Already the dementia diagnosis makes lonelier
Early detection of Alzheimer's is important and sensible from a medical point of view. But what does the diagnosis do to the psyche? It can lead to social isolation, regardless of mental deterioration.
From a medical point of view, it is particularly important to detect dementia as early as possible, because this makes treatment easier. However, learning that one is suffering from an incurable disease and that one's memories will increasingly fade places a heavy burden on those affected. A research group at Rutgers University in the U.S. has now discovered that patients with Alzheimer's disease reduce their social activities as a result of the diagnosis.
The researchers led by Takashi Amano analyzed data from a representative U.S. longitudinal study that followed married couples from the age of 51. People who had received a dementia diagnosis in 2014 were compared with those without such a diagnosis. In the process, the researchers determined the social relationships of both groups after two years.
Ensuring that quality of life is maintained despite Alzheimer's disease
A statistical trick helped them to factor out differences that were due to cognitive impairment. They thus found that the disease findings in themselves already made people more lonely. For example, those with the disease attended fewer sporting events and did not use the phone as often as the control group. The health experts recommend that these psychological consequences be taken into account at the time of diagnosis and that patients be supported from the outset.
"Interpersonal relationships are an essential feature of our quality of life and can mitigate cognitive decline," co-author Addam Reynolds says in the study press release. "Since there is no cure for these diseases, we need to focus on how people can maintain or improve their quality of life after diagnosis."
Spectrum of Science
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