Preventing Loneliness and Social Isolation as a risk factor for Cognitive-Neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s Disease

By: Advika Pundlik

Humans are innately social beings, dependent on and motivated by social relationships from infancy to old age. In humans, both social isolation and loneliness have been associated with negative physical health impacts, such as increased blood pressure, stress response, and risk of cardiovascular disease with an overall increased risk for mortality at comparable odds ratios. Loneliness has also been reported to have negative impacts on mental health, with increased depressive and anxiety symptoms, sleep irregularities, and cognitive decline. While several studies have used the term ‘social isolation’ to encompass both loneliness and a lack of social contact, those comparing objective and subjective isolation have found a stronger correlation between perceived isolation (or loneliness) and depression. Overall, prolonged social isolation and particularly loneliness are a major source of psychosocial stress that increases the prevalence of diseases associated with neuropsychological dysfunction. When compared directly, both loneliness and social isolation were found to have strong associations with lower cognition, evident across multiple cognitive tasks and domains

Although it’s hard to measure social isolation and loneliness precisely, there is strong evidence that many adults aged 50 and older are socially isolated or lonely in ways that put their health at risk. Recent studies found that:

• Social isolation significantly increases a person’s risk of premature death from all causes, a risk that may rival those of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.

• Social isolation was associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia.

• Poor social relationships (characterized by social isolation or loneliness) were associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.

• Loneliness was associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide.

• Loneliness among heart failure patients was associated with nearly 4 times increased risk of death, 68% increased risk of hospitalization, and 57% increased risk of emergency department visits.

Recommendations:

• AARP - is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age.

Provides helpful information to seniors to help improve quality of life and provides access to Community Connection Tools.

• Area Agencies on Aging - believes that every person should be able to age with optimal health, well-being, independence, and dignity in their homes and communities. To achieve this, we are committed to building a society that values and supports people as they age.

 A free national service that helps find local resources for seniors such as financial support, caregiving services, and transportation. It includes a brochure that shows how volunteering can help keep you socially connected.

• (AAA)-A network of over 620 organizations across America that provides information and assistance with programs including nutrition and meal programs (counseling and home-delivered or group meals), caregiver support, and more. The website can help you find your local AAA, which may provide classes in Tai Chi and diabetes self-management.

Works with nonprofit organizations, governments, and businesses to provide community programs and services. This is the place to find what senior programs are available to assist with healthy aging and financial security, including the Aging Mastery Program® that is shown to increase social connectedness and healthy eating habits.

• The National Council on Aging - is a nonprofit that believes every person deserves to age well. Provides materials on social isolation and loneliness for older adults, caregivers, and health care providers. Materials include health information, a print publication available to view or order no-cost paper copies, a health care provider flyer, and social media graphics and posts.

There are things you can do to help protect yourself or a loved one from the negative effects of loneliness and social isolation. First, it’s important to take care of yourself. Try exercising, eating healthy, getting enough sleep (7 to 9 hours), and pursuing activities you enjoy to help manage stress and stay as mentally and physically healthy as possible. It’s also important to stay active and connect with others. People who engage in meaningful, productive activities they enjoy with others feel a sense of purpose and tend to live longer. For example, helping others through volunteering helps you feel less lonely and allows you to have a sense of mission and purpose in life, which is linked to better health. Studies show activities like these may help boost your mood and improve your well-being and cognitive function. You can do it, I pinky promise.