Keep Connected

Keep Connected

Staying in touch with friends and family and keeping up social contact may not be the first things we think of when we consider dementia risk. But there is strong evidence that infrequent social contact, and especially social isolation, are risk factors.

It is believed this may be due to a reduction in cognitive activity. Conversely, “social contact in any form has a potentially beneficial effect on dementia risk by building cognitive reserve, promoting healthy behaviours, and reducing stress and inflammation,” The Lancet, 2024. So Keeping Connected is a definite must for brain health.

Plus, keeping connected also means minimising the barriers we might experience where possible – our hearing and eyesight are important factors here, too. Read on to find out more.

You can read a summary of one major study here, which explored the link between social isolation and lower brain volume in regions associated with cognition and higher dementia risk.

• Stay in touch with family and friends: Regularly connect with family and friends, whether it’s through phone calls, video chats, or in-person visits.
• Join a club or group: Joining a club or group that interests you can help you meet new people and maintain social connections.
• Volunteer: Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and meet new people.