Defy Dementia™ Episode 31: The Science of Giving Back
Volunteering has been associated with better self-reported health and reduced loneliness. Now, science is suggesting that it may also boost brain health. As we celebrate the spirit of giving at this time of year, we’re celebrating how volunteering not only benefits others, but can also help protect your brain and reduce your dementia risk. We’ll speak to lifelong volunteer Rev. Dianne Parker and learn how volunteering may have shaped her brain health. Later, we’ll hear from researcher Dr. Nicole Anderson, who has examined the link between volunteerism and brain health, and how volunteering supports physical activity, cognitive engagement and social interaction, each known to support healthy aging. Tune in at defydementia.org, or anywhere you get your podcasts.
Key Messages
- Volunteering can reduce your risk of dementia and help you age well.
- It does so by enhancing social connection, cognitive engagement, physical wellbeing, and a sense of purpose.
- However, too much volunteering can lead to burnout, which can be harmful to brain health.
Key Actions
- Seek out volunteer opportunities that bring you fulfillment.
- To begin volunteering, ask a volunteer about opportunities.
- Protect your brain health as a volunteer; for most people,100 hours annually is probably a healthy target.
Resources
Learn more about our guests
Reverend Dianne Parker is an Anglican Priest in the Diocese of Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island, a graduate of the Nova Scotia Teachers’ College, Acadia University, and Atlantic School of Theology. She taught in public and private schools throughout Nova Scotia.
She has volunteered in various communities and served on numerous outreach committees. Her volunteerism awards include: the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012; the Senate of Canada 150th Anniversary Medal in 2017; and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Medal in 2022.
Dr. Nicole Anderson is the Director of the Katz Interprofessional Research Program in Geriatric and Dementia Care, Associate Scientific Director of the Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health and Wellness, and a Senior Scientist at the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest. She is also a Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and a registered clinical neuropsychologist.