Volunteering Late in Life May Protect the Brain
Volunteering in Late Life May Protect the Brain
The Alzheimer’s Association recently hosted their international conference and announced some exciting new research on volunteering and brain health. Charlotte’s local chapter, the Alzheimer's Association - Western Carolina Chapter, shared this breaking research with us.
It turns out that volunteering later in life may help protect your brain.
A new study of nearly 2,500 ethnically and racially diverse U.S. older adults found better memory and executive function among those who volunteered in the past year. The researchers found that volunteering was associated with better baseline scores on tests of executive function and verbal episodic memory.
Those who volunteered several times per week had the highest levels of executive function.
"I think we've all known the way volunteering makes us feel in our heart," says Katherine L. Lambert, CEO of the Alzheimer's Association - Western Carolina Chapter. "Now we know it may also benefit our own health - specifically cognitive function. We encourage everyone - especially older adults - to consider giving back as one way to stay healthy longer."
Volunteer activities, such as supporting educational, religious, health-related or other charitable organizations, provide a means for older adults to be more physically active, increase social interaction, and provide cognitive stimulation that may protect the brain.
Volunteering also contains elements of activity, altruism, socialization and overall positivity about personal contributions that could lead to better overall health and mental health.
“We hope these new data encourage individuals of all ages and backgrounds to engage in local volunteering — not only to benefit their communities, but potentially their own cognitive and brain health.”
Get Volunteering!
Check out Alzheimer’s Association - Western Carolina Chapter’s volunteer opportunities such as…
- Community Representative
- Support Group Facilitator
- Faith Outreach Representative
- Congressional Team Member
- And more…here!
The Western Carolina Chapter also has some upcoming events! Learn more here…
- Iredell County Walk to End Alzheimer’s - Saturday, September 23rd
- Gaston/Cleveland/Lincoln Walk to End Alzheimer’s - Saturday, October 14th
- Charlotte Walk to End Alzheimer’s - Saturday, October 21st
- Rowan-Cabarrus Walk to End Alzheimer’s - Saturday, October 28th
Looking for other opportunities to volunteer in Charlotte? Download this volunteer guide to see nonprofits that are looking to connect with you now!
Building a better Charlotte by EMPOWERING NONPROFITS AND HELPING PEOPLE invest in their communities in ways that matter most to them.