Having a sense of purpose is one key to a happy life. It also might protect you from being diagnosed with dementia.
Those who say they feel more purpose are around 28% less likely to develop cognitive impairment, including mild cognitive impairment and dementia, according to a University of California, Davis study that followed over 13,000 adults age 45 and older for up to 15 years.
The participants had normal cognitive health at the start of the study, and researchers tracked their cognitive health every two years by a phone test.
The study results were published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
The researchers note that the apparent protective effect of having more purpose was seen in all racial and ethnic groups and was present even after accounting for education, depression and the gene known as APOE4, which has been linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
In a summary of the study findings, Aliza Wingo — senior author and professor at the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences — says:
“Our findings show that having a sense of purpose helps the brain stay resilient with age. Even for people with a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease, sense of purpose was linked to a later onset and lower likelihood of developing dementia.”
The study also found that those who have a higher purpose tend to experience cognitive decline about 1.4 months later than those who feel less purpose. The researchers acknowledge that this is a modest improvement but also note in the summary that it is “meaningful when compared to current treatments.”
This is not the first time a sense of purpose has been linked to better health. Research into why people live longer in certain parts of the world known as “blue zones” has found that having a sense of purpose might help extend lives.
The researchers did not ask study participants to explain which activities helped them to feel a greater sense of purpose. However, previous research has found that many different types of activities fill older adults with more purpose. They include:
- Maintaining strong relationships
- Continuing to work or volunteering
- Having a strong sense of spirituality or faith
- Setting personal goals
- Helping others
The researchers emphasize that although there was an association, the study did not actually prove higher levels of purpose caused the lowered rates of dementia.
Nevertheless, they hope future studies will look more deeply into whether purpose-building interventions can prevent dementia.
As Thomas Wingo — a co-author of the study and a professor and neurologist at UC Davis Health — says in the summary:
“What’s exciting about this study is that people may be able to ‘think’ themselves into better health. Purpose in life is something we can nurture. It’s never too early — or too late — to start thinking about what gives your life meaning.”
Find out more about how you can prevent cognitive health decline in “It May Not Take Much Exercise to Slash Your Dementia Risk by 60% — or More.”
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