Aging and change go hand in hand. Gray hairs and stiffness in the knees that often sneak up on a person in middle age aren’t concerns to lose sleep over. However, many people 50 or older worry about cognitive issues like dementia as they grow older.

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 6.7 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can rob people of their memories, personalities, and abilities to live satisfying, independent lives. While it may be impossible to prevent all cognitive issues, reading could be an ally in cognitive care. The American Academy of Neurology says reading stimulates the brain and helps slow down cognitive decline in old age. Reading also may help slow down memory loss.

The powers of reading were noticed more than 10 years ago when a 2013 study at Emory University measured readers’ MRI scans as they read books. They found the more deeply readers went into a story, the more areas of their brains were activated, and remained elevated for several days after finishing their books. The more a person reads, the stronger complex networks in the brain become.

Additional evidence of reading helping the brain was noted by researchers at the Texas A&M School of Public Health. A 2024 study found older people with mild cognitive impairment who engage in reading, hobbies, and word games have better memory, working memory, attention, and processing speed than those who do not engage in such activities. A 2021 study published in Neurology found cognitive activity like reading and writing letters can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by five years among those age 80 and over.

Reading helps brains function optimally and may help delay age-related cognitive decline.