The 18-year study shows older adults who were widowed, divorced, or never married had a lower risk of developing dementia
An 18-year study of 24,000 Americans aged 50+ has found that older adults who were widowed, divorced, or never married had a lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who were married.
The finding challenges a long-held belief that being married helps protect your brain. It also goes against past research linking marriage to better heart health, longer life, and even reduced dementia risk.
The National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center researchers suggest marriage can also bring stress, caregiving burdens, and smaller social networks—all potential brain health risks.
Dementia signs begin showing nearly 20 years before the symptoms appear, say health experts. They advise that people in the 40 to 60 age group can keep it at bay with brain-boosting habits like learning, playing and cross-training workouts.