Dementia and brain disorders are getting a lot of attention these days. And for good reason. About one in 10 Americans over 65 have dementia. And it’s estimated that the number of people 65 and older living with some form of dementia—the loss of cognitive functioning and the ability to think, remember or reason—could double to 88 million by 2050.
It’s important to understand that the changes in the brain that lead to dementia begin decades before symptoms show up. And there are many things you can do to help prevent dementia.
For example, the MIND diet, a fusion of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, is loaded with foods to help keep your brain young and sharp. And there is evidence that regular physical activity helps reduce your risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, a type of dementia. Not getting enough quality sleep can also increase your risk of dementia.
All of these habits also influence factors that can raise dementia risk, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
But there’s another factor that increases the risk of dementia that might surprise you—loneliness. A new meta-analysis led by researchers at Florida State University College of Medicine and published on October 9 in Nature Mental Health takes a closer look at this connection. Here’s what they found.
How Was This Study Conducted & What Did It Find?
This study was a meta-analysis, which reviews studies previously done on the topic of loneliness and dementia. The researchers looked for certain criteria, so not all studies on loneliness and dementia were included. In this case, they examined ongoing, long-term studies on aging that assess loneliness and cognition over time, as well as previously published studies.
The studies that made the cut for this meta-analysis focused on the association between loneliness and all-cause dementia, as well as the risk for two specific types of dementia— Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. They also examined the association between loneliness and cognitive impairment that’s not dementia or non-specific impairments in one or more cognitive functions—thinking, memory and reasoning—that may precede dementia.
According to the researchers, this resulted in the largest meta-analysis on the association between loneliness and dementia that’s been done to date. In the end, 21 studies were included, adding up to over 600,000 participants.
The results were clear: Loneliness increases the risk of developing dementia by 31%.
How Does This Apply to Real Life?
“These results are not surprising given the mounting evidence that links loneliness to poor health,” says lead study author Martina Luchetti, PhD, in a media release.
Luchetti explains that dementia is a spectrum, meaning that there is a range of levels and types of dementia. And the neuropathological changes in the brain start decades before symptoms show up.
“It’s important to continue studying the link of loneliness with different cognitive outcomes or symptoms across this spectrum,” says Luchetti. “Loneliness—the dissatisfaction with social relationships—may impact how you are functioning cognitively and in daily life.”
It’s also important to understand what loneliness is. It’s not the same as being alone. Some people enjoy their alone time and don’t feel lonely. On the other hand, you can be in a house or room filled with people and feel lonely. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines loneliness as feeling like you don’t have meaningful or close relationships or a sense of belonging. And having a sense of belonging is a basic human need.
According to the National Institute on Aging, there are certain risk factors for loneliness. This includes things like vision, hearing and mobility problems; lack of transportation; living alone; death of a loved one or retirement; caring for a loved one who is unwell; and language barriers.
If you are feeling lonely, there are things you can do to help yourself.
- Reach out to family and friends. People get busy with life but this doesn’t mean they don’t care about you. Sometimes you need to be the first to reach out. And maybe there is something you can do to help them.
- Join a group. Whether it’s an exercise class or learning a new skill, like taking a pottery class, there are always groups to join. If you have no transportation, call your church, local senior center or hospital and ask about community transportation options. Or join an online group that aligns with your values and goals. Many communities have senior centers that offer meals and activities for older adults. Check yours out if you’re in that age group.
- Volunteer. Whether you reach out to your place of worship, local senior center, hospital or an organization like Meals on Wheels, there’s always a helpful organization looking for volunteers. And since feeling a lack of purpose is another risk factor for loneliness, making time to help others can also be a great way to help yourself. If you’re not mobile, ask if there’s something you can do from home to help. They might have letters you can fold and stuff into envelopes for an upcoming event or need hats and mittens knitted for families in need.
- Engage in healthy habits. Taking good care of yourself will help you feel better and stronger and improve your health—physically and mentally. Eat plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts and lean proteins, including fatty fish like salmon. Get regular exercise according to your abilities, as well as enough quality sleep. And manage your stressors. Loneliness in and of itself can be stressful, so it’s important to do something about it.
If you’re not lonely but know of someone who is, reach out to them regularly. While we all get busy and think we can’t possibly fit in one more thing, try to schedule a regular phone call, video chat or in-person visit with that person. It might be the motivation they need to do more for themselves.
The Bottom Line
This meta-analysis found that loneliness is associated with a 31% increase in dementia. One of the best things you can do to prevent loneliness is to nurture strong, healthy relationships. If you feel you don’t have that in your life already, find ways to make connections. And if you know someone who appears to be lonely, reach out to them—you just might play a role in helping to keep their brain healthy and feel loved.
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