The Loneliness of Social Isolation Can Raise Dementia Risk in Older Adults

Pennsylvania State University's Karra Harrington and Martin J. Sliwinski write in The Conversation that the social isolation older adults are experiencing during the coronavirus pandemic is raising dementia risk, but there are remediative strategies. "Loneliness has . . . been found to increase the risk of developing dementia by as much as 20 percent," the authors note. "In fact, loneliness has an influence similar to other more well-established dementia risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, physical inactivity, and hearing loss." Moreover, loneliness and social isolation can encourage poor health habits like little exercise, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol. Loneliness also triggers stress, which "can lead to increased inflammation and reduced immunity, particularly in older adults," according to the authors. As coping strategies, Harrington and Sliwinski suggest older adults try to refocus their attention on what they can do to maintain social connections, and formulate an action plan. "This could include planning to reach out to friends or family, or trying new activities at home that you normally wouldn't have time for, such as online classes or book clubs," the authors write. They also recommend regular exercise and sleep regimens, healthy dieting, and engagement in enjoyable activities.