Baycrest

2 BrainMatters FALL 2016 The benefits of volunteering D edicating your time as a volunteer allows you to give something back to the community and make a difference in the lives of others. But did you know that volunteering can also benefit you while you help the cause of your choice? Recent research is revealing that volunteer work is good for your mind and body – it can lift your mood, protect your mental and physical health and even help you live longer. This isn't surprising when you factor in that time spent furthering a cause you believe in can give you a sense of purpose. It can be an escape from your day-to- day routine and provide a good learning opportunity or a chance to explore your interests and passions. For older adults – especially those who have recently retired – volunteering can be a great way to stay mentally stimulated, develop new skills, meet people and find new meaning in life by helping others. Dr. Nicole Anderson, Baycrest senior scientist and clinical neuropsychologist, says that volunteering is an important lifestyle component for maintaining health and wellbeing in later years. A moderate amount of volunteering has been associated with reductions in symptoms of depression, better overall health and greater longevity. "While everyone knows that volunteering is a 'feel good' activity, there is good reason to believe that the benefits of volunteering may be much more profound," says Dr. Anderson, who is studying how volunteering in our later years may protect brain health. We know that staying physically, mentally and socially active helps older adults to maintain cognitive function and decrease dementia risk. "Volunteering adds activity in these three domains to varying degrees, depending on volunteer placement," says Dr. Anderson. "Volunteering should, therefore, help to maintain brain health." Dr. Anderson is the research lead for BRAVO (Baycrest Research About Volunteering among Older adults), a study involving more than 100 retirees doing volunteer work at Baycrest that is investigating what it is about volunteering that's so beneficial and which volunteer roles predict greater benefits. "The long-term objective of the BRAVO study is to see if volunteering is an intervention that has a protective effect against dementia." TOP FIVE WAYS VOLUNTEERING SUPPORTS HEALTHY AGING 1. Volunteering can help you stay physically active. 2. You can socialize with others while working toward a common goal. 3. You can learn new skills and keep mentally stimulated. 4. Helping others can lift your mood and support mental health. 5. Being involved in a cause gives you a renewed sense of purpose. "Recent research is revealing that volunteer work is good for your mind and body…" For more on this topic, visit: baycrest.org/volunteer/

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