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Link between feelings of loneliness and dementia?

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    Dr. Ablow weighs in on new study

  • Duration 3:13
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There's a fascinating new study out on dementia and who is more likely to develop memory loss.

A Dutch study finds that older adults who feel lonely regardless of how many friends and family surround them.

Are more likely to experience memory problems and other symptoms of dementia.

Let's bring in psychiatrist doctor -- -- a member of the Fox News medical -- team.

We have to distinguish first of all between being alone and feelings of loneliness these -- people who said they felt lonely.

And they are what 64%.

More likely to develop dementia according to this study.

Well.

You know you got to take a fine tooth comb to this study.

This study does say after looking at a couple thousand people in the Netherlands over 65 who didn't have full blown dementia by any means when the study started.

That there's a 64% higher risk for those who say I feel lonely at the beginning of the study even.

If they're living with their families the feeling of loneliness seem to be associated with them later years later developing dementia.

The trouble is the participants in the state that the people we structured this admit we don't know whether these feelings were an early sign of dementia.

So we don't know whether loneliness causes dementia or is early dementia.

Defined by loneliness right -- feelings of loneliness because people who are experiencing dementia might be embarrassed at forgetting names or forgetting birthdays that sort of thing they might limit their social contacts.

And start feeling lonely as a result.

Or or they might just feel lonely they may they may be a little depressed for instance and say you know people don't seem to like me I feel quite isolated.

But is that depression is that dementia is it really that being lonely -- feeling lonely is what causes dementia this study doesn't establish that.

But it does -- at the possibility.

That feeling lonely could deprive people of well being and even memory and even.

Be associated with dementia that argues for of tools like for instance Skype.

Can Skype help these people can online forums help them.

We should certainly learn from this to be much more involved if we can be with our loved ones because those who feel lonely may -- at an increased risk for demand.

Should I have seen it in my own family and it is the saddest thing when a person who is otherwise perfectly healthy simply doesn't have the mind that they use to.

Some quick tips on how all people can prevent help prevent.

Dementia if possible.

Well look at I think number one think about it Skype's a pretty easy technology.

You can reach out to loved ones and your family via Skype it is.

Personality.

And driven it does engage people secondly pats I think -- -- way under utilized nineteen people's lives transformed by a dog or cat.

Thirdly there's so much expertise in older folks right now people trying to start businesses in the rest.

Reach out to somebody and say look you know what we can't even pay you but if you will -- come -- and advise us on our start -- we'd love to see you there and hour week that's a new life for some of these people.

Great advice doctor -- tableau thanks very much.

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