Abstract
We examined whether volunteering among older adults with cognitive impairments serves as a transitional role that can enhance these older persons' well-being and cognitive health. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, we selected older adults with cognitive impairments (N = 472) and developed linear mixed models to assess associations between volunteering and health outcomes. Volunteers in our sample were mostly females, non-Hispanic whites, those with higher income, and those with a high-school diploma. Volunteering was associated with higher levels of self-rated health, and consistent participation in volunteer work was related to stronger feelings of purpose in life. Cognitive health slightly improved over time only among those who volunteered. We demonstrate that cognitive impaired older adults' participation in the volunteer role can benefit cognitive health while strengthening their late life resilience.
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Schedule a callMore From: Journal of applied gerontology : the official journal of the Southern Gerontological Society
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