Living alone in old age has been identified as a significant risk factor for dementia. To investigate whether pet ownership could potentially mitigate this risk, researchers in China analyzed data from over 7,900 British participants aged 50 or older.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, revealed that pet ownership was associated with slower rates of decline in verbal memory and verbal fluency among older adults living on their own. However, the research found no significant impact on the cognitive decline of elderly people who cohabited with others.
Professor Ciyong Lu, the lead author of the study, emphasized that pet ownership offset the associations between living alone and declining rates in verbal memory and fluency. The findings indicate that owning a pet may be beneficial for cognitive function in older adults living alone, prompting the need for clinical trials to further assess this potential benefit.
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The study concluded that pet ownership could be linked to slower rates of decline in verbal memory, verbal fluency, and composite verbal cognition among older adults living alone, highlighting potential benefits in the preservation of cognitive function.
While there is no cure for dementia, lifestyle changes, including owning a pet, have been shown to have potential preventive effects. A report by The Lancet identified 12 factors that may influence the likelihood of developing dementia, with lifestyle improvements being key among them.
Dementia is a progressive disease characterized by memory problems, behavioral changes, and mobility difficulties. The global prevalence of dementia is expected to rise significantly in the coming years, making research into potential preventive measures of paramount importance.