The Longitudinal Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Following Participation in Cognitively Stimulating Leisure Activities by Older Adults

Sep 10, 2025Sage open aging

Risk of Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Over Time Linked to Older Adults' Participation in Mentally Stimulating Hobbies

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Abstract

Participation in (CSLAs) is associated with a reduced probability of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) over an 8-year period.

Older adults who frequently engaged in CSLAs had a lower likelihood of developing ADRD.
This association was observed in both groups, those with and without (MCI).
The potential benefit of CSLAs appeared to be greater for older adults experiencing MCI.
Data was analyzed from a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults conducted from 2012 to 2020.

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OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the longitudinal relationship between participation in (CSLAs) and the risk of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) in two different groups of older adults with and without (MCI).

METHODS: We analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative survey of adults in the United States from 2012 to 2020 (MCI = 14,280; without MCI = 13,695) using a Generalized Estimated Equation. The Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-27 was used to identify samples with MCI, with scores ranging from 7 to 11.

RESULTS: Study findings show that CSLA participation was associated with a reduced probability of reporting the presence of ADRD in both groups. Older adults both with and without MCI who frequently participated in CSLAs were less likely to develop ADRD over an 8 year timeframe.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study findings suggest that CSLAs can serve as an effective intervention to reduce the risk of developing ADRD. Importantly, our findings suggest that CSLAs have a higher probability of reducing the incidence of ADRD in older adults who are experiencing MCI than those who are not.

Key numbers

0.29

Odds Ratio for ADRD Risk Reduction

Lowest OR observed at a CSLA score of 44.

0.24

Odds Ratio for ADRD Risk in 2020

Compared to the baseline year of 2012.

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The Longitudinal Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Following Participation in Cognitively Stimulating Leisure Activities by Older Adults

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