A new study found socially isolated adults were 28% more likely to develop dementia over nine years. Race and ethnicity had no bearing on this association.
The researchers sampled 5,022 participants (average age, 76.4; 52% women) from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a nationally representative, longitudinal group of US Medicare beneficiaries.
Why it matters
- Social isolation is a modifiable risk factor for reducing dementia risk across diverse racial and ethnic groups.
- Treating hearing loss helps people re-engage socially, reducing the risk of cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and other dementias.
Social isolation
Multiple factors give rise to social isolation. For example, it often results when older adults lack social connections, social support, resource sharing, and strained relationships.
Hearing loss is a contributing factor.
- People with hearing loss are especially vulnerable to self-imposed social isolation.
- Their inability to communicate comfortably with family and friends produces frustration and embarrassment, pushing some to stop socializing.
A closer look
The new study was the first to find a longitudinal association (study spanned nine years) between social isolation and its influence on developing dementia. The participants were also representative of US seniors.
- The researchers defined socially isolated as often living alone, having no one or only one person to rely upon for discussing important matters, and having limited participation in social or religious groups.
- Study participants were classified as having dementia based on either (1) self-reporting, (2) a below-average score in two or three cognitive domains, or (3) likely having dementia based on the AD8 Dementia Screening Interview.
Top results
- 23.3% of the study participants were socially isolated, with 21.1% developing dementia by the end of the follow-up period.
- Race and ethnicity had no bearing on the relationship between social isolation and dementia.
- Socially isolated participants were more likely to develop dementia (25.9%) during the follow-up period than non-isolated participants (19.6%)
The study "contributes to the growing body of evidence that finds social isolation is a serious public health risk for many seniors living in the US, increasing their risk for dementia and other serious mental conditions." —Nicole Purcell, DO, neurologist and senior director of clinical practice at the Alzheimer's Association commenting in Medscape Medical News
Do you have hearing loss?
Schedule a free, 15-minute hearing screening performed by an audiologist. It's easy to find out if you have hearing loss. Don't guess. Find out.
If you have hearing loss, your audiologist will explain —
- How much hearing you've lost
- Whether your hearing needs treatment now or later
- How hearing aids mitigate the risks of social isolation, increased risk of falling, faster cognitive decline, and dementia.
