Isolated older adults fared better than socially connected peers during pandemic, study says
By
Kristen Fischer
Apr 26, 2024
Social isolation typically isn’t healthy for older adults, but those who were more isolated actually fared better than their socially connected peers when the pandemic forced the world into lockdown,...
Social activity can prevent cognitive decline in some nursing home residents, study finds
By
Kristen Fischer
Mar 20, 2024
Participation in social activities can offer some protection against cognitive decline among those in long-term care communities, according to a report published Tuesday in the Journal of Alzheimer’s...
Loneliness, frailty linked to health problems in older adults
By
Kristen Fischer
Mar 04, 2024
Loneliness and frailty can be common among older people — and it can have a negative impact on their physical health, according to a review published on Feb. 29 in The Lancet Healthy Longevity.
Lack of visits from family, friends linked to higher risk for dying
By
Kristen Fischer
Nov 10, 2023
Pay attention to older people who don’t get a lot of visitors. The lack of interaction from family and friends is linked to a higher risk for dying, according to a study published in BMC Medicine on...
For poorer adults, life satisfaction not always linked to better cognitive functioning, study finds
By
Kristen Fischer
Oct 02, 2023
Though many studies show that satisfaction in life can improve cognitive function, a new study showed that’s not the case for all people. Even if they are satisfied, they may not get a cognitive boost...
Social pursuits may protect frail seniors from new disabilities: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 08, 2023
Engagement in group social activities appears to protect frail seniors from developing new disabilities and help avert untimely death, investigators say.
Study unveils ‘silent epidemic’ of loneliness among older women during pandemic
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 09, 2022
Data from the Women’s Health Initiative show that rates of loneliness in women aged 70 and older have increased during the pandemic, with 19% reporting severe troubles, investigators say.
Early Alzheimer’s diagnosis may unintentionally hamper social engagement
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 23, 2021
Clinicians should identify strategies to alleviate the social impacts of dementia diagnoses and encourage patients to mobilize informal support networks, researchers say.
Elders get a cognitive boost after positive social interactions, mobile study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 15, 2021
In a smartphone-enabled study, adults aged 70 years and older had better cognitive performance the same day that they reported having more frequent, pleasant social interactions than usual — and on the...
Having a good listener in one’s life may help slow cognitive decline: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 18, 2021
Older adults who have regular interactions with active listeners are more likely to have cognitive functioning that contradicts evidence of dementia-related brain changes, a new study finds.