A new research case study showcasing what longitudinal population studies can tell us about the link between pet ownership and cognitive decline in older adults has been added to the CLOSER Learning Hub.
To coincide with National Pet Day, our new case study examines longitudinal research on Pet ownership, living alone and cognitive decline among older adults.
Researchers based at Sun Yat-sen University in China used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) to explore the topic. The research assessed cognitive function over time and investigated the association between pet ownership and cognitive decline among adults aged 50 and older, with a specific focus on individuals who lived alone.
The research found that for older adults living alone owning a pet is associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline in verbal memory, verbal fluency, and composite verbal cognition.
The findings suggest that promoting pet ownership, especially among older adults living alone, could be considered as a public health intervention to mitigate cognitive decline.
About CLOSER’s Learning Hub
Our Learning Hub is a free, online educational resource which helps those new to longitudinal population studies – including students, researchers and policymakers – better understand the value of these studies and how to use them.
In addition to research case studies, the Learning Hub contains learning modules, teaching datasets, interactive quizzes and animations which all combine to build and enhance users’ knowledge of longitudinal population studies and the wealth of data they provide.
- Explore all the available research case studies
- Watch the ‘Getting started’ Learning Hub animations
- Discover more on the Learning Hub
National Pet Day
National Pet Day was established in 2006 by Colleen Paige to highlight the benefits of pet ownership and the number of animals in shelters and rescues, who do not have a home.