, but participants in the structured intervention group experienced significantly greater cognitive improvement compared to those in the self-guided group.

These findings demonstrate that engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors — particularly through a structured, supported program — can positively influence brain health in older adults at risk for cognitive decline.

The bottom line: healthy behavior has a powerful impact on brain health.

Why This Matters for Employers

Cognitive health isn’t just a personal issue — it’s a workplace priority. Employees with stronger cognitive function are better able to focus, problem-solve, and engage with their work. For HR leaders and workplace wellness professionals, these insights, on top of others, offer a roadmap to integrate evidence-based brain health strategies into programs and benefits:

Preventive Health: Structured lifestyle programs help employees maintain cognitive function, reducing risks of dementia-related conditions in the long term.
Engagement & Productivity: Well-being programs that address cognitive health can increase participation and foster a culture of well-being.
ROI & Data Insights: Employers can track engagement and outcomes, demonstrating measurable impact from wellness investments.

Integrating these principles into HR benefits strategies and workplace wellness programs allows organizations to support employees’ long-term well-being, while aligning benefits with science-backed interventions.

What Employees Can Do Now

While programs and resources can help, personal lifestyle choices play a key role. Research shows that consistent habits in areas like nutrition, physical activity, social engagement, and health monitoring can support long-term cognitive health.

5 Actionable Steps for Employees

Here are practical ways employees can apply these findings to support brain health in their daily lives.

1. Nourish Your Brain with the Right Foods

The study emphasized the importance of a brain-healthy diet, such as the MIND diet, which combines elements of the Mediterranean and DASH diets. Key recommendations include:

Leafy greens: Spinach, kale, collard greens — aim for daily servings.
Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, and other antioxidant-rich fruits.
Whole grains: Oats, quinoa, brown rice for sustained energy and cardiovascular support.
Lean proteins and healthy fats: Fish, poultry, olive oil, and nuts.
Limit processed foods and added sugars: These can negatively affect cardiovascular and brain health.

2. Move Your Body Regularly

Physical activity supports blood flow to the brain, cardiovascular health, and overall cognitive function. Many people can benefit from structured exercise routines, including:

Aerobic activity: 30-35 minutes most days (walking, swimming, cycling).
Strength training: Two sessions per week to maintain muscle mass and metabolic health.
Flexibility and balance exercises: Yoga, stretching, or Pilates to support mobility and prevent injury.

Even small changes — like walking meetings or daily stretching breaks — can add up over time.

3. Engage Socially and Mentally

Cognitive health depends on keeping your brain active. Social connections also play a key role in reducing stress and supporting emotional well-being. Strategies include:

Participating in group learning or hobby classes
Completing puzzles, brain games, or new skill challenges
Volunteering or joining community organizations to stay socially connected
Engaging in mentally stimulating tasks at work, such as cross-functional projects or problem-solving teams

4. Monitor Your Health

The study emphasized that managing cardiovascular and metabolic health is crucial for brain health. Employees should:

Track blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and weight regularly
Follow up with healthcare providers for preventive care
Manage chronic conditions with lifestyle changes and medication adherence as needed

5. Make It a Habit

Consistency is key. Research shows that structured, supported interventions outperform self-guided approaches. Encourage employees to:

Set small, achievable goals
Track progress using apps, journals, or wearable devices
Pair lifestyle changes with workplace programs for accountability and support

How Employers Can Apply These Insights

For HR leaders and benefits professionals, the results provide clear strategies to support employees’ brain health:

1. Build Holistic Wellness Programs

Well-being programs should combine nutrition, fitness, social engagement, cognitive stimulation, and health monitoring. Programs addressing multiple areas are more effective at sustaining healthy behaviors and protecting cognitive function.

2. Encourage Participation

Participation is not automatic. Employers should:

Offer incentives for engaging in wellness programs, such as rewards or recognition
Run campaigns or challenges around physical activity, brain training, or healthy eating
Communicate clearly about available resources and program benefits

3. Use Data to Track and Optimize

To maximize impact, employers should partner with health plans and wellness vendors to:

Track program engagement, progress, and outcomes
Adjust programs based on data insights
Report on ROI and employee health improvements

4. Educate Employees About Brain Health

Awareness is the first step toward adoption. Employers can:

Provide educational sessions about cognitive decline risk and prevention
Highlight the link between lifestyle and brain health
Offer tools and resources employees can use at home

5. Make Cognitive Health Part of Company Culture

Finally, cognitive health should be integrated into the overall wellness culture. Encourage practices such as:

Mindful breaks during the workday
Walking meetings or active breaks
Opportunities for learning and skill-building
Social events that foster connection and collaboration

Lifestyle Interventions can Promote Brain Health

The U.S. POINTER Study proves that cognitive health is not predetermined — it can be influenced through lifestyle. Structured interventions focusing on nutrition, exercise, social and cognitive engagement, and health monitoring significantly slow cognitive decline.

For employees, this means small, consistent lifestyle changes can have a lasting impact on brain health.

For employers, this is an opportunity to design programs that support cognitive well-being, align benefits with science, and foster a culture of long-term health and engagement.

By integrating evidence-based strategies into wellness programs, employers can help their teams stay sharp, resilient, and healthy — today and into the future.