At Autumn View Gardens in Ellisville, MO, we encourage our memory care residents to engage in activities that are good for the brain. So we dug into whether crossword puzzles can actually support cognitive health and the science behind those claims.

Are Crossword Puzzles Good for Your Brain?

While the research isn't 100% conclusive and more work needs to be done, researchers for the past few decades have noted that a habit of doing crosswords does seem to be good for the mind.

The Science Behind the Cognitive Benefits of Crossword Puzzles

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine compared the cognitive benefits of 12 weeks of web-based crossword puzzle play with computerized training on cognitive games. After 78 weeks, cognitive scores for those who did the crosswords were slightly improved, while scores for those who played the "brain games" were slightly worse.

In this and other studies, crossword practices have correlated with benefits such as:

• Improved focus
• Better memory
• Enhanced processing speed
• Better executive function

On top of these cognitive benefits, crossword puzzles have been shown to help improve performance with instrumental activities of daily living, such as remembering to take medicine or managing personal finances.

Why do crosswords support these benefits? First, they're not super-easy. Even crossword aficionados spend a bit of time sorting out the puzzles. When you make your brain work hard at something but don't go so far as to seriously overtax it, it can be good for cognitive health overall.

Crossword puzzles also engage multiple areas of your brain. There's a lot of critical thinking happening as you try to figure out what word fits the definition and the boxes. You may have to make different types of connections to solve tricky crosswords, which often rely on wordplay and misdirection to create a challenge. This leads to larger areas of your brain being used and stimulated.

Crosswords Aren't a Treatment or Quick Fix

Of course, crosswords aren't medicinal and can't turn back time on cognitive decline. You can't stop dementia in its tracks by picking up a crossword book. However, regular crossword practice over weeks, months or years may have cognitive benefits — a perk for those who love the puzzles for entertainment.

Tips for Integrating Crosswords Into Your Day

If you’re new to crossword puzzles, starting the habit might feel intimidating. Here are a few ways older adults can make crosswords a simple, enjoyable part of their day:

• Start small. Begin with beginner-friendly puzzles or mini crosswords to build confidence before tackling bigger challenges. Consider the New York Times Mini Crossword. You need a subscription to play more than a couple of the free options, but you also get access to a puzzle archive of large and small crosswords, Wordle, Connections and other games.
• Set aside dedicated time. Try working on a puzzle with your morning coffee or before bedtime as part of your daily routine. Solving a small puzzle before bed can help you relax, disconnect from the busyness of the day and approach sleep with a better mindset.
• Use a pencil. Mistakes are part of the process, so keep it low-pressure and have fun with the challenge. If you play crosswords online, use settings like autocorrect, which tell you when you input an incorrect letter, to make gameplay less frustrating.
• Try different formats. Books, apps and online crosswords let you choose what feels most comfortable. If you like to work crosswords in print but don't enjoy squinting at small letters, look for large-print crossword books.
• Do crosswords with friends. Sit together and work on puzzles side by side, or get the same crossword app and compare scores each day. Sharing your crossword habit can create accountability and make this cognitive task even more fun.

Tips for Doing Crosswords With a Loved One

For caregivers supporting someone with an early dementia diagnosis, crossword puzzles can be a meaningful way to connect and engage. Here are a few tips for making it a positive experience:

• Pick puzzles suited to your loved one's comfort level. Choose simpler crosswords or those with larger print for less frustration.
• Work together, not separately. Read clues aloud and talk through answers to make it a shared, social activity.
• Keep sessions short. Aim for 10-15 minutes to avoid fatigue while keeping the activity enjoyable. You don't have to finish a crossword every day or even every week.
• Focus on fun, not perfection. Skip frustrating clues if needed, and celebrate the answers you find together. Use apps that let you turn on an autocorrect feature or check the back of the puzzle book for answers if you're feeling stuck.

Use it as connection time. Beyond the cognitive benefits, crosswords can spark conversation and strengthen your bond.