The impact of volunteering on cognition and cognitive decline in older diverse cohorts: KHANDLE and STAR.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Volunteering is linked to cognitive benefits in aging, but evidence in diverse populations is limited.

Methods

We examined volunteering and cognition in Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences Study/Study of Healthy Aging in African Americans participants (N = 2789) with unimpaired cognition at baseline. Volunteering and frequency of volunteering in the past year at baseline were self-reported, and cognition (executive function [EF], verbal episodic memory [VEM]) was assessed with the Spanish and English Neuropsychological Assessment Scale across 4 waves (range of follow-up: 2-6 years). Linear mixed-effect models adjusted for demographics.

Results

Participants were 73.8 ± 7.8 years on average; 62% women; 45% Black, 21% White, 18% Asian, and 17%

SUBMITTER: Lor Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12848898 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature