Yes, we know, there are probably too many national awareness days, but this one piqued our interest because we know that people who are lonely in retirement have a significant risk of dementia with some studies showing as much as a 25-40% increased risk. As we get older, it is more and more important to make sure we have community around us and people that we share our thoughts and feelings with to help mitigate any risk factors.
If you have a best friend, celebrate them today. If you have lots of very good friends, then you are very blessed, and do remember to let them know how much you appreciate them all. If you spend a lot of time alone, or don’t speak to many people in your regular weekly activities and would like to decrease your chances of dementia, do make sure to spend time with other people and help each other combat loneliness.
You can find clubs and events via your local Age UK or equivalent charity, via social prescribers (ask your GP for a connection), or via church and community centres. Often churches run events that don’t have a religious leaning, so if religion isn’t your thing you don’t need to be concerned.