Pet Ownership Benefits Cognitive Health in Singles Over-50s

Owning pets has been identified as a beneficial factor in mitigating cognitive decline for individuals aged 50 and above who reside independently, according to a recent study encompassing nearly 8,000 participants. Researchers discovered a noteworthy connection between pet ownership and decelerated rates of decline in both verbal memory and verbal fluency among older adults living in solitary conditions.

The study cohort consisted of 7,945 predominantly white British participants, with an average age of 66, drawn from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Over an eight-year period, it was observed that 35.1 percent of the group possessed pets, while approximately 30% of the participants lived alone.

Contrary to previous studies indicating that living alone poses a risk for dementia and cognitive decline, this research uncovered those individuals in such circumstances who cared for dogs or cats experienced a reduction in feelings of loneliness. Although some studies have suggested a positive correlation between pet ownership and enhanced verbal memory and executive function, others have failed to provide supporting evidence.

Advertisements

Owning pets has been identified as a beneficial factor in mitigating cognitive decline for individuals aged 50 and above who reside independently

This new study aims to delve deeper into the relationship between aging independently, a trend on the rise in recent decades, and pet ownership. The results of the research were unequivocal, with study corresponding author Professor Ciyong Lu from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China, stating, “Pet ownership offset the associations between living alone and declining rates in verbal memory and verbal fluency.” This effect was identified as a significant modifier across three key associations: composite verbal cognition, verbal memory, and verbal fluency.

The findings indicate that pet ownership is specifically linked to slower cognitive decline in older adults living in solitary conditions. Notably, the positive impact of owning a cat or dog did not extend to older individuals who cohabitated with others. In summary, these results suggest that pet ownership may play a vital role in alleviating cognitive decline among older adults who live independently.

For more seniors news, click here.