Millions of Seniors Live Alone with Dementia

A new study led by sociologist Elena Portacolone reveals that over 4.3 million older adults in the U.S. live alone with cognitive impairment, often without adequate support, placing them at risk of severe daily challenges. Many of these individuals, primarily older women and disproportionately from Black or Latino backgrounds, struggle with daily activities but only 1 in 3 receive any assistance. This population tends to be overlooked by a healthcare system that assumes the presence of family caregivers. Concurrently, research from the SCD-Well trial indicates that mindfulness and health self-management programs could effectively reduce dementia risks among older adults experiencing subjective cognitive decline. Despite increasing life expectancies among baby boomers, new findings show that this demographic faces a higher burden of chronic diseases and disabilities compared to previous generations. The need for a shift towards basic disease prevention practices is emphasized to address these growing health concerns.