As parent or other loved one ages, there will certainly be worries about their health and wellness. For many, conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other memory issues are a top concern because of how common they are in older adults.

What is dementia?

Dementia is a broad term that can include many changes to memory or the way the brain works. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a new case of dementia is diagnosed every three seconds. While all the causes of dementia are unknown, studies continue in an effort to find risk factors and ways to prevent it. These studies help show areas where your parent could reduce his or her chances of getting the disease.

Loneliness and dementia

There are some risk factors that cannot be controlled such as age, another related condition, or genetics. There are areas where you can help your aging parent make changes for the better. For example, a study recently showed loneliness may be linked to risk of dementia.

In the study, researchers surveyed 12,000 people about their loneliness, social isolation, behavior and genetics. They defined loneliness as “a feeling that you do not fit in or do not belong with the people around you.” After collecting this initial data, they followed each person over ten years for signs of dementia.

In 2018, The Journals of Gerontology published results from the study. Over the ten-year period, those who reported their status as socially isolated were much more likely to have developed dementia. Overall, the study concluded that loneliness increased the risk of dementia by as much as 40 percent.

This recent study isn’t the only one to find a link between dementia and feeling lonely. In 2015, another study published in Aging Research Reviews found a link between Dementia and factors like low social participation or less frequent social contact.

Is your aging loved one lonely?

If you’ve noticed signs that your mother, father or other loved one is more socially isolated, don’t be afraid to offer support. By talking about feelings of loneliness, you can help avoid its health effects. When it comes to fighting loneliness, consider how your aging parent’s location affects social interaction. How far are they from others at a similar life stage? Are there activities nearby for seniors? If your aging parent cannot drive, does this cause a problem?

When senior adults live in a location that provides ample social events, it helps to reduce isolation. Help get them out and active to keep the chances of isolation lower which may help lower dementia risks.