There is growing interest in cognitive stimulation and staying mentally active as we get older. In part, this is fuelled by fears about dementia, a condition characterised by progressive cognitive decline. Age is the biggest risk factor for developing dementia and understandably, the idea of improving or maintaining cognitive function has attracted global attention. Modifiable risk factors are aspects of lifestyle that can reduce the risk of various conditions. Interest in lifestyle interventions to reduce dementia was first suggested in the 1990s and has gained momentum across the world. Among these, social contact, connectedness, and social networks have been investigated as potentially modifiable dementia risk factors.