According to research conducted at Rush, engaging in social activities may help prevent or delay dementia in older adults. The study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, found that higher levels of social activity, such as visiting friends, attending parties, and going to church, were associated with a reduced risk of dementia.
Specifically, those who were socially active had a 38% reduction in dementia risk and a 21% reduction in mild cognitive impairment risk compared to those who were least socially active. Following 1,923 dementia-free older adults, with an average age of 80 years old, researchers discovered that the least socially active participants developed dementia approximately five years earlier than their more socially engaged peers.
From these findings, the researchers theorize that social activity may strengthen neural circuits in the brain. Additionally, it activates areas involved in thinking and memory, making socially active individuals more resistant to age-related pathology. Overall, these findings suggest significant potential benefits. A five-year delay in dementia onset could extend life expectancy by three years and reduce lifetime healthcare costs by approximately $500,000 per person.