Loneliness was a growing problem even before the Covid pandemic enforced isolation on people across the world. The impacts of loneliness are only just being understood, and a recent study from the University of Michigan adds additional evidence to the mix.

It finds that prolonged periods of loneliness among older adults can accelerate the deterioration of their memory, with obvious consequences for their ability to maintain their independence.

“We found that feeling lonely for a longer duration of time was associated with more rapid memory decline, suggesting that it is never too late in life to work on reducing feelings of loneliness to support healthy aging,” the researchers explain.

Mental capacity

The researchers analyzed interview data from around 9,000 people over 50 who participated in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study between 1996 and 2016. They were specifically looking for periods of loneliness between 1996 and 2004, and then any changes in their memory skills between 2004 and 2016.

The analysis found that the link between memory and loneliness was present across the demographic, but was particularly strong among those aged over 65, and among older adults was particularly pronounced among women.

“Women tend to have larger social networks than men, which may make women less likely to feel lonely than men, but more vulnerable once experiencing long-term loneliness,” the researchers say. “Social stigma and the reluctance to admit loneliness may also be a factor in this observed gender-specific association.”

Having a robust social network has long been understood to have various health benefits, and this is certainly the case as we grow older. This study adds to the growing body of evidence to support the importance of helping people to retain those connections if we want to encourage healthy aging.