Pet ownership has been linked to slower rates of cognitive decline among older adults living alone, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Some studies have found a connection between living alone and an increased risk of dementia, but the recent study involving approximately 8,000 participants suggests that having a pet may mitigate this risk by making individuals less lonely.
Researchers examined data from participants living in England who were over 50 years old and asked whether they lived with a pet, conducting memory tests related to word recall and verbal fluency. It is normal for verbal memory to decline with age, but this decline was slower among those who lived alone with pets.
Dr. Yanzi Li, who led the study from Sun Yat-sen University in China, stated, "The companionship provided by pets may reduce feelings of loneliness and enhance well-being, while walking dogs might help individuals meet others through a common conversation topic. Our results showed that pet owners were less likely to experience social isolation, which is good for the brain and reduces cognitive decline."
He added, "Dog owners may also receive more exercise from walking and sleep better due to fatigue from these walks, which may help improve cognitive function." Furthermore, he noted, "Any type of pet can promote calmness and relaxation and can alleviate stress and anxiety, while caring for and feeding them can provide a sense of purpose for their owners, which is very important for brain health."
