Interaction Has Powerful Brain Health Benefits Learn to support loved ones with dementia Teepa Snow
Social connections, social purpose and social support are three critical factors for living a life with satisfaction when dementia is part of living. Studies have shown that people who live with dementia, and yet stay engaged, will have a higher quality of life, with fewer emergency health events. Why is social interaction and engagement with a purpose so vital to humans? When we socialize, our brains get really active, they work hard. It’s like exercise for the brain. Positive social engagement produces hormones and chemicals that are essential to our wellbeing and survival. Endorphin, dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin are powerful chemicals that keep us going. The lack of these chemicals can result in failure to thrive, loss of interest in survival and possibly the production of adrenaline and cortisol to compensate. Cortisol, a stress hormone that is produced when we feel threatened, also creates significant health risks associated with it when it is released too often and too long, including an ever-changing, brain-altering condition like dementia. Therefore, social and physical engagement in life plays a key role in sustaining wellbeing when dementia is part of life. People who are socially isolated are more likely to develop symptoms of dementia than those who stay socially active and involved in purpose-filled lives.
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