Education and Formal Volunteering Delays Cognitive Decline Among Hispanics: Implications for Health Interventions

Abstract

This study examined the longitudinal associations of productive aging activities (education, employment, and formal volunteering) with cognitive functioning among Hispanics in the United States. Methods included mixed-effect growth curve models with Health and Retirement Study data (2006–2020, N = 2,437), controlling for risk and protective factors associated with cognitive functioning. Education, employment, and formal volunteering were positively associated with cognitive health. Post-hoc analyses examined ages at which respondents met the threshold for cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) status. The magnitude of cognitive health benefits varied by educational attainment and formal volunteering. Among Hispanics with less than a high school education, high-intensity volunteering was positively associated with cognitive functioning at baseline and overtime. Among highly educated Hispanics, any volunteering (low and high intensity) resulted in slower cognitive health declines over time. Post-hoc analyses suggest Hispanic older adults with low educational attainment benefited the most from high intensity volunteering. College completion, employment, and formal volunteering are promising public policy interventions to promote cognitive health, including Hispanic older adults. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.

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