Being socially active in your 50s and 60s reduces the risk of developing dementia later, according to new research.
University College London scholars discovered that a person who saw friends almost daily at the age of 60 was 12% less likely to develop dementia than a person who only saw one or two friends every two or three months.
Having an active social life "at any age could have a similar impact on reducing the risk of dementia," according to the researchers.
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Socialization encourages the use of memory and language, which could help minimize the effects of dementia, according to Professor Gill Livingston, lead author of the report.
She added, "Socially engaged people exercise cognitive skills such as memory and language, which can help them develop a cognitive reserve – even if it does not prevent their brain from changing, the cognitive reserve could help people cope better with the effects of aging. and delay any symptoms of dementia.
"Spending more time with friends could also be beneficial for mental well-being and correlate with physical activity, which can also reduce the risk of developing dementia."
Although previous studies have found a link between social contact and the risk of dementia, the new study, published in the PLOS Medicine review, provides the "strongest evidence to date" to support the theory, according to a statement from the university.
The researchers used data from a study of more than 10,000 people in 1985.
Participants were asked six times about how often they socialized with their friends and relatives.
Dr. Andrew Sommerlad, lead author of the study, said dementia poses "a major global health problem," a million people about to be reached in the UK by 2021.
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"This discovery could fuel strategies to reduce the risk of developing dementia for everyone, adding an extra reason to promote connected communities and find ways to reduce isolation and loneliness."
Dr. Kalpa Kharicha, head of innovation, policy and research at the Campaign to End Loneliness, said: "We need more awareness of the benefits than social well-being and connectivity may have to combat social isolation, loneliness and reduce the risk of dementia.