A recent Washington Post article on the importance of staying active for longevity featured CIRCA Co-Director Karl Pillemer. The article profiled 100-year-old JoCleta Wilson, who works the morning shift at Home Depot, dances, and plays piano – demonstrating the link between activity and aging well.
In the article, Pillemer described a body of research that demonstrates that volunteer work “reduces mortality risk by surprisingly high amounts.” He noted that volunteering “seems to provide unique benefits to people’s well-being.
“People who are doing volunteer work are more likely to meet physical activity guidelines,” he said.
In fact, scientific evidence demonstrates that environmental volunteering provides an even greater benefit compared to other types of volunteer work.
One longitudinal study, co-authored by Pillemer and published in the journal, The Gerontologist, followed nearly 7,000 older adults for more than 20 years. It found that people who volunteered with environmental organizations in midlife and later had higher levels of physical activity, better self-reported health, and fewer symptoms of depression compared to non-volunteers.
Similarly, a systematic review published in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics analyzed the evidence from nine studies of older adults engaged in environmental volunteerism. The review found that people who volunteered had improved physical health, mental well-being, social capital, and personal empowerment.
Why is this the case? There are several elements of environmental volunteering that provide added value for older adults.
First, environmental volunteering often involves exposure to nature, which studies find improves cognitive function and enhances well-being. Second, data finds that people who volunteer for environmental organizations report increased physical activity compared to those who volunteer in other ways. And third, psychology research suggests that older people experience the need to leave a legacy, which is referred to as generativity. Studies have found that environmental volunteers often feel they are making a positive contribution to the world, which fulfills their need for generativity.
In short, the evidence is clear: environmental volunteering is a great way for older adults to stay active, engaged, and healthy. Find out more about how to get started at our How To Get Involved page.