UNSW Sydney's Centre for Health Brain Ageing (CHeBA) has launched a new online study to address the role of social engagement in maintaining brain function and wellbeing to combat dementia.
"Evidence suggests that being socially active reduces risk of dementia by half," said social health expert and Clinical Psychologist Dr Suraj Samtani, who is the person leading the research.
"This is even after taking into account all other risk factors for dementia."
Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia and according to Dr Samtani, "loneliness is as bad for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day".
It is important to understand the difference between loneliness and social isolation.
Being socially isolated is the physical state of having less interactions with other people, while loneliness is the emotional state of feeling disconnected from the people around us craving more rewarding social connections.
A Harvard study on happiness found that social connection can delay the start of physical health conditions by 10 to 15 years and that close relationships and friendships are key to maintaining happiness and health.
Meanwhile, one in three Australians aged over 65 live in rural and remote areas, 35% of whom are lonely. CHeBA is currently seeking people aged 55 and over who have memory concerns to join the study.
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