Social connection and health outcomes for older adults living with dementia
Description: Social connection describes how individuals connect to each other, it depends on the existence, roles and qualities of relationships and the sense of connection within these relationships. Poor social connection (e.g. small social networks, infrequent social interactions, lack of meaningful relationships and loneliness) are modifiable risk factors for mitigating cognitive decline. Unfortunately, older adults living with dementia often experience poor social connection as dementia can impair social processes that are responsible for the interpretation of information from faces, recognizing the thoughts and feelings of others, displaying empathy, regulating emotions, and behaving within social norms. In addition, social connection may be further impaired by the lack of understanding and stigma towards individuals with dementia. In a recent report by the National Academy of Sciences (2021), there is a need for research which aims to create a greater understanding of the specific dimensions of social exposures and behaviours (such as social connection) that are relevant to the risk and development of dementia. Therefore this research project aims to understand what aspects of social connection (social network, social engagement, social interaction, social support, social isolation, social connectedness, loneliness) are associated with cognitive decline in older adults living with dementia.
Amount: CA$948
Funding type: fellowship
Funder scheme: Summer Program in Aging
Start date: 2024-03-01
End date: 2025-02-28
Investigator: Madalena Liougas
Institution: University Health Network (Toronto)
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Funded outputs count: 0
Funder award ID: 192956_1
OpenAlex ID: G416227686