NEW DELHI: Loneliness is a major risk factor that increases the risk of dementia by over 30 per cent, regardless of age or gender, a review of 21 long-term studies involving over six lakh participants worldwide has found. Loneliness, which involves one feeling dissatisfied with their social relationships, was also linked with symptoms preceding the stage of being diagnosed with dementia, such as cognitive impairment or decline.
Both conditions affect decision-making, memory and thought process. However, dementia’s symptoms are severe enough to interfere with one’s daily functioning.
The psychological state of feeling disconnected from society is now widely regarded as a risk factor for ill-health, even though studies have shown that loneliness cannot directly cause the disease.
“Dementia is spectrum, with neuropathological changes that start decades before clinical onset. It is important to continue studying the link of loneliness with different cognitive outcomes or symptoms across this spectrum,” Martina Luchetti, an assistant professor at Florida State University, and lead author of the study published in the journal Nature Mental Health, said.
Aspects of psychological wellbeing such as lacking purpose in life or feeling like there are fewer opportunities for personal growth were found to have noticeably declined three to six years before a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. The result was published in August in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.
In this study, loneliness was found to increase overall risk of dementia by 30 per cent, risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 39 per cent, vascular dementia by 73 per cent and cognitive impairment by 15 per cent.
Alzheimer’s disease is caused by accumulation of proteins in brain, which is thought to cause cell death, while vascular dementia is caused by damage to brain’s blood vessels.
The findings can help identify sources of loneliness to support the well-being and cognitive health of ageing adults, Luchetti said.
The authors acknowledged that the study included subjects largely from the western world. They called for future research to look at data from other countries, including low-income ones, where cases of the ageing-related conditions are rising.
“We know there are rising cases of dementia in low-income countries. Future studies need to gather more data from those countries to evaluate what are the effects of loneliness in different national and cultural contexts,” Luchetti added.

A wedding video is going viral on social media and we can’t stop holding our tears back. The heart touching video is of a father and daughter. The video has been viewed over 6 million times in less than a day!
The video posted by TheFigen_ is about a daughter who is moved to tears when her dad recognises her on her wedding day. In the video we see the dad, who is old and fragile, suddenly remembering the daughter and complimenting her that she looks pretty.The father and daughter hug each other and we can see the daughter holding back her tears.
“A father with dementia recognized his daughter on her wedding day,” the video has been captioned on social media.
“God gave him a miracle on his daughter’s wedding day….Emotional moment,” writes one user; “It’s these little moments of lucidity that can really brighten a person’s life. Alzheimers and dementia are terrifying diseases,” writes another.
Watch the video here:

Dementia in older adults is a progressive condition that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It is caused by damage to brain cells, leading to difficulty in recalling events, recognizing people, or managing daily tasks. Common forms include Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
Early signs of dementia include frequent forgetfulness, confusion about time and place, or difficulty finding words.

Forgetfulness in older adults, however, can also be a normal part of aging. With age, occasional memory lapses such as misplacing items or forgetting names can occur but do not usually affect daily life. Distinguishing between normal forgetfulness and dementia is key. If memory issues interfere with daily tasks, it’s important to consult a doctor, as early diagnosis can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Old age brings with it a decline in the normal functioning of the body. Sometimes many of the symptoms overlap making it difficult for the elderly to carry on with their regular work. In such cases, an organization like ASLI or Association of Senior Living India can be of great help. Organizations play a crucial role in caring for the elderly by providing structured support, resources, and services. They offer home care, medical assistance, social activities, and emotional support to enhance the quality of life for older adults. Through specialized programs, organizations ensure that seniors receive proper healthcare, nutrition, and companionship, reducing isolation and promoting mental well-being.

Organizations also educate caregivers, offering training and respite care, allowing families to better support their elderly loved ones. They advocate for policies and infrastructure that cater to the aging population, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and dignified environment for seniors.