Volunteering is recommended to promote healthy ageing in older adults.
This review from Oxford Academic investigated the benefits and harms of older adult volunteering on a range of health outcomes. The results showed that volunteering is seemingly beneficial to older adults, though more evidence from experimental studies is needed to clarify discrepancies and substantiate current recommendations as harms may be under-reported.
Further clarity may allow for more older adults to participate in volunteering, while maximising health benefits and avoiding harms. Additionally, further research could inform governments and volunteer organisations on how to implement and advertise programmes appropriately.
