Pets can improve our brain health as we age

Dogs, cats, and other pets are a great source of social and emotional support. And now there is proof that pets can even help our brain health as we age! A new study found that having a pet reduced cognitive decline in older people living alone. Why is this important? Read on to learn more about dementia and Alzheimer's disease - and how pets can help reduce the impacts of aging.

Dementia in our aging world population

Many younger people haven’t thought much about the health of their brain. But as we get older, we become more concerned about suffering from memory and cognitive decline. And for good reason. Did you know that dementia and Alzheimer's disease affect about 10% of people over the age of 65?

Dementia is considered the loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. According to the World Health Organization, 55 million people around the world have dementia with 10 million new cases each year. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60-70% of the cases. And women are affected more by dementia and Alzheimer’s than men.

The growing world population of older adults means that the number of people with dementia will skyrocket in the coming decades. Alzheimer’s Disease International estimated that 139 million people will be affected by 2050. In addition to the human losses, the annual cost for dementia care is expected to more than double by 2030 – to $2.8 trillion.

While research is advancing, no cures for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia exist today.

The influence of lifestyle habits on brain health

It is not all doom and gloom, though. There are many things that we can do to preserve our brain health. Research has shown that good lifestyle habits affect brain health. And it is never too early to start protecting your brain! The physical changes in the brain that result in Alzheimer's disease can start 20 years before symptoms.

Lifestyle habits that can change the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia are called “modifiable risk factors”. To reduce the risk of these conditions, keep physically active, don’t smoke, maintain a healthy weight, manage blood sugar, prevent or manage high blood pressure, correct hearing loss, don’t drink to excess, and stay socially and mentally active. Addressing modifiable risk factors like these can prevent or delay up to 40% of dementia cases!

Study on pets and cognitive abilities in older adults

A study just published in JAMA Network Open sought to understand the relationship between pet ownership and cognitive decline in older adults. The researchers from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China were specifically interested in whether having a pet reduced the effects of living alone on cognitive decline. Previous studies found that older adults living alone are at high risk for developing dementia.

In the study of almost 8000 individuals, the scientists reported that having a pet was associated with slower rates of mental decline among individuals living alone. In fact, a pet completely offset the association between living alone and declining rates in verbal memory and verbal fluency measured through standardized tests.

The positive impact of having a pet was not found in study participants who lived with others, as they likely already had adequate social contact. This finding supports the idea that pets can be social companions, with similar benefits to brain health as having human companions. Pets can reduce loneliness, engage us in purposeful activities, and increase exercise. Dogs in particular were selected for friendly behaviors on the path of domestication from wolves.

Other studies have supported the benefits of pets to our mental and emotional wellbeing. However, it is unclear whether having a pet causes the improvement, or other variables are influencing the relationship. More research is needed to answer this question.

In the meantime, it is probably clear to all pet-lovers that our furry and feathered friends are good for our health. And this new research indicates that having a pet may reduce the chance of developing dementia.