September 9, 2026

How Social Connection May Help Support Brain Health in Older Adults

About Nicole Pajer

Nicole Pajer is a Los Angeles-based freelance published in The New York Times, Woman's Day, AARP, Parade, Wired, Glamour, People and more.

two senior women and a senior man listening to music together

Social isolation and loneliness are increasingly recognized as modifiable risk factors that may influence cognitive health in older adults. While they cannot prevent dementia, identifying socially isolated patients and connecting them with appropriate community resources may help support cognitive function, quality of life and overall well-being.

In clinical practice, what may appear to be typical life changes, such as retirement, the loss of a spouse or close friends, new health challenges and reduced mobility, can gradually narrow an older patient’s world. Over time, these transitions can contribute to a shrinking social network and fewer opportunities for meaningful interaction — two factors that research suggests play an important role in cognitive and emotional health.

While social connection can’t prevent dementia or cognitive decline, studies suggest that it may play a supportive role in maintaining cognitive function and potentially slowing cognitive decline in some older adults. This highlights how assessing a patient’s social connectedness should be part of routine care. For providers, it’s important to consider when a patient may benefit from a more structured, socially engaged living environment. Community-based support can help play a vital role in improving the life of your patient when integrated into their broader care plan.

The link between loneliness and cognitive decline

Studies have repeatedly linked loneliness, social isolation and reduced cognitive function in older adults. Research by the University of California, Davis, which analyzed data from more than 175,000 participants over the age of 50, found that even relatively small increases in feelings of loneliness were linked to a greater likelihood of cognitive decline. A 10% increase in reports of feeling lonely was associated with an approximately 8% to 9% higher risk of developing significant cognitive impairment or progressing from normal cognition to mild impairment.

A 2024 meta-analysis of more than 608,000 participants found that loneliness was associated with a 31% greater risk of dementia. This was even after researchers adjusted for depression, social isolation and other modifiable risk factors.

Health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have flagged social isolation and loneliness as public health concerns, associating them with a higher risk of dementia, heart disease, stroke, depression, anxiety and even premature death. Both loneliness and social isolation have been linked to poorer health outcomes in older adults.

Many older adults are unfortunately feeling the effects. The National Poll on Healthy Aging found that in 2023, 34% of adults ages 50 to 80 reported feeling isolated from others, 37% reported lacking companionship and 33% reported infrequent contact (once a week or less) with people from outside their home.

These findings reinforce the importance of providers incorporating questions about social connectedness into routine assessments, particularly for older adults experiencing significant life transitions, mobility limitations or cognitive changes. By identifying indicators of social isolation and loneliness early, providers can help mitigate their potential negative effects and improve their patient’s quality of life.

Why social engagement may help support brain health

Scientists are still studying the importance of social connection for brain health, but they believe it may help by keeping the brain active and engaged. This is because everyday interactions like chatting with friends, joining a book club or participating in group activities have been shown to challenge memory, language, attention and problem-solving skills.

These activities have also been shown to help build cognitive reserve, the brain's ability to adapt to age-related changes and continue functioning as it ages. In fact, social connection has been officially recognized by the Alzheimer's Association as one of the key lifestyle habits that may support brain health and lower the risk of cognitive decline. The organization notes that frequent social connections may reduce the risk of cognitive decline by up to 70%.

Social engagement may also encourage older patients to engage in other healthy habits that support brain health. Research shows that older adults who regularly connect with others are often more likely to stay physically active, maintain daily routines and participate in meaningful activities that provide a sense of purpose. This suggests that social engagement can be a meaningful, non-pharmacological way to support cognitive health in a care plan.

Signs a patient may be lonely or becoming socially isolated

Loneliness and social isolation are not always apparent during a clinical encounter. Many older adults may not identify themselves as lonely, even if they're spending most of their time alone. And for others, the change happens gradually, as they withdraw more and more from activities or relationships over time without family members or healthcare providers noticing.

Certain patients may be more vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation than others. Patients who live alone, have experienced the loss of a spouse or close friends, are retired or have vision, hearing, mobility or memory challenges may find it harder to maintain regular social connections. Limited or inaccessible transportation, financial challenges, caregiving responsibilities, language barriers and a lack of nearby family or social support can further reduce opportunities for meaningful social engagement.

