A study finds that people in their 50s and 60s living alone are 30% more likely to develop dementia. Researchers from the University College London collected data from 21, 666 people over the age of 55, and found that those living unaccompanied were more likely to get Alzheimer's or any other form of dementia.
The authors said there was a growing number of elderly people living alone. Furthermore, there are more than 850,000 sufferers of dementia in the United Kingdom, which is also the country's biggest cause of death.
According to the researchers, loneliness, stress, and lack of cognitive stimulation could all be factors in the rise of cases.
Dr. Roopal Desai, the lead author of the study, says that increasing dementia cases could be due to the lack of cognitive stimulation, loneliness, or stress experienced by elderly people living alone. Furthermore, she says that cognitive stimulation is essential in maintaining neural connections.
The authors combined the results of 12 existing studies across seven countries in Europe and Asia. They deduced that if social isolation were removed entirely, it would cause an 8.9% decline in the number of dementia cases.
Looking for ways to keep cognitively, socially, and physically active is critical for a person's wellbeing, as it can also reduce the risk of developing dementia, says senior author, Dr. Georgina Charlesworth.
Dynamic Social Life is a Must
Earlier studies have discovered that having an active social life and frequently meeting with friends or family members diminishes the risk of dementia.
A study in 2011 revealed that being social can slow the advancement of deteriorating health. Participants enrolled in the study with active social lives developed health limitations slower compared to those who led more isolated lifestyles.
Fiona Carragher from the Alzheimer's Society, which funded the study, said that research such as this one is vital to further understanding how the community may be able to reduce the risk of developing dementia.
She adds that there are here are approaches we can take now to reduce our risk. This includes keeping physically, mentally, and socially active. At the same time, it involved maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, and avoiding harmful vices such as smoking.
Coronavirus Pandemic Hits Elderly Individuals Hard
The current pandemic has particularly been hard for the elderly. Not only are they more vulnerable to catching and developing complications from the disease, but physical isolation also puts a toll on their mental health.
Approaches such as social prescribing, where people are referred to community groups, have lately been interrupted by the virus lockdown.
According to Caroline Abrahams of Age UK, the last few months of lockdown and isolation have been hard for older people, particularly those who live on their own.
Certain approaches need to be done to enable them to live safely in the community. Moreover, she says that this is especially true among people aging with dementia.
In an article by NBC News, experts have shared ways wherein young people can help the elderly during this trying time. A good practice is to limit one's own risk of infection and spreading.
Don't visit your grandparents and other elderly loved ones after you yourself have gone to pubs, restaurants, the hospital, and other public places where the risk of infection is great. Protect your loved ones by being cautious yourself.
Another helpful action is taking time to educate seniors about technology. Teach your grandparents how to initiate a video call or simply how to answer a call. During times of isolation and quarantine, communicating with others through the use of electronic devices might be the only way.
Make sure your loved ones don't get left behind by making sure they know how to operate their devices.
