The Power of Connection

As we get older, making new friends and staying socially active can become more difficult. Research shows that about one in 20 older Americans feel socially isolated and lonely. And that can have a significant impact on our health: Scientists have found that people who experience social isolation and loneliness have a higher risk of developing depression and anxiety — and increased risk of developing dementia.

Researchers at Cambridge University conducted a study with nearly 500,000 people over 15 years to determine the association between loneliness and dementia risk. They found that feeling lonely was associated with a nearly 60 percent increased risk of all-cause dementia. Conversely, strong social ties can even act as a protective factor when it comes to health. Another study found those who had unhealthy habits such as smoking and obesity, but strong social ties, lived longer than those who had otherwise healthy habits but few social connections.

Kalsey Killam, a social scientist and author of The Art of Science and Connection, said it can become harder to make friends as we get older.

“One of the most common barriers people share with me is not how to make friends as adults, it’s when,” Killam said. “Many people feel too busy to branch out and invest the time and energy…needed to form and deepen new friendships.”

Unlike other risk factors of dementia such as genetic predisposition, it’s important to keep in mind that socialization is a modifiable risk factor. Despite the challenges of making friends as we get older, people can go through periods of their life where they feel lonely followed by periods where they do not.

How do you meet the social needs of someone with Alzheimer’s?

For people living with Alzheimer’s, being socially active may stimulate cognition, and engaging in social activities is tied to better life satisfaction. But because Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurological disorder that can cause symptoms like memory loss, agitation, aggression, communication challenges, and reduced ability to carry out everyday activities, and so people with Alzheimer’s disease can have a hard time engaging in healthy social interactions and maintaining an active social life.

People without the disease might also be wondering how to interact with their loved one dealing with a diagnosis. Getting involved in group activities through advocacy centers like Alzheimer Society or other dementia-focused organizations can offer support for both caregivers and those living with the disease. Joining a local club or a local class like pottery, knitting, painting, pickleball, or running can help you meet people with interests similar to your own.

Doug Brown, Chief Policy and Research Advisor at Alzheimer’s Society, told Being Patient, “maintaining a healthy social life and doing things you enjoy is important for everyone’s quality of life. People with dementia have a right to continue living a life they love.”