With ageing, the spectre of cognitive decline looms large, with dementia being a particularly concerning condition for many in the over-fifties demographic.
The good news is that recent research has shed light on a surprisingly simple activity that could not only delay the onset of dementia by up to five years but also reduce the risk of developing it by a significant 38 per cent.
The study, conducted by researchers at Rush University Medical Center, followed 1,923 older adults who were initially free of dementia. Over nearly seven years, the participants were monitored annually to assess their levels of social activity and cognitive health.
During this period, 545 individuals developed dementia, while 695 exhibited signs of mild cognitive impairment.
What the researchers discovered was a clear link between the frequency of social activity and cognitive health. Those who engaged in social activities more often were found to have a 38 per cent lower chance of developing dementia and a 21 per cent reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment compared to their less socially active counterparts.
But what exactly qualifies as social activity? According to the study, it can be as simple as dining out with friends, attending religious services, or maintaining regular contact with others.
The social activities measured in the study were based on a questionnaire that asked participants how often they engaged in six common social activities, such as going to restaurants or sporting events, playing bingo, taking day or overnight trips, doing volunteer work, or visiting relatives or friends.
The implications of these findings are profound. A five-year delay in the onset of dementia is estimated to correspond with a three-year increase in life expectancy. This is a significant amount of additional time that individuals could spend enjoying life and making memories with loved ones.
Bryan James, PhD, associate professor of internal medicine at Rush, suggests that social activity may ‘challenge’ older adults to ‘engage in complex interpersonal exchanges.’ This, in turn, could promote or maintain efficient neural networks in the brain, supporting the ‘use it or lose it’ theory of cognitive health.
The takeaway from this study is that staying socially active is not just about enjoyment and combating loneliness but also about protecting your cognitive health. Whether it’s joining a local club, volunteering, or simply making an effort to see friends and family more often, the benefits of social interaction are too significant to ignore.
Remember, it’s never too late to make a change that could have a lasting impact on your health and well-being.
We’d love to hear from you in the comments below. What activities do you enjoy that keep you connected with others? Your experiences could inspire others in the YourLifeChoices community to take steps towards a healthier, more socially engaged lifestyle.
Also read: What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia?
