Risk of Dementia Increases When You are Lonely - Study

There appears to be a notable link between loneliness and the risk of dementia, according to an NYU research study. Social isolation has increased, especially for older people due to COVID-19, an expected three-fold increase for developing dementia should concern American families. 

In the study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, researchers found a three-fold increase in the risk of subsequent dementia among lonely Americans younger than 80 years old who would otherwise be expected to have a relatively low risk based on age and genetic risk factors. 

The study also found that loneliness was associated with poorer executive function (i.e., a group of cognitive processes including decision-making, planning, cognitive flexibility, and control of attention) and changes in the brain that indicate vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

6.2 Million Adults Have Dementia - More in the Future

Dementia affects more than 6.2 million adults in the United States, according to a 2021 special report by the Alzheimer's Association. Since the beginning of the virus crisis, feelings of loneliness have affected an estimated 46 million Americans, and more frequent feelings of loneliness were found in adults aged 60 and older.

Dementia is one of the significant reasons people require long-term health care services and supervision. The cost of long-term health care services significantly impacts the care recipient's finances since health insurance, including Medicare (including supplements), will not pay for most long-term cares services).

Medicaid will only pay for long-term care, including dementia care, if the care recipient has little or no income or assets. Long-Term Care Insurance will pay for this type of care but can only be obtained when a person has relatively good health, so attempting to purchase a policy following a diagnosis of dementia would be too late.

Family Caregivers Face Burdens

Adult children often find themselves in the position of becoming caregivers when their parents failed to plan in advance of declining health. Family caregivers face stress and anxiety in addition to the physical demands of being a caregiver. 

People with dementia will often need both supervision and help with daily living activities, and the need for care can last for years depending on other health issues that they may suffer from.  

Supportive Relationships Critical for Overall Health

Families should be careful to notice an older loved one's loneliness as it can significantly affect their health.

"This study emphasizes the importance of loneliness and issues of social connection in addressing our risk of developing dementia as we age," says lead investigator Joel Salinas, MD, MBA, MSc, the Lulu P. and David J. Levidow Assistant Professor of Neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and member of the Department of Neurology's Center for Cognitive Neurology. 

"Acknowledging signs of loneliness in yourself and others, building and maintaining supportive relationships, providing much-needed support for the people in our lives who are feeling lonely—these are important for everyone. But they're especially important as we age to increase the chances that we'll delay or perhaps even prevent cognitive decline," they said.

While it can be challenging to see older family members regularly, being in touch with them can improve their mood and health.

Joel Salinas, MD, MBA, MSc

"This study is a reminder that, if we want to prioritize brain health, we can't ignore the role of psychosocial factors like loneliness and the social environments we live in day-to-day," says Dr. Salinas. 

Salinas says the best way to care for ourselves and the people we love is to stay in touch with them and check in to see how they are doing—to acknowledge and be acknowledged."

"We can share with each other when we're feeling lonely, appreciate with each other how loneliness is common, and accept that giving and asking for support can be hard. Fortunately, loneliness can be cured. And although we might need to be vulnerable and creative in figuring out new ways to connect, chances are that even the smallest gesture will have been worth it," added Dr. Salinas.

Ways to Address Loneliness

There are several ways older people can deal with loneliness. Pets, for example, are great companions, according to experts. Help them select the right pet depending on their age and health.

Many older people use today's technology to stay connected, including social media like Facebook. Frequent phone calls may be one of the easiest ways to keep an older family member engaged and connected. If they can use a smartphone, video calls can even be more helpful.

Encourage older family members to stay physically and mentally active. Exercise like walking, swimming, gardening, and yoga can be very beneficial. Mental exercise should also be encouraged. Reading keeps the mind active, and book clubs will encourage interaction. 

Signs and Symptoms of Dementia 

There are several signs and symptoms of dementia that you should watch for with older family members. These psychological changes are common:

• Agitation  
• Anxiety  
• Apathy 
• Changes in personality and behavior  
• Depression  
• Hallucinations  
• Mood swings  

General symptoms, in addition to memory loss noticeable by friends and family, include:     

• Confusion and disorientation  
• Inability to complete complex tasks  
• Inability to find the right word  
• Problems with coordination and motor functions  
• Reduced visual perception  
• Metallic taste in the mouth 
• Decreased sense of smell  
• Reduced ability to organize, plan, reason, or solve problems    

Preparing for Long-Term Care Key Part of Retirement Planning

Being prepared for aging the consequences long-term care can have on your family and finances will ease the stress on your family when you get older. 

Long-term health care services are expensive and are getting more expensive due to increasing demand for care and higher labor costs. These costs vary depending on where you live and the type of care services you require.

The LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator shows the national average cost of a nursing home is now over $100,000 a year, with home care, adult day care, and assisted living costing a bit less. Find the current and future cost of long-term health care where you live - Cost of Care Calculator - Choose Your State | LTC News.

Many people include Long-Term Care Insurance as part of their retirement planning. Having insurance will not prevent you from becoming lonely and needing long-term care, but it will ensure you have quality care while protecting income and assets and easing family stress and anxiety.

Most people obtain coverage in their 50s when premiums are lower, allowing them to consider the most options.