The impact of loneliness and social isolation on the development of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s Disease

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 69, P. 101061 - 101061

Published: Feb. 8, 2023

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, observed at a higher incidence in women compared with men. Treatments aimed improving pathology AD remain ineffective to stop disease progression. This makes detection early intervention strategies reduce future risk extremely important. Isolation and loneliness have been identified among major factors for AD. The increasing prevalence both emphasizes urgent need understand this association inform treatment. Here we present comprehensive review clinical preclinical studies that investigated social isolation as We discuss understanding mechanisms how exacerbates cognitive impairment focus on sex differences will shed light underlying regarding factor develop effective prevention or treatment strategies.

Language: Английский

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“Relationships, Very Quickly, Turn to Nothing”: Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Adaptation to Changing Social Lives Among Persons Living With Dementia and Care Partners

The Gerontologist, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 64(4)

Published: March 19, 2024

Persons with dementia and their care partners have known risks for loneliness social isolation throughout the disease trajectory, yet little is described about lives in a population heterogeneous stage, syndrome type, setting. We conducted secondary analysis of qualitative interviews from multiple studies to triangulate responses cohort persons (n = 24), active 33) or bereaved 15) diverse setting, type life experience. Interviews explored challenges related were analyzed thematically. on average 80 years old (range: 67-94), 38% female, 78% diagnosed Alzheimer's dementia; 67 40-87) 69% female. identified 3 primary themes. First, dyads lost external networks due complex factors, including discomfort surrounding networks, caregiving responsibilities, progressive cognitive deficits. Second, disruptions meaningful dyadic relationships functional deficits, leading anticipatory grief. Third, adaptive strategies centered facilitating shared activities programs addressing caregiver burden. An overarching theme disease-course accumulation barriers interactions constant adaptations was present all Isolation are experience source distress partners. Results can inform interventions tailored individual needs stages that enhance connectedness.

Language: Английский

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Association between social networks and cognitive impairment among older Chinese adults: the mediating effect of depression

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

This study aimed to explore the rationality of social networks-depression-cognitive impairment pathway and provide recommendations for development mild cognitive intervention strategies. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2021. Sixteen urban communities Xi 'an, Shaanxi China were selected as sample sites. The function, networks depression measured by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6) Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15), respectively. generalized linear model used analysis impact on impairment, further mediating effect depression. total 745 elderly people aged 60 above included this survey, with an average age 68.90 ± 6.00 years. prevalence 18.52%, increased age. According model, poor (relative network, friend network) associated higher risk (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.27-3.41), association more significant women older adults <70 years Mediation results showed that path between indirect effects accounting 34.44%. isolation increases has a relationship impairment.

Language: Английский

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Prevalence and determinants of loneliness in people living with dementia: Findings from the IDEAL programme

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 35(8), P. 851 - 858

Published: April 13, 2020

Objective To establish the prevalence and determinants of loneliness among people living with dementia. Methods Using data from baseline wave Improving experience Dementia Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) cohort study, we examined predictors in 1547 mild‐to‐moderate Loneliness was assessed using six‐item De Jong Gierveld scale. Results About 30.1% dementia reported feeling moderately lonely 5.2% severely lonely. Depressive symptoms increased risk social isolation were associated both moderate severe loneliness. Those alone more likely to as those reporting poorer quality life. Marital status not nor diagnosis or cognitive function. Conclusions This is one few large‐scale studies explore Social isolation, depression experiencing Longitudinal are needed determine directionality these associations.

Language: Английский

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“We Don't Feel so Alone”: A Qualitative Study of Virtual Memory Cafés to Support Social Connectedness Among Individuals Living With Dementia and Care Partners During COVID-19

Frontiers in Public Health, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: May 13, 2021

Introduction: Loneliness and low social support can be detrimental to the health of individuals living with Alzheimer's related dementias (ADRD) family care partners. Restrictions on gatherings prevent spread COVID-19 create an even greater risk for isolation. Memory Cafés are a highly replicated program that provide ADRD partners opportunity socialize in inclusive supportive environment without fear judgment, pressure, or stigma. Following restrictions in-person gatherings, virtual offer regular engagement opportunities online format. While Café model has been globally, their effects loneliness perceived generally unknown. Even less is known about impact when operating environment. Methods: Semi-structured interviews Spanish English were conducted dementia who regularly attend hosted by Texas Network. Interviews took place using video conferencing software, transcribed, then analyzed common themes combined inductive deductive approach. Results: A total 17 persons (n = 5) 12) learn experiences connectedness since COVID-19. Care included spouses 8) adult children 4). attendees different models, including only 2), 9), those both models 6). Five key identified: (1) Reprieve; (2) What still possible; (3) Connectedness; (4) Inclusivity; (5) Value added, ten sub-themes supporting these main themes. Discussion: Findings substantiate evidence important benefits families dementia, providing vital new insight into potential similar benefits. have implications beyond context COVID-19, where may geographically marginalized underserved areas. Virtual not address needs all experiencing due lack access technology limitations later stage dementia.

