It’s never too late to take a step in the right direction—especially for your brain.
If you're an older adult in the Buffalo area looking to stay sharp, science just gave you another great reason to lace up your walking shoes. A recent study suggests that regular walking can significantly reduce the risk of cognitive decline, even for people with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers followed nearly 3,000 adults between the ages of 70 and 79 over a 10-year period. The results? Those who walked consistently—or even increased their daily steps—experienced improved mental sharpness, especially in memory and decision-making abilities.
As we age, especially in colder climates like Buffalo, it’s easy to become more sedentary—especially in the winter months. But just a few short walks each day, even around your home or through local indoor spaces like malls or community centers, can support brain health and slow cognitive decline.
Dr. Cindy Barha, a leading researcher in the study, recommends breaking up periods of sitting with short walks throughout the day. Even modest activity helps, and the effects are especially strong for individuals at higher risk for Alzheimer’s due to genetics.
Walking isn’t just good for your heart and joints—it can boost your brain, too. Physical activity helps your body produce BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor)—a protein that supports the growth of new brain cells and connections. It’s like giving your brain a fresh tune-up.
Exercise also helps reduce inflammation in the brain, a common contributor to Alzheimer’s symptoms. By keeping the brain’s immune cells functioning properly, regular walking may help protect healthy brain tissue and slow the progression of memory loss.
One of the most exciting findings? People who carried the APOE4 gene—linked to a higher risk for Alzheimer’s—saw the most improvement from walking. Researchers believe this is because they had more room to benefit, and were possibly motivated to be more active due to their participation in the study.
A separate study even showed that walking as few as 3,800 steps a day—at any pace—could cut dementia risk by up to 25%. That’s less than two miles a day!
Take a lap around your neighborhood or inside a shopping mall like Walden Galleria or Boulevard Mall
Join a local senior walking group or use indoor walking tracks at community centers
Take short walks between TV shows, meals, or during phone calls
Participate in local awareness events like the Walk to End Alzheimer’s right here in Western New York
Buffalo seniors: whether you're walking the halls of your home or the trails of Delaware Park, every step counts. You don’t need to run marathons—just make movement a regular part of your day.
At Mobile HealthCare Partners, we’re proud to support the Alzheimer’s Association and encourage our patients and caregivers to stay active, informed, and empowered. Because when it comes to your brain, small steps can lead to big changes.