Social isolation increases the risk of dementia by 50 percent in the elderly

Psychiatry Specialist Assistant Professor Dr. Müge Yaşar stated that loneliness and social isolation directly threaten the physical and neurocognitive health of elderly individuals, drawing attention to the fact that the risk of dementia increases by approximately 50 percent.

Assistant Professor Dr. Müge Yaşar emphasized that living alone physically and emotional and social processes are distinct concepts from one another. Stating that elderly individuals with a strong social network, mental pursuits, and physical activity are able to protect their health, Yaşar expressed that the loss of a spouse, retirement, and illnesses narrow the social circle and lead to social isolation.

According to research, a lack of social connection and chronic isolation carry a risk of premature death equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. A meta-analysis covering 86 studies published in 2025 in the journal Aging Clinical and Experimental Research revealed that social isolation increases the risk of all-cause mortality by 35 percent. Furthermore, medical literature shows that a lack of social connection increases the risk of heart disease by 29 percent and the risk of stroke by 32 percent.

Stating that a lack of social interaction causes neural networks in the brain not to be sufficiently stimulated, Dr. Yaşar noted that chronic loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of developing dementia in the elderly by approximately 50 percent. Conveying that forgetfulness and cognitive decline in elderly individuals living alone are noticed later due to the absence of a second observer at home, Yaşar reported that severe depression can lead to mental slowing, creating a condition known as "Pseudodementia."

According to TURKSTAT Address Based Population Registration System data, 14.3 percent of elderly individuals living alone do not have a child residing in the same province. Emphasizing that remote monitoring is essential for families in this situation, Yaşar highlighted that situations such as returning calls late, refusing to go out, cutting conversations short, dullness in the tone of voice, and the neglect of personal hygiene are important red lines.