Owning a pet can significantly reduce your risk of developing dementia if you live alone, according to research.
Researchers measured changes in brain function in 7,900 people aged 50 and older—some had cats and dogs, some had no pets, some lived alone, others did not.
They found that lonely people who owned a cat or dog had “significantly” slower declines in verbal memory and language skills than people without a pet.
According to a study published in the journal, pet ownership does not affect the cognitive performance of those who live with one or more other people. YAMA network.
Researchers at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China, now need a larger study to confirm the results, which they plan to conduct in 2024.
But they believe that having a pet can help people living alone slow the progression of dementia – in part by helping the owner interact socially with others by providing something to talk about.
Connecting with others is considered an important defense against dementia.
“We found that pet ownership was associated with slower decline in verbal memory and language skills among older adults living alone, but not among those living with others,” said Yanzhi Li of Sun Yat-sen University. I.
Dr Lee said the strength of the association was such that owning a pet appeared to offset the significantly increased risk of dementia resulting from living alone.
“Pet ownership can slow cognitive decline in several ways,” explains Dr. Lee.
“Firstly, the company of pets can reduce loneliness and increase well-being.
“Secondly, pets can provide owners with many opportunities to meet new people and surroundings while out and about (such as walking the dog) and become conversation starters.” isolation rates than non-pet owners – Pet Owners.
“Pet owners now fall asleep more easily than owners who don’t have pets. For example, dog owners often walk their dogs before bed, which can have a relaxing effect on owners and make it easier for them to fall asleep.
“Fourth, grooming, feeding, grooming and walking pets helps owners engage in more physical activity. Our results indicate that pet owners engage in more moderate to vigorous physical activity compared to non-pet owners.
“Fifthly, watching pets can help people calm down, relax and reduce stress and anxiety.
“Sixth, pets often require specialized nutrition, habitat, and veterinary care that can provide their owners with a sense of meaning and purpose.
“Finally, some pets often require special enclosures—such as aquariums and chicken coops—to meet their more specific living and care needs.
“These enclosures, which include special lighting, water features, plants, rocks and special soils, can help owners connect with nature, thereby boosting the owner’s immunity.”
This is the second study in recent weeks to suggest that owning a pet may help prevent dementia as you age.
Last month, a study by the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology found that dog owners have a 40 percent lower risk of developing dementia than people who don’t own dogs.
The four-year research project, published in the journal Preventive Medicine, looked at nearly 12,000 city residents over 65 years of age.
Researchers say this is the first time scientists have established a clear link between dog ownership and the development of dementia.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.