Volunteering in your community and having lunch with a buddy are both more than just fun things to do. They are great ways to connect with other people, keep your mind active, and help prevent dementia. But for how long? The January 2025 issue of Alzheimer's and Dementia had a study that tried to find out. The study monitored roughly 2,000 persons who did not have dementia for about seven years. The average age of the participants was 80. Every year, participants had their health and cognitive abilities checked and were were told how often they had done things like visiting friends, going to restaurants, and volunteering. About a third of the people who took part in the study got either dementia or mild cognitive impairment, which is the stage before dementia. The participants who were least socially active got that diagnosis roughly five years before the ones who were most socially active. The study is observational and cannot establish causation. But being social makes you feel good and helps you feel less lonely and alone, which are two things that can lead to numerous chronic diseases and even early death.
This is very true. Great information and well written.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteGreat post. Another thing I've learned is that keeping up with hearing health also helps keep us cognitively well, and of course that helps us to stay socially active.
ReplyDeleteThat is right. Thank you.
DeleteEstar acompañado y querido da buena salud. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteThat is right.
DeleteDementia is a terrible disease. We all remember how Joe Biden greeted ghosts.
ReplyDeleteI don't wish dementia on anyone!
I know, right? so sad to see a person struggle with it as everything changes.
DeleteIf that is what it wakes, I am doomed. lol
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha, No way. You need to start socializing now. Let's do this.
DeleteHahahahaha, No way. You need to start socializing now. Let's do this.
Deleteyou wrote : being social makes you feel good and helps you feel less lonely and alone, this is absolutely true!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading.
DeleteI have been for ever thinking about doing something for the community and still I haven't tried...
ReplyDeleteThis is the time to socialize. be active and stay fit.
DeleteThis is so true.
ReplyDeleterkrsrue.blogspot.com
Sometimes the simplest connections, just a chat with a friend or sharing a small activity, can have the biggest impact on our well-being.
DeleteKeeping busy makes you feel like you have value and that's so important. I'm not sure that has anything to do with getting dementia, but I'd be curious.
ReplyDeleteYou’re touching on an important point. Feeling useful and engaged in life definitely contributes to emotional well-being, self-esteem, and overall mental health. Interestingly, studies suggest that staying mentally and socially active can also help reduce the risk of cognitive decline, including dementia. Activities that challenge the brain, like learning something new, volunteering, or even meaningful social interactions, can help keep the mind sharp over time. So keeping busy can serve both emotional and cognitive health.
DeleteDobrze, że o tym piszesz. To bardzo ważne!
ReplyDeleteThank you for saying that. It’s easy to underestimate how much small, consistent social connections can affect our health and happiness.
DeleteIt's so bad for anyone. Anything to prevent it.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Loneliness and isolation can affect anyone, regardless of age or personality. The good news is that there are many ways to prevent it.
DeleteSer socialmente activo é bem melhor para uma vida saudável. Fechar-se é meio caminho para doenças.
ReplyDeleteGrata.
You’re absolutely right. While solitude can be restorative in moderation, prolonged isolation can take a toll on both mental and physical health.
DeleteI'm thinking of volunteering in our local nursery home once I've retired, so thank you for sharing this reminder, Melody!
ReplyDeleteVolunteering is a meaningful way to connect with others, and in a setting like a nursery home, even small interactions can have a big impact on both your life and the lives of the residents. It’s a perfect example of finding a social activity that feels comfortable and rewarding, and it will give you the chance to build connections while contributing to your community.
DeleteSi que puede ser un motivo que retrase ciertas enfermedades el ser una persona sociable y con cierto nivel de trato con el resto de personas.
ReplyDeleteSaludos.
Exactly. Regular social interaction doesn’t just lift your mood, it can have tangible effects on physical health as well. Research shows that people who maintain meaningful social connections often have lower risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and even cognitive decline. Social engagement stimulates the mind, reduces stress, and encourages healthy behaviors, all of which can contribute to a longer, healthier life.
DeleteThis is very true. I'm convinced that the reason why Italians live the longest lives in Europe is because they are so socially active, even at old age.
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point. There’s certainly something to be said for cultures that prioritize connection and community. In Italy, the emphasis on family gatherings, meals with friends, and maintaining close social ties likely contributes to both longevity and quality of life. It’s a reminder that even small, regular interactions can have a powerful impact on our health and happiness, no matter our age.
DeleteWe need to make sure we do as much as we can to keep ourselves healthy and stimulate our brain so we can get older and keep being able to do anything pretty much and live a good life.
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Absolutely, you’ve summed it up beautifully. Social connection is just one piece of the puzzle for maintaining a healthy, active life. It’s about finding what feels comfortable for you and making it a regular part of life so that staying healthy and enjoying your later years feels natural, not forced.
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