Social Seniors Show Dramatic Cognitive Advantages in New Study
Older adults who maintain active social lives develop dementia approximately 5 years later than their less social peers, according to a new study of 1,923 seniors. The research found that simple activities like dining out, playing bingo, taking day trips, or attending religious services were associated with a 38% lower risk of developing dementia.
The study, conducted by Rush University Medical Center, tracked the social activities and cognitive health of older adults over nearly seven years. The researchers found that each increase in social activity was linked to a 38% lower chance of developing dementia. The most socially active people typically developed dementia around age 92, while the least social showed signs around age 87.
The findings suggest that social activity challenges older adults to participate in complex interpersonal exchanges, which could promote or maintain efficient neural networks in the brain. The benefits of social activity appear to work independently of other social factors, such as the size of one’s social circle.
The study’s results have significant implications for healthcare costs and life expectancy. Delaying dementia onset by five years could save around $500,000 in healthcare costs per person and add about 3 years to life expectancy for those who would otherwise develop dementia.
The research highlights the importance of social engagement in older adults and suggests that communities might benefit from creating more opportunities for social activity, such as organized activities, volunteer programs, or regular social gatherings. The study’s findings also emphasize the potential value of community programs that encourage social engagement among older adults.
The study was published in the January 2025 issue of Alzheimer’s & Dementia and was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health.
