Seniors with a spouse with dementia are twice as likely to develop dementia as those who do not have a spouse, a study has found.



It was analyzed that the reason for this is that they share factors that can increase the risk of dementia while living together, and that their spouse's dementia reduces physical activity and deepens depression.



From 2010 to 2020, a research team led by Professor Kiwoong Kim of the Department of Psychiatry at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital studied 784 Korean couples over the age of 60 who participated in the 'Korean Longitudinal Study Cognitive Aging and Dementia (KLOSCAD). It was announced today (11th) that this fact was confirmed by follow-up every two years.



About 40% of the causes of dementia are deafness, education level, smoking, depression, social isolation, traumatic brain injury, physical activity, high blood pressure, living environment (air pollution), obesity, excessive drinking, diabetes, etc. 12 factors that can be controlled by humans The explanation of the research team is that it is composed of



In this study, the researchers followed up 11 controllable risk factors for dementia, excluding air pollution, every two years.



As a result, older adults whose spouses had dementia were about twice as likely to develop dementia as those who did not.



Dementia patients have a marked decline in mental abilities such as intelligence, will, and memory, so it is often difficult to lead a normal life.



Therefore, for dementia patients who have a spouse, the spouse is with them for most of their daily life and assists the dementia patient.



The couples in the study shared some dementia risk factors, such as education level, physical activity, smoking, traumatic brain injury, and depression.



In particular, it has been found that if a spouse has dementia, physical inactivity and depression increase the risk of developing dementia.



Decreased physical activity and depression in old age are considered to be the major risk factors for dementia.



Professor Kim said, "It is necessary to prepare an appropriate education program on the factors that cause dementia for both the dementia patient and their spouse at the treatment site or dementia safety center."



(Photo = Pixar Bay)