Your Stress Might Be an Overlooked Risk Factor for Developing Dementia Later in Life

The likelihood that an American will develop dementia during their lifetime may be significantly higher than once believed.

A 2025 study that followed a large group of U.S. adults over more than 30 years found that, on average, individuals had a 42% chance of developing dementia between the ages of 55 and 95. This risk was even greater for women, Black adults, and those with genetic predispositions.

As the American population ages, there is growing focus on how to prevent cognitive decline. Yet, one often-overlooked factor in this conversation is the impact of chronic stress on brain health and dementia risk.

Researchers Explore How Chronic Stress Elevates Dementia Risk and Impacts Healthy Aging

As professors at Penn State’s Center for Healthy Aging specializing in health psychology and neuropsychology, we examine how long-term psychological stress can increase dementia risk and influence how well people age.

Recent studies indicate that today’s middle-aged and older adults in the U.S. report more frequent stress than earlier generations. A major contributor to this trend is rising economic and job insecurity, particularly in the aftermath of the 2007–2009 Great Recession and continued changes in the workforce.

Many individuals continue working later in life out of financial need, as increased life expectancy and rising costs make it more difficult to afford basic necessities during retirement.

As a result, understanding how stress affects cognitive aging may be more crucial now than ever before.

While everyone encounters some level of stress in daily life, certain individuals face stress that is more intense, frequent, or long-lasting. This type of chronic stress is most strongly associated with negative health outcomes.

In a recent review paper, our team highlighted how chronic stress plays a hidden yet significant role in cognitive aging—that is, how quickly mental performance declines over time.

How Stress Deeply Shapes Cognitive Health Through Interconnected Mind-Body Responses

The influence of stress on cognitive health in later life is profound. That’s partly because psychological, behavioral, and biological responses to everyday stress are deeply interconnected and can reinforce one another.

For example, living alone—especially for older adults—can be a source of ongoing stress. Social isolation also makes it harder to maintain a healthy lifestyle or recognize and respond to early signs of cognitive decline.

Additionally, stressful experiences and how people respond to them can disrupt sleep and reduce engagement in health-promoting behaviors such as regular physical activity and nutritious eating. Poor sleep and lack of exercise, in turn, can reduce resilience to future stress.

The encouraging news is that there are many ways to help slow or prevent dementia, and our review indicates that these strategies can be even more effective when the impact of stress is taken into account.

Practical Ways to Manage Stress for Better Brain Health

No matter your age—whether you’re young, middle-aged, or older—it’s never too early or too late to consider how stress affects brain health and aging. Here are some practical steps you can take to better manage stress:

• Adopt healthy lifestyle habits that support aging well, such as eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, and getting sufficient sleep. Even modest improvements in these areas can have a significant impact.
• Make mental health a priority whenever possible. Simple actions like sharing your concerns with others, seeking support from loved ones, or spending time outdoors can be highly beneficial.
• Talk to your doctor if you’re advised to follow a new health plan or if there are signs of cognitive issues. Ask what resources or recommendations they have for managing related stress.
• Address social isolation, either for yourself or someone you care about. Small changes—like one extra daily interaction, a quick message, or a short conversation with someone in your community—can make a meaningful difference.

Read the original article on: Science Alert

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