Health Corner

People often say that playing mahjong can help prevent dementia — but is that really true? Let’s find out below!

Does dementia mean total memory loss once it starts?

In fact, dementia progresses through different stages and can last up to 10 years from early to late stage. In the beginning, it mainly involves mild memory decline, but in later stages, it gradually affects daily functioning, and patients may eventually need full-time care.

Early-stage symptoms:

• Memory decline and hesitation in making decisions.

• Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities.

• Increased irritability or moodiness.

• Difficulty expressing oneself smoothly.

• Getting off at the wrong bus stop or getting lost in unfamiliar areas.

Middle-stage symptoms:

• Confusion or forgetting family members’ names; some may lose sense of time.

• Reading and communication abilities further decline.

• Getting lost even in familiar neighborhood areas.

• Possible incontinence or forgetting that they’ve already eaten.

• Some may experience delusions—most commonly believing someone has stolen their money.

Late-stage symptoms:

• Complete dependence on others for mobility and eating; near-total loss of self-care ability.

• Severe memory loss, possibly forgetting their own name.

How can you prevent yourself or elderly family members from developing dementia?

And is playing mahjong truly effective?

Mahjong is a mentally demanding game that requires memory, calculation, risk assessment, and observation of opponents’ reactions. These high-level cognitive tasks help stimulate brain activity, enhance memory, focus, and reasoning.

Studies show that people who regularly play mahjong have a lower risk of dementia on average—but the results are even better when paired with regular physical exercise.

Besides mahjong, other key preventive methods include:

• Regular exercise:
  Aerobic activities and strength training such as brisk walking, jogging, or practicing tai chi can reduce the risk of falls and maintain brain health.
  Research suggests that people with “moderate or above” levels of physical activity have 20–30% lower risk of developing dementia compared to sedentary individuals.

• Brain training:
  Engaging in activities like reading, writing, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, mahjong, Chinese chess, and Go can help keep the mind active.
  Combining these with social activities, such as volunteering or attending interest classes to learn new things, can further strengthen cognitive health.

If you suspect you or an elderly family member may have dementia, seek medical evaluation as soon as possible. Family members should also keep a record of the symptoms to help doctors make an accurate diagnosis and plan daily care.

What tests can be done if dementia is suspected?

Since many elderly people are reluctant to undergo medical tests, here’s a simple and non-invasive option:

https://mall.humanhealth.com.hk/products/ariaewmh

No blood sample is required — the test only takes about 15 minutes, costs HK$750, and can assess the risk of cognitive disorders with an accuracy of up to 94%.

For a more comprehensive package that includes stroke and eye health screening, you can choose the HK$1,350 option here:
https://mall.humanhealth.com.hk/products/ariafullop

References: 

1. Taiwan Alzheimer's Disease Association: Understanding Dementia

2. World Health Organization: Dementia

3. Hong Kong Housing Society: CUHK Professor’s Brain-Boosting Tips to Help Prevent Cognitive Impairment

4. Dartigues JF, Foubert-Samier A, Le Goff M, et al. Playing board games, cognitive decline and dementia: a French population-based cohort study

5. Cecilia Bahou, Medical News Today : How long does dementia last? Duration and life expectancy