Living in easy-to-walk communities may slow mental decline in older adults, according to a small study.

The research included 39 older adults with no thinking or memory problems and 25 older adults with mild Alzheimer's disease.

Over two years, the participants were given a series of tests to assess mental skills such as attention and memory.

By the end of the study, those who lived in easy-to-walk communities had better outcomes both in physical health, such as lower body fat and blood pressure, and in mental skills.

Although far from definitive, these findings could prove useful for older adults, caregivers, healthcare providers, architects, and urban planners, according to study author Amber Watts, an assistant professor of clinical psychology at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.