Dementia is a cruel, progressive disease that leads to the ongoing decline of the brain. As a result some common symptoms include problems with memory, behavioural changes and even difficulty moving.
Although there is no cure for the condition there are treatments available to help ease symptoms. It is also thought that around four in 10 cases of dementia could be prevented by way of lifestyle changes.
These include factors such as diet, exercise and social life. But now a study has shown that owning a pet could have the same effect.
Researchers from China found that pet ownership was associated with slower rates of decline in verbal memory and verbal fluency among older adults living alone.
However, owning a cat or dog did not make any difference for older people who live with others.
As part of the study, published in JAMA Network Open, academics analysed data of more than 7,900 British participants aged 50 or older.
Of the participants more than a third (35.1 percent) owned pets, while 26.9 percent lived alone.
It comes as previous studies suggested that older adults living alone are at high risk for developing dementia.
Some found that pet ownership is associated with better verbal memory and executive function, but others failed to find any evidence.
The new research aimed to explore the association between pet ownership and the rate of cognitive decline and to evaluate the interaction between pet ownership and living alone.
Study corresponding author Professor Ciyong Lu, of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, said: “Pet ownership offset the associations between living alone and declining rates in verbal memory and verbal fluency.
“Pet ownership was associated with slower rates of decline in verbal memory and verbal fluency among older adults living alone, but not among those living with others.
“And pet ownership offset the associations between living alone and declining rates in verbal memory and verbal fluency.
“These findings suggest that pet ownership may be associated with slower cognitive decline among older adults living alone.”
It is estimated that the number of people with dementia worldwide will increase from 57 million in 2019 to 153 million by 2050.
Prof Lu added: “Clinical trials are needed to assess whether pet ownership slows the rate of cognitive decline in older adults living alone.”
The study concluded: “In this prospective cohort study, pet ownership was associated with slower rates of decline in verbal memory, verbal fluency, and composite verbal cognition among older adults living alone, but not among those living with others, and pet ownership completely offset the associations between living alone and decline in verbal memory, verbal fluency, and composite verbal cognition.
“These findings suggest that pet ownership might be beneficial for verbal memory and verbal fluency among older adults living alone.”
A report published by The Lancet in 2020 listed 12 factors that could influence your likelihood of dementia.
There are:
- Education
- High blood pressure
- Hearing impairment
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Depression
- Physical inactivity
- Diabetes
- Infrequent social contact
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Head injury
- Air pollution.
If you are concerned that someone is displaying signs of dementia you should speak to a medical professional.
