2023-11-12 10:34:50
Title: Study Finds Coronavirus Pandemic Has Negative Impact on Cognitive Abilities of Older Adults
By: Juliane Gutmann
Published: November 12, 2023, 9:34 a.m
A recent study has found that the coronavirus pandemic has had a significant negative impact on the thinking performance of older adults, even if they did not contract Covid-19. The study, known as the Protect study, was published in the specialist portal The Lancet Healthy Longevity and examined 3,142 British women and men over the age of 50.
According to the research team led by Professor Anne Corbett from the University of Exeter Medical School, a significant deterioration in executive functions and working memory was observed in the entire cohort in the first year of the pandemic. The cognitive decline of the study participants accelerated by more than 50 percent during the pandemic, highlighting the far-reaching impacts of the crisis on mental health.
The researchers also found that increased mental decline continued in the second year of the pandemic, citing factors such as reduced physical activity, increased alcohol consumption, depression, and loneliness as causes for the decline in cognitive abilities.
The study suggests that neglected physical activity and a healthy diet during the pandemic have significantly increased the risk of dementia for older adults. This finding is particularly concerning as it indicates that even after the pandemic, many people are neglecting a healthy lifestyle, which negatively affects cognitive abilities and the risk of dementia.
The study serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, particularly for older adults, to protect cognitive abilities and reduce the risk of dementia. The findings emphasize the need for increased awareness and support for mental health and well-being among older populations in the wake of the pandemic.
It is important to note that this article contains general information on the respective health topic and is not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment, or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor, and individuals with concerns about their cognitive abilities should seek professional medical guidance.]
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