Memory loss comes with aging, and this alone can give out devastating effects on the individual, especially those among the older set. In a recent study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, the researchers found evidence that older people with an active social life can slow down the rate of their memory decline. According to postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Society, Karen Ertel, they hope that this study adds to and advances our growing understanding of the important role that social forces play in shaping good health.

From the previous studies, an active social life can reduce the risks for having dementia and cognitive decline among the elderly. Memory loss is a strong risk factor when dementia develops, a syndrome that affects up to 10% of the population aged 65 and older. The researchers of this study wanted to test and see if memory loss might also be linked with social connectedness.

Ertel and her fellow researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health, together with Lisa Berkman and Maria Glymour of the Department of Society, Human Development and Health, used the information gathered starting from 1998 up to 2004 from the Health and Retirement Study, a large, nationally representative population of the US adults 50 years and older. Memory was analyzed during the years of 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004 by reading a list of ten common nouns in order to survey the respondents, and then ask them to recall as much as possible immediately, and after a five minute delay. Social integration was assessed depending on the marital status, volunteer activities, and personal contacts with parents, children, and neighbors.

Results showed that those with the highest social integration had the slowest decline of memory rate from 1998 up to 2004. All in all, the researchers found that the protective effect of social integration was largest among those with fewer than 12 years of education. Adding to this, the researchers found no linking evidence that the results was because of reverse causation (poor memory or decline of memory causing social withdrawal).

According to Berkman, social participation really has a huge effect on the health and well being of a person during their entire life. They have enough data from their previous studies to prove that people with a lot of social connections have lower mortality rates. In addition, they now have evidence that strong social ties can help in preventing the decline of one’s memory. As our society ages and older people are present, it will be crucial to promote social engagements and community life in order to maintain their health and well being.

Since memory loss and dementia is considered a public health burden among the elderly population, the results of this study suggests that an increase in social activity may help in slowing down the memory decline among the older citizens, and could also help lessen this public health concern, mainly because the aging population is expected to grow. From this study, we can say that future research could indeed help in identifying specific aspects of social integration most critical in preserving one’s memory.