Elderly people experiencing loneliness are at a higher risk of developing dementia, a study from University NSW (UNSW) Sydney's Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) revealed. 

Thirty-five percent of people aged over 65 living in rural and remote areas in Australia reported feeling lonely, according to the Ending Loneliness Report 2023.

Clinical Psychologist and Social Health Expert Dr Suraj Samtani is the lead researcher in the study. “Evidence suggests that being socially active reduces risk of dementia by half,” Dr Samtani said. 

During the Covid pandemic many programs and clubs that engaged the elderly community in regional and rural areas, closed and never reopened.

“I worry about people who withdrew during the pandemic for various reasons and now remain isolated,” Dr Samtani said.

 Dr Suraj Samtani Photo: UNSW

Increasing social engagement is something we can work on to decrease risk of dementia. 

“Interacting with friends and family at least monthly and having a confidante, someone you trust, is a critical factor in reducing dementia risk,” Dr Samtani said.

“Social connection for us is a basic human need, just like food and water.”

Joining local clubs like the Rotary and Lions Club can also keep elderly residents feeling connected with their community.

Volunteer organisations like Meals on Wheels encourage elderly residents to attend social events. 

The Coonamble branch for example gives their clients vouchers for restaurants so they can enjoy a meal outside of the house and organises a Christmas dinner for their clients and volunteers. 

Engaging with other people online can be another way for seniors in rural and regional areas to fight loneliness.

"Online interactions are slightly less powerful than in-person activities in reducing dementia risk, but can still be effective," Dr Samtani said. 

 While there are aspects of living in regional and rural areas that can contribute to dementia, there are also mitigating factors. 

"Some areas are less at risk of loneliness because they have a tight-knit community," Dr Samtani said. 

"It changes from community to community but in a lot of cases, there isn't a dementia-friendly group available for people to go to. 

"That’s why we’re doing an online study to explore the power of social connections in keeping our brains healthy."

The Maintaining Social Engagement is open to people aged above 55 living anywhere in Australia. People join online group sessions over Zoom, do activities, and have discussions.

"We hope that the social interactions help us to keep our brains healthy and increase our happiness," Dr Samtani said.

You can express your interest in the University of New South Wales study Maintaining Social Engagement here: https://forms.office.com/r/98m0ZyYJBB