A new study suggests that spending a few hours each week assisting others can significantly reduce cognitive decline in middle-aged and older adults. Researchers found that both formal volunteering and informal support, such as aiding neighbors or family, lead to slower brain aging over time. The benefits are most pronounced with moderate engagement of two to four hours per week.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Massachusetts Boston have uncovered evidence that regular acts of helping others can preserve cognitive function in later life. Their study, published in the journal Social Science & Medicine in 2025, analyzed data from over 30,000 U.S. adults aged 51 and older, tracked through the Health and Retirement Study since 1998.
The findings indicate that individuals who consistently provided support outside their households experienced 15% to 20% slower rates of age-related cognitive decline compared to those who did not. This effect held true for both structured volunteering and everyday informal assistance, like driving someone to a medical appointment, babysitting, or helping with household tasks. The most consistent benefits emerged from dedicating about two to four hours weekly to such activities.
"Everyday acts of support -- whether organized or personal -- can have lasting cognitive impact," said Sae Hwang Han, an assistant professor at UT Austin and lead author of the study. She emphasized that these advantages accumulate over years with ongoing involvement, and even informal helping offers benefits on par with formal volunteering, contrary to common assumptions.
The research controlled for factors like wealth, education, and physical health, yet the positive association persisted. Notably, ceasing helping behaviors correlated with faster cognitive deterioration. "This suggests the importance of keeping older adults engaged in some form of helping for as long as possible," Han added.
These results bolster arguments for integrating volunteering and community support into public health strategies, particularly amid rising concerns about dementia and isolation in aging populations. The study also builds on prior work by Han showing that such activities mitigate stress-related inflammation, a risk factor for cognitive issues. Co-authors include Shiyang Zhang and Jeffrey Burr.
