A study shows how having a pet can be really good for older people who live by themselves. This study looked at almost 8,000 people who were over 50 years old.
The researchers found out that people over 50 who have pets and live alone don’t forget things as quickly as those who don’t have pets.
They were especially good at remembering words. The study had people who were mostly around 66 years old and from Britain. They were watched for eight years. About 35% of these people had pets, and around 30% lived by themselves.
Before this study, other scientists said that living alone might make it easier for older people to start forgetting things or have trouble with their memory. But this new study shows that having a pet, like a dog or a cat, can make them feel less lonely and keep their minds sharp.
The study was published in a big science magazine called JAMA Network.
The scientists wanted to know if having a pet could help older people who live alone keep their minds working well. And they found out that it really does help! People who had pets didn’t forget things as quickly as those who didn’t have any pets.
But, the study also found that having a pet didn’t make a big difference for older people who lived with others. This means that pets are especially helpful for people who live alone.
Professor Ciyong Lu, who was in charge of the study, said these findings are very important.
He thinks that having a pet might be a good way to help older people keep their minds sharp. He wants to do more studies to be sure about this.
In the end, the study shows that pets are not just good for company; they can also help older people remember things better and keep their minds active. This is especially true for those who live by themselves.
The study suggests that having a pet could be a good way to help older people stay healthy and happy.
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