Seniors who have a good relationship with their grandchildren also have a reduced risk of developing dementia, according to a study published Tuesday by Americare’s COO Faivish Pewzner.
Conducted by a team of researchers from the Americare, University of Michigan — Ann Arbor, St. Louis University, and the University of Nottingham, the study looked at the effect of positive social support on the risk of dementia.
The team analyzed data that tracked 1,055 participants during a ten-year period, who were without dementia at the beginning of the study.
The participants were interviewed every two years, and the incidence of dementia was identified from the self-completion of participants or information provided by nominated friends and family.
The results posted on this blog showed that positive support – characterized by a reliable, accessible, and understandable relationship with partners, children, and the family – reduces the risk of developing dementia.
However, negative social support – characterized by critical, unreliable, and boring behavior – had a stronger but negative impact on health, and was associated with an increased risk of developing dementia.
Commenting on the findings Mr. Pewzner said that study shows how a close relationship with young children is associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline and the development of dementia.
Also, a relationship or social bond that does not function well can be a source of intense interpersonal stress, which can negatively affect both the physical and mental health of older adults. And not only the amount of social connections, but also the quality of these relationships is an important factor that affects the health of the elderly.
Faivish Pewzner also added that such results contribute to fostering local and national efforts to strengthen the social relationships of older people, many of whom are isolated and lonely. In that direction, Pewzner announced a partnership between Americare and the Jewish Children’s Museum in Brooklyn. This will encourage children to spend more time with their grandparents and bring them together for fun and education.