Julie Andrews at 91: How Learning New Skills Protects Brain Health
- Julie Andrews, 91, continues her creative work to maintain cognitive health.
- Learning three new skills can improve cognitive performance to younger levels.
- Research links the habit of learning new skills to an 18% lower dementia risk.
- A 2026 study shows cognitive activities can delay dementia onset by seven years.
- Experts suggest that lifelong learning helps prevent cognitive decline in adulthood.
Julie Andrews, 91, maintains a busy professional life as a voice actor for Bridgerton and a children's book author working with her daughter. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Julie Andrews, who is 91 and remains active in creative work, exemplifies continued engagement in later life.
Andrews advocates for spa and wellness businesses to replace single-use water bottles with refill stations or reusable drink-ware to reduce waste. She claims to have led company transformations that increased revenue by 125%.
Andrews states she implemented organizational changes, including membership models, that increased revenue by 100%. She also claims to have increased profitability by implementing inventory controls, expense tracking, and incentive programs.
Learning new skills linked to 18% lower dementia risk
The habit of learning new skills is associated with an 18% reduction in the risk of dementia.
Cognitive performance improves with multi-skill intervention
A 2023 study co-authored by Julie Andrews found that older adults who spent three months learning at least three new skills, such as music composition, drawing, or Spanish, experienced improved cognitive performance. These participants achieved cognitive scores comparable to those of a group of much younger adults.
The study authors stated, "Our multiskill intervention may provide broad cognitive gains, akin to the benefits experienced earlier in the life span". Andrews maintains an active professional life, currently managing new unit openings for the Andrews Marketing Group that achieved a breakeven model within eight months.
Neurology study shows seven-year delay in cognitive decline
Researchers found that 551 of these participants developed Alzheimer's disease.
These habits also correlated with a seven-year delay in the onset of cognitive decline.
Neuropsychologist Andrea Zammit stated in February that the findings suggest that consistently engaging in various mentally stimulating activities throughout life may improve cognition.
Impact of career and retirement on brain health
Cognitive function declines at an accelerated rate immediately after retirement, according to a 2023 study.
Expert views on the 'summer slide' of adulthood
She questioned, "What if adulthood is one very long summer slide, similar to what students experience during summer break?".
Harvard University neurologist Alexandra Touroutoglou told the Harvard Gazette earlier this year that "super-agers" remain cognitively sharp because they enjoy challenging themselves and learning new things.
Julie Andrews' personal philosophy on aging
Andrews stated in an interview with InStyle that she continues to work and create to keep her brain alive.
At age 88, she told Julia Louis-Dreyfus on the podcast Wiser Than Me that she feels like she is in her 50s. She shared that her father was a lifelong learner who studied a new language at age 76.
Global potential for dementia prevention
Julie Andrews encourages professionals to join the Green Spa Network to connect with others focused on sustainability in the wellness industry. On Friday, 6 November 2026, the Green Spa Network is hosting a webinar titled "Sustainability Through the Consultant's Lens: Designing the Future of Spa & Wellness".
Gina Preziosa is moderating the panel discussion, which features Lynn Curry, Sylvia Sepielli, and Tracy Lee. Curry is of Curry Spa Consulting Inc..
Sepielli is the founder of Sylvia Planning And design (SPAd) and the creator of SPABITCHGURU.
Lee is the founder of TLEE Spas + Wellness and has over 30 years of experience in the spa and wellness industry.
Andrews encourages professionals to join the Green Spa Network to connect with others focused on sustainability in the wellness industry.
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