Staying socially active, like visiting friends, attending parties, or going to church, may help keep the brain healthy as people age.
Research from Rush University suggests that frequent social interaction could delay or even prevent dementia in older adults.
These findings were published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia and build on earlier studies linking social activity to slower cognitive decline.
Dr. Bryan James, the lead researcher, explained that the study revealed a significant connection between social activity and brain health. Older adults who were more socially active developed dementia about five years later, on average, than those who were less social. This suggests that staying socially engaged may help protect the brain from aging-related damage.
Social interaction is thought to strengthen brain circuits, making them more resilient to the damage that comes with age. Activities involving conversation and interaction, like visiting friends or volunteering, activate parts of the brain used for thinking and memory. This keeps the brain “exercised,” potentially slowing cognitive decline.
The study tracked 1,923 older adults with an average age of 80, all of whom were free from dementia at the start. These participants were part of the Rush Memory and Aging Project, an ongoing research effort examining aging-related health issues.
Over an average of five years, researchers monitored the participants’ cognitive health through yearly evaluations that included medical history and tests of memory, thinking speed, and spatial awareness.
During the study, 545 participants developed dementia, and 695 developed mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is an early stage of memory and thinking problems. Researchers found that those who engaged in more social activities had a 38% lower risk of developing dementia and a 21% lower risk of developing MCI compared to the least socially active individuals.
Social activity was measured through a questionnaire that asked about common activities involving interaction, such as going to restaurants, attending events, playing bingo, traveling, volunteering, or visiting friends and family.
The results showed that even small increases in social activity could have a meaningful impact on brain health.
The study also highlighted the potential economic benefits of delaying dementia. A five-year delay in its onset could lead to three extra years of life and reduce healthcare costs significantly—by as much as $500,000 per person over a lifetime. This could lower national dementia care costs by 40% over the next 30 years.
While the exact reason why social activity helps the brain isn’t fully understood, one theory is that it challenges older adults to engage in complex interactions. This keeps neural networks active and efficient, reinforcing the idea of “use it or lose it.” In simpler terms, the more the brain is used, the stronger it may stay.
Dr. James emphasized the need for further research to determine whether increasing social activities in later life could actively prevent or delay cognitive decline. However, the current findings already highlight the importance of staying socially engaged as part of a healthy aging routine.
This study reinforces that maintaining regular social interactions is not just good for emotional well-being but could also play a key role in keeping the brain healthy.
For older adults, activities like spending time with loved ones, joining community events, or volunteering may offer significant cognitive benefits alongside the joys of connection.
If you care about Alzheimer’s, please read studies about the likely cause of Alzheimer’s disease , and new non-drug treatment that could help prevent Alzheimer’s.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about diet that may help prevent Alzheimer’s, and results showing some dementia cases could be prevented by changing these 12 things.
The research findings can be found in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
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