A new study has found that the seniors’ citizens who use computers and take part in social activities have reduced risk of growing age-related downturns in memory and thinking power.

Author Janina Krell-Roesch said. ‘The results show the importance of keeping the mind active as we age’ and While this study only shows association, not cause and effect, as people age, they may want to consider participating in activities like these because they may keep a mind healthier, longer’.

During study period researchers were followed to 1,929 people of 70 years old, who were part of the larger Mayo Clinic Study of Aging in Rochester, Minn.

All participants were under supervision for four years until they developed mild cognitive impairment. At the time of recruitment,they had normal memory and thinking abilities.

The study found that people who used a computer once per week or more were 42 % less likely to develop memory and thinking problems than those who did not. A total of 193 out of 1,077 people (17.9 %) in the computer use group developed mild cognitive impairment, compared to 263 out of 852 (30.9 %) people in the group that did not report computer use.

The study will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 68th Annual Meeting in Vancouver, Canada.