Diagnosed with Cognitive Decline? Here’s What to Do Next to Protect Brain Health

Last Updated July 9, 2025

You’ve Been Diagnosed With Cognitive Decline. Now What?

Whether your cognitive decline diagnosis indicates mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease, exploring the possible causes is the first step in moving forward.

Symptoms, like forgetting where you placed your glasses, frequently asking the same questions, or failing to recognize familiar people, may have led you to seek medical attention. Perhaps your family noticed changes in your mood or personality and urged you to see a doctor. While your diagnosis is likely frustrating and disconcerting, the most important thing is how you proceed from here.

Sometimes, cognitive issues are caused by something treatable like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, stress, anxiety, medications, or drug and alcohol use. No matter the cause of your decline, the key is to address those factors that can be controlled and treated, then choose a healthier lifestyle moving forward.

Understanding Cognitive Decline and How It Affects Daily Life

Cognitive impairment occurs when a person experiences difficulty remembering, learning new things, concentrating, or making decisions that impact their everyday life. It can range from mild to severe, escalating to the point where the person loses the ability to comprehend, write, or speak. At that stage, a person can no longer live independently.

Age is the greatest risk factor for cognitive impairment.

According to the CDC, cognitive disabilities affect 13.9 million Americans, making it the most common type of disability in the U.S. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older currently have Alzheimer’s disease. That number translates to roughly 1 in 9 older adults.

Six Actions to Take After a Cognitive Decline Diagnosis

Stress and anxiety will most certainly follow on the heels of a diagnosis. Learning to cope in healthy ways will be crucial because stress and anxiety can worsen symptoms of cognitive decline. You may be tempted to isolate because you fear being embarrassed by your condition or want to hide your frustration when you are challenged to remember. However, do not shy away from being challenged. Do just the opposite. Interact even more and engage in things that bring you joy. How you proceed after diagnosis could slow the progression or alter the trajectory of the disease.

Here are six things to do immediately, no matter the diagnosis:

• Eat a balanced diet with plenty of brain-beneficial foods, including blueberries, nuts, leafy vegetables, and fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines. Fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which the brain uses to build neurons, and are essential for learning and storing memories.

• Exercise for at least 30 minutes, five times a week. When you exercise, you feed your brain with oxygen and other nutrients vital for its functioning.

• Challenge your brain daily with activities that keep it stimulated. They help exercise the brain, enhance creativity, improve problem-solving, and may slow memory decline.

• Get adequate sleep. Stay away from things that may overstimulate your brain or body before bedtime.  Sleep allows your body to cleanse the brain of toxins and waste. Getting enough is essential.

• Find a good support system. It will be critical to build a good support system now that you have received a diagnosis. Whether it is a spouse, a friend, a family member, or a support group, having social connections can keep you from feeling alone.

• Manage stress. Self-medicating with drugs and alcohol will only worsen the symptoms of cognitive decline. Instead, try journaling, prayer, meditation, exercise, or similar activities to reduce your stress load.

Is Cognitive Decline Reversible? 

In some people, mild cognitive impairment can be reversed or remain stable, especially if it is linked to a medication. For others with a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, the outlook can be more challenging. Both Alzheimer’s and dementia are progressive conditions, meaning symptoms will eventually worsen. However, making lifestyle changes like healthy eating and exercising may slow the rate of decline.

Maintaining healthy lifestyle choices, including proper nutrition, exercise, social and cognitive activities, and adequate sleep, may help prevent or delay the onset of cognitive challenges.

Hope After Diagnosis: How Aviv Clinics Can Treat Early Cognitive Decline

At Aviv Clinics, we understand how overwhelming a diagnosis of cognitive decline, dementia, or Alzheimer’s can feel. But we also believe that hope doesn’t end with a diagnosis — it starts with a plan.

Our board-certified team of clinical experts specializes in helping people take control of their cognitive future. The Aviv Medical Program is an evidence-based, personalized treatment approach that goes far beyond symptom management. This comprehensive program uses a unique hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) protocol and advanced diagnostics to prescribe interventions tailored specifically to your concerns. These may include physical training, nutritional guidance, and cognitive exercises to target the causes of your cognitive decline.

Clinical research has shown that the unique HBOT protocol used in the Aviv Medical Program can improve memory, attention, and processing speed in older adults. Studies show it may even reverse key biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease. For individuals looking to protect and optimize brain performance, this program offers a proactive path forward.

Whether your symptoms are mild or more advanced, our goal is the same. We want to help you preserve what matters most — your independence, your memories, and your quality of life.

Contact us to schedule a free consultation and learn how the Aviv Medical Program can help you or your loved one maintain long-term cognitive health.