The Impact of Religion on Dementia – Conversations to Remember

Religion is defined as a shared, group-centered practice around a belief in a higher power, and can be classified as monotheism, polytheism, animism, totemism, or atheism. The relationship with a spiritual being has been credited for helping religious people answer questions about the natural world and beyond, receive guidance in navigating moral dilemmas, and find meaning in all aspects of life. Religion, by extension, can provide a physical community for support. While the effects of religion and spirituality are often measured as a single entity, it is important to note that religion is distinct from spirituality. In contrast to religion, spirituality describes the connection an individual feels with a phenomenon greater than themselves, rather than through an organized congregation.

According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center across 26 countries, religiously active individuals were more likely to report higher perceived levels of happiness compared to religiously inactive or unaffiliated individuals. For example, in the United States, 36% of religiously active individuals described themselves as “very happy,” while only 25% of inactive and unaffiliated individuals shared the same outlook. The study suggests that social capital, derived from close bonds formed within a religious group, is a primary contributing factor to happiness ratings. Furthermore, individuals active within a religious congregation are more likely to participate in community events, such as volunteering, and vote in national elections to increase their civil engagement. They are also less likely to smoke and drink, which may account for decreased reports of cardiovascular and lung disease among religious individuals compared to other groups. Despite these encouraging results, religious individuals did not have an overall improved health measurement.

Given the diversity of religions around the world and people’s perceptions toward them, it is important for clinicians to provide culturally appropriate care to improve their patient’s quality of care and health outcomes. A physician should keep in mind that individuals are more likely to revert to their religious beliefs when making long-term decisions about their health, which can limit possible treatment modalities and prescribed diets. Therefore, with an understanding of their patient’s needs, medical practitioners can tailor their practices to allow for better communication and trust.

Dementia, a condition that typically manifests in older individuals, poses a health issue with a person’s decision-making abilities and overall health. This is due to the gradual neurophysiological deficits associated with the condition. Eventually, it can result in major alterations in a person’s identity. Consequently, usual social relationships are disrupted, which can create an additional burden on family members, friends, and caregivers who must act as the individual’s proxy. Such a position may cause family members to doubt, or even resent, the role of a higher being who allows human suffering.

Nevertheless, various studies have found that both religion and spirituality have a protective influence on cognitive health and other age-related disorders. Practicing a faith allows individuals to maintain social interactions, find coping strategies, and remain hopeful. These aspects of religion create a lasting sense of belonging and enhance well-being, which helps to mitigate stress, anxiety, and depression; these are all disorders that are comorbid with dementia. Regular participation in activities associated with religiosity, such as daily prayer, attendance at services, and community meals, helps provide a buffer against cognitive decline with the continued use of the brain and executive functioning. Scientists hypothesize these activities associated with religion are beneficial because such practices can lower stress hormone levels and slow the decline of telomeres in individuals who are genetically predisposed to dementia.

One gap present in the literature is that there are no standardized definitions for cognition, religiosity, or quality of life. Given the subjective nature of these factors, the measurement is up to the researcher and is not normalized between studies. Also, the participants’ environments are not controlled, which makes it hard to infer causality. In other words, researchers cannot conclude that religion solely contributed to the aforementioned benefits, without considering other coping strategies an individual might employ. Consequently, it may be best to utilize correlational designs to further study the mechanisms of the brain to solidify findings.

Overall, faith groups can be an excellent outlet for individuals living with dementia to connect and support one another. Organizations such as Alzheimer’s Society have started to hold faith conferences for people of various affiliations to better understand how belief can be an important link between identity and dementia. Even if an individual living with dementia is not religious, there are still many ways for their loved ones to support them. The mere presence of others, and welcoming conversations, can create a safe space for individuals with dementia to make sense of their changing world. Likewise, knowing that cognitive decline can be slowed with continued brain use and that emotional memory is the last to diminish, caregivers should encourage their patients to use familiar objects and activities to improve their well-being.

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