A new study found that owning a pet could slow cognitive decline in older adults living alone. Cognitive decline impairs a person’s ability to learn, remember, and make judgments, and can lead to conditions such as dementia. Living alone has been linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline, with a population-attributable fraction of 8.9%. The study involved 7,945 participants aged 50 and above, and found that pet ownership was associated with slower rates of decline in verbal memory and verbal fluency among those living alone. Researchers suggest that pet ownership can offset the effects of living alone on cognitive decline and counter loneliness and social isolation.
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Owning A Pet Could Slow Cognitive Decline In Older Adults Living Alone: Study
