A recent study suggests that individuals over the age of 50, who live alone, can potentially alleviate the decline in their verbal cognition or dementia by welcoming a pet into their homes.
“Pet ownership may completely offset the effect of living alone on cognitive decline,” said study co-author Dr. Ciyong Lu, professor of epidemiology and medical science and associate dean of the School of Public Health at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China.
However, according to esteemed neurologist Dr. Richard Isaacson, it is important to note that the study can only establish a correlation and not a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
“It’s more accurate to say MAY slow down (cognitive decline) and that more prospective studies including a randomized controlled trial would be needed to make more definitive conclusions,” Isaacson said in an email via WBALTV 11.
“One caution I would say is that if a person who lives alone already has cognitive impairment or physical limitations such as balance or vision problems, it wouldn’t generally be advisable for that person to adopt a pet to slow down their brain aging,” he added.
Isaacson emphasized that taking care of a pet, particularly a playful puppy or curious kitten, requires a significant amount of effort and responsibility. Whereas someone might be coherent enough to hold their own and manage their affairs, adding responsibilities may be out of the question.
“Having cognitive decline makes it harder to responsibly care for a pet without help, and the person may be at higher risk of falling if they have trouble with balance or vision at baseline when walking and playing,” he said via WBALTV 11.
Health impact of living alone
Numerous studies have demonstrated the correlation between living alone and heightened feelings of anxiety and depression, particularly when it follows the loss of a partner through death, divorce, or separation. It is crucial to acknowledge and address these potential challenges in order to maintain mental well-being.
The results of a recent study conducted in 2022 revealed that living alone increases the risk of depression by a significant 42% when compared to living with others.
This finding is crucial as depression has been found to double the risk of developing dementia, according to scientists who have extensively studied the subject. In fact, a commission in 2020 even identified late-life depression as one of the top 12 major risk factors for dementia.
These findings highlight the importance of understanding and addressing mental health issues, particularly in relation to aging populations.
A recent study, published in the esteemed journal JAMA Network Open, delved into the impact of pet ownership on cognitive abilities among individuals aged 50 and above.
According to Lu, the relationship between pet ownership and cognitive decline appears to be influenced by whether a person lives alone or with others.
Surprisingly, individuals who lived solo experienced slower rates of decline in verbal cognition, verbal memory, and fluency with the presence of a pet. The exact reason behind this correlation remains uncertain.
“This test evaluates elements of attention, working memory, and short-term memory, for example,” he said via WBALTV 11. “While the results were statistically significant, the magnitude of the effects were not large for verbal memory — one half of a word (point) for the 20-point verbal memory task.”
According to Isaacson, there is an interesting finding in regard to verbal fluency. People who live with pets as their only companionship have a slightly higher level of verbal fluency compared to those who live alone. This difference may seem small, but it is certainly significant and worth considering when it comes to the benefits of having a furry friend by your side.
How living with pets may help
Although further research is required, there are multiple compelling reasons why owning a pet, be it a dog, cat, fish, bird or any other companion animal, could potentially lower the risk of cognitive decline. This is an exciting prospect that merits serious consideration and exploration.
“First, the companionship provided by pets can reduce loneliness and increase well-being,” Lu said, adding that “watching pets can help people calm, relax, and relieve stress and anxiety.”
Furthermore, having pets can open up opportunities for owners to meet new people and engage in conversations. For instance, taking walks with a dog can create connections with fellow pet lovers. Interestingly, a study revealed that pet owners generally have lower social isolation scores compared to non-pet owners.
Having good quality sleep is not only crucial for your overall well-being but also plays a significant role in preventing the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. A recent study conducted in 2023 revealed that even a slight decrease in slow-wave sleep per year can increase the risk of dementia by 27% and raise the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 32%.
“Pet owners fall asleep more easily than non-pet owners. For example, dog owners often walk their dogs before bedtime, which may have a relaxing effect on the owners and make it easier for them to fall asleep,” Lu said via WBALTV 11.
According to Lu, owning pets that require specialized care like specific food, habitat, and veterinary attention can bring a sense of purpose and meaning to their owners’ lives.
Additionally, taking care of these pets by feeding and grooming them often leads to increased physical activity, especially if done outdoors in natural surroundings. Research has even shown that spending time in nature can have positive effects on the immune system and overall health.
“Compared with non-pet owners, pet owners take more moderate and vigorous physical activity,” Lu added.
Besides, according to Lu, certain pet enclosures like aquariums or chicken coops might require specialized lighting, water features, plants, rocks, or soils. These elements have the potential to foster a genuine connection with nature for pet owners and potentially boost their overall immunity.
