Volunteering may prevent onset of frailty in the elderly

Washington, January 7 (ANI): Participating in volunteer activities may prevent the elderly from becoming frail, suggests a study.

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), followed 1,072 healthy adults aged 70 to 79 between 1988 and 1991 to determine if activities such as volunteering, paid work and child care prevent the onset of frailty.

Those involved in all three activities were found to be less likely to become frail after three years though only volunteering was associated with lower rates of frailty.

A randomized trial was needed to determine whether volunteering itself prevents the onset of frailty, or if there is something about the types of people who volunteer regularly that keeps them from becoming frail. (ANI)