Language: Английский

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Protective factors for subjective cognitive decline individuals: trajectories and changes in a longitudinal study with Italian elderly

European Journal of Neurology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 29(3), P. 691 - 697

Published: Nov. 14, 2021

Many different factors have been hypothesized to modulate cognition in an aging population according their functioning at baseline.This retrospective study quantifies the relative contribution of age and sex as demographic factors, comorbidity, education occupation (classified with International Standard Classification Occupation 2008) cognitive reserve proxies accounting for aging. All participants (3081) were evaluated baseline a complete neuropsychological test battery (T1) those unimpaired profiles classified subjective decline, mildly impaired mild neurocognitive decline severely major decline. From first assessment 543 individuals assessed second time (T2), 125 third (T3). Depending on whether they maintained or worsened profile, based initial performance, then resistant declining.At baseline, all showed best predictors addition age. Furthermore, across assessments, had higher levels than declining. In particular, predicted performance groups considered, from one most participants.This highlights role working activity protecting fragile elderly even more so who are very high risk

Language: Английский

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Themes describing social isolation in family caregivers of people living with dementia: A scoping review

Dementia, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 21(2), P. 701 - 721

Published: Dec. 6, 2021

Introduction The number of people with dementia has been increasing. Evidence shows that over 16 million family caregivers provide unpaid care for dementia. However, experience several challenges throughout their caregiving role, including social isolation. Although isolation in well documented, not received as much scholarly attention. This scoping review sought to address this dearth research through the following question: “What are themes, concepts, or constructs describe living dementia?”. Method An electronic search was conducted PubMed, PsycInfo, and Scopus, using Boolean phrase: AND “social isolation” (caregiver OR carers). Content analysis identify relevant themes. Findings initial yielded 301 studies. Through screening processes, 13 studies were eligible review. Based on a synthesis evidence, five themes emerged from data: disease progression, psychological state, networks, supports, technology. Discussion demonstrates is related progression dementia, states, lack supports. In contrast, technology may reduce Identifying provides policy practice implications, such information communication create redefine networks.

Language: Английский

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Social health, social reserve and dementia

Current Opinion in Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 35(2), P. 111 - 117

Published: Dec. 24, 2021

Purpose of review There is increasing recognition social health being protective against disease, including age-related cognitive decline and dementia. Many concepts around health, reserve connectedness are imprecise without agreed definitions. The mechanisms by which not well understood. Recent findings S everal observational studies suggest that participation whereas loneliness a risk factor for possible include effects on inflammatory process immune function, reduced vascular disease risk, improved behaviours, lower depression, increased through stimulation physical activity. Social networks have been shown to modify the relationship between Alzheimer's impairment. is, however, reciprocal, with dementia leading loss, in turn worsens decline. conceptualized as both brain processes underlying ability predisposition form meaningful ties, their instantiation an environmental resource high-quality networks. Summary Consistent definitions health-related terms will lead better understanding determinants so tailored interventions can be developed increase improve individual.

Language: Английский

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Social connectedness and the role of virtual reality: experiences and perceptions of people living with dementia and their caregivers

Disability and Rehabilitation Assistive Technology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(7), P. 2615 - 2629

Published: Feb. 19, 2024

People living with dementia are often at increased risk of becoming socially disconnected due to dementia-related challenges. In recent years, digital technology has been designed help address the social health people and provide opportunities promote or maintain their connectedness. This paper presents findings from phase two a participatory action research project, which explored caregiver's experiences perceptions connectedness potential role Virtual Reality (VR) in promoting maintaining same.

Language: Английский

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Depression, Loneliness, Social Support, Activities of Daily Living, and Life Satisfaction in Older Adults at High-Risk of Dementia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 17(24), P. 9448 - 9448

Published: Dec. 17, 2020

As the number of older adults with dementia increases, early diagnosis and intervention are crucially important. The purpose this study was to conduct screening on determine whether there differences in depression, loneliness, social support, daily activities living, life satisfaction between at high-risk for compared low-risk adults. We hypothesized a negative relationship these factors. This also moderating effect support living satisfaction. used cross-sectional design survey data. Participants were recruited 15 public community health centers South Korea. A total 609 (male 208, female 401) screened dementia, 113 participants (18.9%) assigned group. hypothesized, group showed significantly more results terms findings provide theoretical basis importance policies effective prevention.

Language: Английский

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