Marital status
The new study also found that the marital status of “widowed” was strongly associated with dementia. Previously, research has provided similar findings on older adults who are single or have lost a spouse.
Andrew Sommerlad, a psychiatrist at the University College London in England, stated that the lower risk was not a direct effect of wearing a wedding ring. He referred to something known as “a possible protective effect” linked to various lifestyle factors that may accompany marriage, such as lower chances of loneliness, a generally healthier lifestyle, having more social stimulation, etc.
Sleep
Those who experienced less sleep at mid-life may also be more likely to develop dementia. A study from 2017 found that people took longer than 90 minutes to enter REM (the fifth stage of sleep) were at high risk for developing dementia.
Though it is known that poor sleep can contribute to cognitive decline, the mechanisms underlying this association have not been firmly established. What is clear is that treating sleep disorders, establishing a routine, and learning to prioritize good quality of sleep is highly recommended earlier in life to avoid short-term and long-term health problems.
