Social Connections and Alzheimer's Disease
Author Information
Author(s): Hamilton Lucas, Perry Brea
Primary Institution: Augustana University, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States; Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States
Hypothesis
How do social network overlaps affect older adults with and without Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers?
Conclusion
More overlap in social networks is linked to worse cognitive outcomes for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and increased loneliness for their caregivers.
Supporting Evidence
- Family members and individuals offering psychosocial support were significantly more likely to be shared ties.
- Instrumental support was more likely to be shared ties only in the networks of ADRD informants.
- More network overlap was associated with worse general cognition and episodic memory among ADRD focals.
- Higher overlap was associated with greater loneliness in ADRD informants.
Takeaway
Having the same friends and family can make it harder for people with Alzheimer's to think clearly and can make their caregivers feel lonely.
Methodology
Data from 124 dyads were analyzed using multilevel logistic regression to examine social network characteristics.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 73 cognitively normal individuals and 51 with ADRD-related cognitive impairment.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p <.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website