According to a new study, losing a spouse may impede dementia for certain senior citizens.
Widowhood has often been linked to the onset of numerous health problems, but researchers have recently discovered that dementia is not one of them.
The study, which was conducted by researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, found that widowed men and women often receive more outside support and attention. This, according to study’s researchers, is one of the main reasons why widowhood may indeed slow down the growth of dementia for some seniors.
Brain functioning was also reviewed to be much different in seniors who had lost a spouse. During the study, widowed seniors progressed to full blown dementia nearly a decade later than seniors who still had their spouse living.
Dr. Bryan Woodruff, the key researcher behind the study, will present his discovered relationship between dementia and widowhood at the upcoming international conference of the Alzheimer’s Association in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Woodruff’s research also found that there was no rise in the possibility of dementia for patients who were mentally sharp at the beginning of study and later lost their spouse.
Genetic predisposition for dementia and other factors that might increase the risk for dementia were also taken into consideration with the study.
Although research and findings for this study were thoroughly reviewed, any findings are deemed preliminary until they have been published after the conference in peer-review journals.
Woodruff reiterated that the study’s main findings still remain that families need to provide constant support for a loved one suffering from dementia, and if memory problems do surface in a loved one it is always imperative to get help sooner rather than later.
Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, affects more than 5-million Americans, says the Alzheimer’s Association. Memory problems, confusion, and difficulties with every-day life are the most common problems associated with the brain disease. Mild cognitive impairments, often stemming from slight memory and thinking problems, can progress into Alzheimer’s.
Woodruff said the reason for him diving into dementia and widowhood was that the brain disease is often linked to other problems such as depression, so he wanted to learn about the link with dementia.
In the study, Woodruff analyzed 3,800 men and women who were beginning to display minor brain decline. Divorcees and those who were separated were excluded from the study.
The conclusive results found that those who lost a spouse progressed to full blown dementia at about the average age of 92. Whereas those who did not lose a spouse, reached the stage of full blown dementia at 83, nearly a 10 year difference.
