The research team found those living with a partner in mid-life had a 50 per cent lower risk of having dementia in late-life compared to those living
alone.
This remained the case even after adjustments were made for factors linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer's, including education, obesity, cholesterol,
blood pressure, occupation, physical activity, smoking habits, depression, genes, age and gender.
The researchers found people who had been single all their life had a doubled risk of dementia.
Divorcees who remained single after a marriage split in mid-life had a tripled risk.
Most dramatically, those who lost a partner before mid-life and remained alone had a six times higher risk of developing dementia compared with those
married throughout mid and late life. |