Pattie Hainer and Ann Valair take part in a Council on the Aging ceremony in Norwell, Massachusetts Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021.
© Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(Chicago, IL) – New research suggests that staying socially active can make a huge difference when it comes to warding off dementia. The study, out of Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center, indicates an active social live may help avoid dementia for up to five years — in comparison to people who see gatherings, meetings, and active conversation dwindle.
This was a seven year study, which followed the lives of almost 2,000 dementia-free older adults. Researchers checked in annually to track the participants’ cognitive health. They found that regular social activity contributed to a 38% reduction in the risk of developing dementia.
While the study doesn’t suggest a specific link between regular, active social experiences and reduced dementia risk — there are other area of scientific research that could provide an answer. For example, studies have found that conversations, bingo, and board games stimulate parts of the brain that are responsible for thinking and recalling memory.
