Helping Others Slows Cognitive Decline in Older Adults, Study Finds
Frequent helping behaviors slow cognitive decline by 15%-20% in middle-aged and older adults.
Why it matters
- Helping others significantly slows cognitive decline in older adults.
- Benefits are seen with just 2-4 hours of helping per week.
By the numbers
- Study involved over 30,000 U.S. adults.
- Cognitive decline reduced by 15%-20%.
- Benefits seen with 2-4 hours of helping weekly.
The big picture
- Both formal volunteering and informal helping have similar cognitive benefits.
- Findings highlight the importance of social engagement for cognitive health.
What they're saying
- Study leader Sae Hwang Han notes the lasting cognitive impact of helping behaviors.
- Informal helping provides benefits comparable to formal volunteering.
Caveats
- Study is observational; causation not proven.
- Data controlled for health, wealth, and education, but other factors may play a role.
What’s next
- Further research on mechanisms behind these cognitive benefits.
- Potential public health initiatives to encourage helping behaviors.