Why Your Brain Loves Bingo More Than You Do: The Secret to Staying Sharp in Old Age

Friday, January31, 2025. For all the denizens of the basement bingo parlors I was dragged yo as a youth.

It’s a Tuesday night, and you’re holding a bingo card, dabbing away like your cognitive health depends on it, because It might.

A new study from Rush University Medical Center suggests that being a social butterfly—even if your wings only take you to bingo night, Sunday brunch, or the local diner—could delay dementia by a whopping five years.

That’s five extra years of remembering your grandkids’ names, finding your car in the parking lot, and generally keeping your marbles where they belong.

The Social Brain Advantage: Science Says So

Researchers followed 1,923 older adults over nearly seven years, tracking their social activity and cognitive health.

What they found is as heartwarming as it is brain-boosting: The most socially active participants staved off dementia until around age 92, while their less-social counterparts saw signs of cognitive decline as early as 87. In other words, the “regulars” at the community center were outlasting their more hermit-like peers by half a decade in the memory department.

The researchers assessed participation in six common social activities: dining out, playing bingo (obviously), taking day trips, volunteering, visiting family and friends, and attending religious services.

The takeaway?

Even mild extroversion pays off—big time. For every incremental increase in social activity, the risk of developing dementia dropped by a remarkable 38%.

Dementia’s Worst Enemy? A Packed Social Calendar

The study’s lead researcher, Bryan James, PhD, summed it up nicely: “The least socially active older adults developed dementia an average of five years before the most socially active.” Translation? If you’re not showing up for game night, you might be showing up for cognitive decline sooner than you’d like.

The High Cost of Isolation: Literally and Figuratively

Aside from the obvious downside—losing one’s cognitive edge—early dementia is also absurdly expensive. Healthcare costs for dementia patients are staggering, with estimates suggesting that delaying its onset by five years could save these folks around $500,000.

That’s a lot of cruise vacations, pickleball gear, or extravagant birthday gifts for your grandkids (who will absolutely still hit you up for cash regardless of your memory status).

Why Does Socializing Keep Your Brain Happy?

Scientists believe social engagement keeps neural networks firing on all cylinders. Whether it’s recalling Aunt Linda’s meatloaf recipe or arguing about the rules of bridge, these social interactions exercise the brain in ways Sudoku never will.

James explains: “Social activity challenges older adults to participate in complex interpersonal exchanges, which could promote or maintain efficient neural networks in a case of ‘use it or lose it.’”

And the best part?

This cognitive boost isn’t just for the extroverts. Even introverts benefit from regular social interaction, proving that small talk, however painful, might be a necessary evil in the battle against dementia.

COVID, Isolation, and the Need for Community

The study’s findings have become even more crucial in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many seniors socially marooned. As communities rebuild, there’s an urgent need for more structured social opportunities, whether through local senior centers, volunteer groups, or—yes—bingo nights.

The Fine Print: Limitations and Future Research

Of course, no study is perfect.

Most of the participants were white seniors living in the Chicago area, meaning the results might not generalize to all cultural groups.

Additionally, while researchers adjusted for other health factors, there’s always the possibility that people who are naturally more social also have other cognitive advantages. Future research will need to determine whether structured interventions can actively delay cognitive decline.

Final Thoughts: Get Out and Play!

The takeaway is simple: Staying engaged in social activities isn’t just good for your mood—it’s a long-term investment in your cognitive health.

So, if you needed an excuse to call up a friend, plan a lunch date, or join a club, consider this your official prescription for longevity.

And if anyone questions why you’re heading out to bingo night for the third time this week, just tell them: “Science made me do it.”

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

REFERENCES:

James, B. D., Boyle, P. A., Yu, L., Han, S. D., Shah, R. C., & Bennett, D. A. (2025). Late-life social activity and subsequent risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 21(1), e14316. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.14316

!