For the first time, researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa have studied how work, volunteering, and leisure activities affect brain health in older adults from diverse backgrounds.
Their findings suggest that staying mentally and socially active can help maintain cognitive function as people age, even for those with a genetic risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study, led by Yeonjung Jane Lee, an assistant professor of social work at the university’s Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 7,600 participants in the Health and Retirement Study, a long-term survey that follows a nationally representative group of older adults in the U.S.
The study looked at the effects of work, volunteering, and mentally engaging activities such as word games, computer use, and social interactions on cognitive function.
Researchers also considered whether participants carried the APOE ε4 allele, a genetic marker linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Overall, they found that staying engaged in activities helped improve brain health. However, the benefits varied based on genetics.
- For those without the APOE ε4 allele, part-time work and high-intensity volunteering (such as regular community service) provided the most significant cognitive benefits.
- For those with the APOE ε4 allele, engaging in mentally stimulating activities still helped preserve cognitive function, but work and volunteering had less of an impact.
The Importance of an Active Lifestyle
Lee emphasized that, even for individuals at higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s, lifestyle choices can make a difference. “Even if someone has the APOE ε4 allele, modifiable factors like cognitively stimulating activities can promote cognitive health,” she explained.
The findings suggest that offering accessible opportunities for work, volunteering, and mentally engaging activities could help older adults maintain brain health, especially in diverse communities. Encouraging participation in these activities may be an effective way to support healthy aging and reduce the impact of dementia-related conditions.
While genetics play a role in cognitive decline, this study reinforces the idea that staying socially and mentally active can help older adults keep their minds sharp, regardless of their genetic background.
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The research findings can be found in Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports.
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