Volunteering doesn't just improve your mood, it also boosts brain-power and strengthens your body

By Camille Noe Pagan

Suzanne Casey used to think that getting older would be, well, boring. Her kids were out of the house, her husband had passed away, and Casey was left wondering how the rest of her life would unfold. "People always mentioned sitting around playing bridge when you're of a certain age," says the 60-year-old Downingtown, PA, resident, laughing. But Casey's view changed 4 years ago when her older sister encouraged her to volunteer at a health clinic as a nurse's aide.

Within a few weeks of taking patient histories and reading vital signs, she was hooked. "I felt like I'd found a new purpose," she recalls. "I had always been interested in a career in medicine, but when I was younger I couldn't afford the schooling." Now, 40 years later, Casey is pursuing her dream in more ways than one. She applied--and was accepted--to nursing school, and she currently juggles classes and volunteering 5 days a week.

"I wake up with a smile on my face because every day is a new possibility," she says. What's more, her blood pressure has gone down drastically, and her heart has never been healthier.

Research suggests that the 65.4 million Americans who volunteer--42% of whom are over age 55--are garnering similar feel-good benefits. "Volunteering keeps people mentally active; it keeps their weight in check, their heart healthy, and their memory sharp," says Sharon Brangman, MD, chief of geriatrics at the SUNY Upstate Medical University at Syracuse. "Essentially, it's a drug-free way to keep you feeling young." Here are all the ways helping others will help you.

Get in shape: "I have knee trouble, so traditional workouts aren't an option," says Jane Strauss, 70, a literacy and nursing home volunteer in Nelson County, VA. "But when I'm volunteering, I'm always moving around. It's exercise--I just never think of it that way." Whether volunteers consider their activity a workout or not, they're still reaping the rewards.

For instance, a new Johns Hopkins University study found that adults age 59 and older doubled the amount of calories they burned after volunteering in elementary school classrooms at least 15 hours a week for a year. "This in turn will reduce their risk of weight gain and obesity-related conditions," explains study author Erwin Tan, PhD. Notably, the benefits didn't stop at school.

Study participants were better able to do housework, gardening, and other everyday tasks. "The increase in activity also translated into more muscle strength, which is crucial for staying mobile into older age," Tan notes.

(Posted December 2006)Stay happy: After 8 years of volunteering, seniors had significantly lower risk of depression compared with those who never lent a hand, according to a 1,200-person study from the University of Texas at Austin and Duke University. And earlier research from East Carolina University noted that elderly volunteers reported more satisfaction with their lives as a result of lending a hand.
"Since many retirees feel that they lack direction, volunteering can give them a renewed sense of purpose," explains Charles Garfield, PhD, a clinical professor of psychology at the University of California, San Francisco. "Plus, you're helping others, which can make you feel good about yourself and promote feelings of accomplishment."

Build brainpower: Another Johns Hopkins study of volunteers age 59 and older found that those who donated their time for 9 months were actually more likely to pursue brain-building activities such as crosswords at home, in addition to their on-the-job tasks.

And according to a 2002 report, the extra brain work can have serious benefits: Older adults who engaged in these behaviors had a 47% lower chance of developing Alzheimer's disease. "Volunteering gives you the chance to use your brain and try new things, which creates new neurological pathways," Brangman explains.

"This can slow down, and in some cases may prevent, memory loss and other cognitive problems." Faye Miller, 68, a museum and hospital volunteer in Columbia, SC, isn't surprised. "I feel smarter," she says. Miller started volunteering 5 years ago. "It's intellectually stimulating. I'm around interesting, engaging people, and I learn something new each time I volunteer."

Feel younger--and live longer: "I've been volunteering with a hospital for 7 years, and in that time, my arthritis hasn't bothered me nearly as much as it used to," says 81-year-old Betty Familiare of Ocean City, NJ. "It's hard to focus on aches and pains when you're busy." Researchers found that 40% of baby boomers and seniors who volunteered as primary school tutors or mentors decreased their use of canes by 50% after just 8 months.

Brangman believes that charity work may help keep other ills at bay, too: "Future research will focus on whether volunteering can reduce your risk of chronic conditions aggravated by stress, such as headaches and stomach problems." The results may help explain why several studies, including a 2005 report from Stanford University, have found that people who volunteer live longer than those who don't.

Pick the perfect gig

Look for excitement: You're more likely to stick with your commitment if it centers on something you enjoy or want to learn more about, says Julia Siebel, PhD, director of volunteer services at Children's Hospital of Orange County in California.

Step out of your comfort zone: "Organizations don't necessarily need experts, they need people who really want to help," Siebel says. "Think of volunteering as a chance to pursue interests you never had time for before."

Search smart: Go to Volunteer Match, plug in your zip code, and choose from 29 categories of interest, such as crisis support and politics. Another option: Senior Corps, which is for people 55-plus who are looking to become foster grandparents, help homebound seniors, or share their skills through community service, such as beautifying their neighborhood. You can also contact local organizations directly, or call your city or county office volunteer center.

Ask questions: Before committing, arrange an informational meeting and ask the following questions:

1) What is the organization's mission?
2) What time commitment are you looking for?
3) What specific duties will I be handling?
4) Who will manage me?
5) How will I get feedback on my work?

Finally, ask to speak with other volunteers to get a sense of how your time will be spent.

Published November 2011, Prevention | Updated November 2011