A comprehensive study observed over 7,000 Canadians, who were middle-aged and older, for about three years to explore if a higher level of social engagement was linked to more successful ageing later in life. The findings revealed that individuals who engaged in volunteer activities and recreational pursuits were more likely to sustain outstanding health over the three years of the study and were less prone to physical, cognitive, mental, or emotional issues.
The criteria for successful ageing, as defined by the researchers, included the absence of any severe physical, cognitive, mental, or emotional conditions that could hinder daily activities, along with a high degree of self-reported happiness, robust physical health, and mental well-being. The study initially included only those participants who were already ageing successfully. The objective was to determine if social engagement contributed to their chances of continuing to enjoy excellent health.
Around 72% of participants involved in volunteer or recreational activities at the beginning of the study continued to age successfully after three years. In contrast, only two-thirds of those who did not participate in these activities managed to age as successfully by the study’s end. Considering various sociodemographic factors, the results suggested that those engaged in recreational and volunteer or charitable activities had a 15% and 17% higher likelihood of maintaining excellent health throughout the study.
Mabel Ho, the study’s lead author and a doctoral candidate at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and the Institute of Life Course and Aging, remarked that while the study’s observational nature limits definitive conclusions about causality, the link between social activity and successful ageing is intuitively logical. Social engagement plays a crucial role at any age in enhancing mood, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation, and bolstering mental and overall health.
The concept of “social prescribing” is now being adopted by some healthcare professionals, who recommend social activities as a non-drug intervention that connects primary care with community services. This approach encourages older adults to partake in volunteering and recreational activities.
Esme Fuller-Thomson, the study’s senior author and a professor at the University of Toronto, highlighted the positive implications of the findings for older adults and their families, who often fear that a steep decline in health is unavoidable with age. She stressed the importance of collaborative efforts among older adults, their families, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to foster an environment conducive to a fulfilling and healthy later life.
This study proposes a more inclusive definition of successful ageing than previous research by considering objective and subjective health measures. Unlike earlier studies that disqualified individuals with any chronic health conditions from being considered as “ageing successfully,” this research allows for the inclusion of those with chronic illnesses, provided they can still participate in daily activities and are not hindered by disabling chronic pain. This broader definition also considers the personal perceptions of older adults regarding their ageing process, physical and mental health, and emotional well-being, including happiness and life satisfaction, aspects often overlooked in past research.
Published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, this study utilized longitudinal data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) covering the initial and first follow-up phases to investigate factors contributing to optimal ageing. The CLSA comprised 7,651 respondents aged 60 years or older in the second wave who were in optimal health during the first data collection wave. The sample was limited to those in excellent health at the outset, constituting only 45% of the participants.
More information: Ho, M., Pullenayegum, E., & Fuller-Thomson, E. (2022). Is Social Participation Associated with Successful Aging among Older Canadians? Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(12): 6058. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20126058
Journal information: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Provided by University of Toronto