Questions to consider incorporating into routine visits with patients

Asking patients about their daily routines and social support networks can be a great way to help identify whether they are experiencing loneliness or social isolation, and if community-based intervention may be right for them. Areas to focus on can include asking:

When was the last time they left the house
What they did during the past week
When they last spoke with a friend
Whether they’ve stopped attending activities they once enjoyed
Whether they have any hobbies they participate in
If they have friends or family who live nearby
If they are close with any of their neighbors

These questions can be especially helpful because some older adults may not always recognize or report their own loneliness.

During Brookdale's The Grey Take podcast episode “Our Take on Cognitive Decline and Depression,” we sat down with gerontologist Dr. Christy Phillips to discuss how loneliness and depression can affect dementia risk. In it, she explains how the two conditions often present in overlapping ways, which can make it difficult to tell what's driving a patient's change in behavior. That overlap serves as an important reminder to consider a patient's social environment alongside their cognitive health.

How senior living can help

For patients experiencing increasing social isolation, senior living may serve as one component of a broader care plan aimed at supporting overall health and well-being. From a clinical perspective, reducing barriers to daily social engagement can be an important consideration when evaluating functional status, mood and cognitive risk factors.

Communities can offer structured opportunities for interaction that may be difficult to replicate in a home setting, particularly for people living alone or managing mobility limitations. Shared meals, group activities like hobby groups and fitness classes, educational programs and volunteer opportunities in shared spaces can help support consistent social interaction. These may complement other pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions recommended in your patient’s care plan. Research has found that a stronger sense of purpose is associated with a 28% lower risk of developing cognitive impairment and a nearly 30% lower risk of dementia, with some analyses finding an even greater reduction in dementia risk.

In addition to social engagement, senior living environments often provide predictable routines and access to supportive services that can help reduce day-to-day stressors for patients and caregivers. This structure may be especially relevant for individuals experiencing early cognitive changes, recent loss of a spouse or increased difficulty managing key activities of daily living.

Senior living isn't a treatment for dementia, but when considered alongside medical and functional assessments, senior living options can be a part of a coordinated care approach that aligns with patients’ evolving needs. For providers, these settings may offer a practical referral option when increased support, supervision and opportunities for engagement are needed to help maintain quality of life.

How Brookdale can help

Brookdale partners with healthcare providers by creating supportive environments that complement care plans and promote whole-person well-being, especially for older adults who may be experiencing increasing social isolation. At the heart of our approach is Optimum Life®, Brookdale’s philosophy of helping residents live with purpose, connection and meaning while supporting overall quality of life.

EngagementPlus™ activates the Optimum Life philosophy through intentional, personalized engagement. Rather than simply providing activities, EngagementPlus is rooted in knowing each resident — their interests, abilities, preferences, life experiences, goals and aspirations. From there, we offer meaningful opportunities to connect, contribute, learn and grow.

Our associates serve as Purpose Partners, helping residents explore their passions and discover purpose, while giving them opportunities to pursue interests, share their talents, build friendships and remain active community contributors. Social connections, lifelong learning, physical wellness, creative expression, shared meals and leadership roles are a few of the ways residents may remain connected and find meaning in their daily lives.

EngagementPlus also includes our signature programs, which are designed to help provide consistent and rewarding resident experiences. Our Growing Together program connects like-minded residents over mutual interests and experiences, fostering authentic relationships that help make life richer and each day more fulfilling. Residents can learn from one another, share their talents and build strong bonds with the broader community.

The Brookdale experience is guided by what matters to your patient. Brookdale’s Optimum Life philosophy and EngagementPlus program can offer non-pharmacological support that helps mitigate the negative effects of loneliness and social isolation. By bringing more purpose and connection to your patient’s daily life, we support their overall well-being and help empower them to thrive.

If you have a patient whose health or quality of life may be affected by increasing social isolation, Brookdale can work alongside your care team to help identify the appropriate living options and supportive programs that align with their clinical and personal needs. Learn more about our referral process and contact us today to discuss how we can help support your patient. We look forward to working with you.

_{The above content is shared for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.}

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