A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found that experiencing a significant financial shock late in life may be connected to cognitive decline and an increased risk of dementia.
The study, based on data from 8,082 older adults involved in the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study from 1996 to 2020, revealed that a “negative wealth shock” – defined as a loss of over three-quarters of total wealth within a two-year period – was associated with cognitive decline and a higher likelihood of developing dementia.
This study strengthens the existing evidence that factors such as lower socioeconomic status in mid-life may contribute to a higher risk of dementia and dementia-related deaths.
The authors of the study emphasized the importance of implementing government policies and public health strategies to provide financial, social, and psychological support for dementia prevention based on their findings.
The study also suggests that experiencing a negative wealth shock can be classified as a “stressful life-course event,” and that psychological stress may increase the vulnerability of the brain and lead to cognitive impairment.
Furthermore, the results indicate that the link between wealth shocks and incident dementia is stronger for participants under the age of 65, as older individuals are more likely to experience an increase in positive emotions and a reduction in negative emotions, allowing them to cope better with negative events.
While the study’s findings are significant, the authors recognize the need for further research and perspectives to confirm and build upon these results.
