Can pet ownership reduce cognitive decline for older adults? A recent JAMA Neurology article investigates this question, examining the impact of pet ownership on verbal memory and fluency for adults ages 50 and older.
To learn more, check out the ADL's January 15 highlighted article:
Pet Ownership, Living Alone, and Cognitive Decline Among Adults 50 Years and Older
Findings: In this cohort study of 7945 participants 50 years and older, pet ownership was associated with slower rates of decline in verbal memory and verbal fluency among individuals living alone, but not among those living with others. Pet ownership offset the association between living alone and
declining rates of verbal memory and verbal fluency.