There is growing evidence that loneliness and social isolation are linked to a wide range of negative health outcomes. With an increasing number of people choosing — or finding themselves — to age alone, often called “soloagers,” one alarming association is a roughly 50% higher risk of developing dementia among socially isolated older adults. A new study offers a hopeful finding: pet ownership may help reduce cognitive decline for those aging alone.
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Pet ownership tied to fewer memory issues in soloagers
The 2023 study by researchers at the School of Public Health at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China, published in JAMA Neurology, asked a straightforward question: can owning a pet lessen the link between living alone and accelerated cognitive decline?
The team analyzed data from 7,945 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA), a long-running study of community-dwelling adults in the U.K. aged 50 and older. ELSA has collected repeated measures of health, economic status, and social circumstances since 2002, with participants assessed regularly over time.
To measure cognitive function, participants completed annual tests including immediate and delayed recall of a list of 10 unrelated words and a one-minute verbal fluency task (naming as many animals as possible). These tasks evaluate verbal memory and verbal fluency — key abilities for daily independence in later life.
Over a nine-year follow-up, the researchers compared rates of cognitive decline between pet owners and non-owners. They found that pet ownership was associated with a slower decline in verbal memory and verbal fluency for people living alone. In contrast, among participants who lived with others, pet ownership did not meaningfully change the trajectory of cognitive decline.
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More and more Americans aging alone
The U.S. population is aging as fertility rates fall and life expectancy rises. By 2030 all Baby Boomers will be at least 65, and the U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2034 seniors will outnumber children. That shift means more older adults living solo: divorcees, widows and widowers, people who never had children, or those whose children are absent or deceased.
As the population ages, the implications extend beyond demographics to caregiving capacity, Social Security funding, and the prevalence of soloagers who may lack family support during illness or disability. Loneliness and social isolation are common among older adults living alone and carry significant physical and mental health risks.
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Cognitive decline prevention with four legs
Loneliness and isolation have intensified in recent years, especially following the pandemic. Feeling lonely increases the risk of depression, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and even premature death. Research has also linked living alone and social isolation to a roughly 50% higher chance of cognitive decline and dementia in later life. As solo households grow, memory-related health challenges among older adults are likely to rise.
In that context, the Sun Yat-sen University finding that pet ownership may buffer the association between living alone and declines in verbal memory and verbal fluency is important. Several mechanisms might explain the effect. Pet owners, particularly dog owners, may be more physically active and spend more time outdoors, both of which benefit brain health. Walking a dog or interacting with a pet can foster social contact with neighbors and passersby, reducing isolation. Studies also show that pet interaction can lower blood pressure and reduce cortisol, a stress hormone, while providing companionship that eases loneliness.
For soloagers, a cat, dog, or other companion animal could offer meaningful protection against the cognitive harms of isolation. Many senior living communities now welcome pets, so aging in a community setting does not necessarily mean giving up a beloved companion. While pets are not a cure-all, for older adults facing loneliness, a furry friend may be a practical and emotionally supportive step to help preserve memory and quality of life.