‘Dementia risk rises’ for those who live on their own
LIVING ALONE could be a bigger risk for dementia than physical inactivity, diabetes and obesity, research suggests.
People over 55 who live by themselves are 30 per cent more likely to develop dementia than those who live with others, according to the UCL-led study.
The researchers now believe social isolation plays a more important role in people getting dementia than previously thought.
Lead author Dr Roopal Desai, from UCL’s Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, said: “More and more people are living alone, particularly older people, and some studies have also suggested that increasing numbers of people are experiencing loneliness in countries such as the UK.
“Our findings suggest that low social contact could have serious implications for dementia rates, especially as dementia rates are already rising due to ageing populations.”
The researchers reviewed evidence from 12 studies in seven countries in Europe and Asia, concerning 21,666 people aged over 55.
They found a “significant link” between living alone and a person’s risk of developing dementia.
Using living alone as a proxy for social isolation, and assuming the relationship is causal, they estimate dementia cases in the over65s could be reduced by 8.9 per cent if social isolation was eliminated entirely, suggesting living alone is a greater risk factor than physical inactivity, hypertension, diabetes or obesity.
Dr Desai said the study does not explain why this may be, but suggested “several plausible explanations”.
She continued: “It might be because people who live alone experience more loneliness or more stress, both of which can have adverse physical health effects, or it may be due to a lack of cognitive stimulation which is needed to maintain neural connections.”
Interventions such as social prescribing could help mitigate the detrimental effects of social isolation, the researchers say.
But they caution that loneliness may be a greater driver than living alone, as some people seek solitude by choice.