DESPITE significant increases in global population along with greater digital connectivity, the world is reportedly getting lonelier, and more socially isolated.
In Australia, approximately one in three people feels lonely some, if not all of the time, up from one in four since before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Older adults and those in regional and remote areas are particularly at risk of social isolation and loneliness, which can lead to serious and complex health complications.
One of the key health risks of poor social connections is dementia, the second leading cause of death in Australia. The World Health Organisation says that loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of developing dementia by a whopping 50%.
To combat this issue, researchers at UNSW Sydney’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) have launched a new online study addressing the role of social engagement in maintaining brain function and wellbeing: Maintaining Social Engagement.
This world-first research, led by social health expert and clinical psychologist Suraj Samtani, aims to provide expert support and activities for people over the age of 55 with memory concerns to stay socially engaged – all via videocalls – and with enormous potential benefits.
“Evidence suggests that being socially active reduces risk of dementia by half,” Dr Samtani said. “This is even after taking into account all other risk factors for dementia.”
One in three Australians over the age of 65 lives in rural and remote areas of Australia. According to the 2023 Ending Loneliness Together Report, 35% of those people are lonely.
Carolyn Monaghan, who lives in Warrnambool, Victoria, 270km from Melbourne, has been participating in the study since March 1, 2024.
“I’ve never participated in research before and I now value social connection more than ever,” Ms Monaghan said.
Dr Samtani said it was important to note the difference between social isolation and loneliness.
“Being socially isolated is the physical state of having less interactions with other people,” he said.
“Loneliness is the emotional state of feeling disconnected from the people around us and feeling the need for more rewarding social connections.”
According to Dr Samtani, the health risks of social isolation and loneliness are comparable to excessive drinking and daily smoking.
“Loneliness is as bad for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day,” he said.
“Being lonely can increase your risk of getting dementia by 26%.”
Conversely, according to the longest happiness study ever conducted, social connectivity can delay the start of physical health conditions by 10-15 years.
The Harvard-led study found that our relationships have a powerful influence on our lives.
CHeBA is seeking people aged 55+ with memory concerns to join the Maintaining Social Engagement Study. Register at https://forms.office.com/r/98m0ZyYJBB
