Social isolation linked to an increased risk of dementia, new study finds

Older people who have few social connections and interactions are at a higher risk for developing dementia, a new study has found. (Charles Dharapak/Charles Dharapak via AP)

Socially isolated older adults have a 27% higher chance of developing dementia than older adults who aren't, a new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found.

"Social connections matter for our cognitive health, and it is potentially easily modifiable for older adults without the use of medication," Dr. Thomas Cudjoe, an assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins and a senior author of the study, said in a news release.