Using computers, playing crosswords and games like chess can prevent older people from developing dementia more than knitting, painting or socialising, according to a study. Published in JAMA Network Open, the findings may help older individuals and aged care professionals plan more targeted approaches to reducing dementia risk.

Researchers drew data from 10,318 Australians aged 70 and older. They found that participants who routinely engaged in adult literacy and mental acuity tasks such as education classes, keeping journals, and doing crosswords were 9-11 per cent less likely to develop dementia than their peers. Creative hobbies like crafting, knitting and painting, and more passive activities like reading reduced the risk by 7 per cent.