Helping others for just a few hours a week could slow memory loss and help ward off dementia, a major new study suggests. Carrying out simple acts of kindness – from formal volunteering to helping friends or neighbours – may slow cognitive decline by up to 20 per cent, researchers have found. Participants completed three assessments measuring immediate memory, working memory and mental processing speed, with higher combined scores reflecting better brain health. Those who helped others in either way experienced 15 to 20 per cent slower cognitive decline than those who did not. Helping others can help slow cognitive decline, helping people stave of dementia, study findsHe added: 'What stood out to me was that the cognitive benefits of helping others weren't just short–term boosts.

Source: Daily Mail December 29, 2025 11:28 UTC