Keeping the mind active in later life: what helps
By sima kornbluth · Published 2025-10-31 · Last reviewed 2026-09-18
Staying mentally and socially active, exercising, treating hearing loss and looking after heart health are the best-supported ways to protect thinking skills in later life. Commercial brain-training games improve the tasks they train but have not been shown to prevent dementia. For people who already have mild to moderate dementia, NICE recommends group cognitive stimulation therapy.
There is no single programme that keeps an older person's mind sharp, but the evidence points to a mix of everyday habits: staying mentally and socially active, moving more, treating hearing loss, and looking after blood pressure and general health. Brain-training apps can improve the specific tasks they train, but there is no strong evidence that they prevent dementia. For people already living with mild to moderate dementia, group cognitive stimulation therapy is recommended by NICE.
This guide explains what is known, what is marketing, and how to find activities that suit an older relative, whether they live at home or in a care home. If you are worried about someone's memory, speak to their GP rather than relying on activities alone.
Can activities really protect memory and thinking?
The NHS page on whether dementia can be prevented lists the lifestyle factors linked to a lower risk: a balanced diet, a healthy weight, regular exercise, alcohol within recommended limits, not smoking and healthy blood pressure. It also names hearing loss as a risk factor and notes that depression, anxiety and low mood can make it harder to stay socially active and mentally stimulated.
Two cautions are worth keeping in mind:
- These factors lower risk; they do not guarantee protection. Many people who do everything right still develop dementia.
- It is never too late to benefit from being more active, sociable and engaged, even if thinking skills are already changing.
Do brain-training games and puzzles work?
Alzheimer's Society's review of brain training says there is no strong evidence that brain-training activities reduce the risk of dementia. Studies show people get better at the tasks they practise, but the improvement does not carry over to thinking in general, or even to similar tasks. Most commercial products have not been tested in research, so be wary of any that claim to prevent or delay decline.
That does not mean puzzles are pointless. Crosswords, quizzes, card games and word games can be enjoyable, social and satisfying. The point is to choose them for pleasure and company, not because an app promises to prevent dementia.
Which activities are most worthwhile?
Physical activity
Exercise benefits the heart, mood, sleep and balance, all of which support brain health. The NHS guidelines for older adults advise:
- at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, such as brisk walking or dancing, built up gradually
- activities that improve strength, balance and flexibility on at least two days a week
- breaking up long periods of sitting
For frailer people, chair-based exercise, short walks and gardening all count. Strength and balance work also lowers the risk of falls.
Social contact
Loneliness and isolation are bad for wellbeing. Clubs, faith groups, lunch clubs, volunteering, choirs and regular phone or video calls with family all help. Many care homes run activities specifically to bring residents together.
Learning and hobbies
Learning something new, such as a language, an instrument, a craft or local history, combines mental challenge with purpose. Reading groups, discussion groups and U3A-style learning groups add a social element.
Hearing and eyesight
Ask the GP about a hearing test if your relative struggles to follow conversations, and make sure hearing aids are worn and working. Regular eye tests matter too. Poor hearing and sight cut people off from conversation and activity.
What helps someone who already has dementia?
NICE guideline NG97 on dementia makes specific recommendations for people with mild to moderate dementia:
- Offer group cognitive stimulation therapy (CST). CST is a programme of themed activities and discussion, usually in a small group, aimed at improving thinking and social functioning.
- Consider group reminiscence therapy, which uses memories, photos and objects to prompt conversation.
- Consider cognitive rehabilitation or occupational therapy to help with everyday tasks that matter to the person.
- Do not offer cognitive training to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. NICE defines cognitive training as guided practice on standard tasks, which is what most brain-training apps do.
Ask the memory service or GP whether CST groups run locally. Some are run by the NHS, some by charities.
What should I look for in a care home's activities?
If your relative lives in, or is moving to, a care home, ask:
- Is there a dedicated activities coordinator, and are activities offered every day, including weekends?
- How are activities planned around each resident's history and interests?
- What is offered for people who stay in their rooms or have advanced dementia?
- Are there chances to go outside and into the local community?
- Does the home run reminiscence, music or exercise sessions?
- How does the home help residents keep in touch with family and friends?
Inspection reports from the Care Quality Commission in England, the Care Inspectorate in Scotland, Care Inspectorate Wales and the RQIA in Northern Ireland often comment on how well a home keeps residents occupied and engaged.
When should we see a doctor?
Activities are not a substitute for medical advice. See the GP if you notice:
- memory problems that are getting worse or affecting daily life
- difficulty following conversations or finding words
- confusion about time or place
- changes in mood, personality or behaviour
Sudden confusion can be a sign of delirium, often caused by an infection, and needs prompt medical attention.
Frequently asked questions
Are brain-training apps worth paying for?
They can be enjoyable, but there is no strong evidence that they prevent dementia. Improvements tend to be limited to the games themselves. Free puzzles, social games and physical activity are just as worthwhile.
What is cognitive stimulation therapy?
It is a structured programme of themed group activities and discussion for people with mild to moderate dementia. NICE recommends that it is offered. Ask the memory service whether it runs locally.
Is it too late to start exercising in my 80s?
No. The NHS advises older adults to build up activity gradually, and strength and balance exercises help at any age. Check with a GP first if your relative has a health condition or has had falls.
Do hearing aids help protect memory?
Hearing loss is recognised as a risk factor for dementia. Treating it helps people stay in conversations and social activities, which are good for wellbeing. Ask the GP about a hearing test.
Can a care home offer cognitive stimulation therapy?
Some do, and many run reminiscence, music and group activities. Ask the home what it offers and how activities are matched to each resident.
Key takeaways
- Everyday habits matter most: activity, social contact, hearing care and heart health.
- Brain-training apps improve the tasks they train but are not proven to prevent dementia.
- NICE recommends group cognitive stimulation therapy for mild to moderate dementia.
- Choose activities your relative enjoys, and do them with other people where possible.
- See the GP about worsening memory rather than relying on activities alone.