Whether it be meeting up for a coffee with friends, attending a class, or joining your local book club staying social may help maintain cognitive health, according to researchers.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Rush University Medical Center, found that regular social activity could help prevent or delay dementia in later life.
“This study is a follow up on previous papers from our group showing that social activity is related to less cognitive decline in older adults,” Bryan James, PhD, associate professor of internal medicine at Rush, said.
The study included over 1,000 older adults with a median age of 80 who were part of the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Social activity was measured through a questionnaire while cognitive function was assessed using 21 tests for various types of memory.
Researchers found that frequent social activity led to a 38 per cent reduction in dementia risk and a 21 per cent reduction in mild cognitive impairment risk, among participants, compared to those who were less socially active.
James explained that the study demonstrated that “social activity is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia and mild cognitive impairment, and that the least socially active older adults developed dementia an average of five years before the most socially active.”
While the findings offer some hope in the prevention of dementia, James stressed that further research is required to better understand whether social activity can play a role in delaying or preventing cognitive decline.
Given these findings, the importance of staying socially engaged cannot be overstated. A great way to stay social is by joining a social group or club that caters to your interests, such as a book club, a gardening group, a dance group, or a community service group.
You could also join a volunteer group which can be a great way to meet new people and give back to your community.
Another way to socialise is by attending community events that can provide you with opportunities to meet new people and socialise with others.
You could also try taking a class or course in a subject that interests you where you’ll be able to meet like-minded people who share similar interests.
A great way to meet like-minded over-60s right around Australia is at your local Starts at 60 Meet Up event. Hosted by volunteers from the Starts at 60 community, Starts at 60 Meet Ups takes place once a month across the country where attendees catch up over coffee or lunch, and most importantly good company. Most events are held at the same location on the same day of each month so you can get to know a group near you and build friendships in your own community.
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.