The association between employment and cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review

The number of working older adults has been increasing in the past decade. Past studies have shown that working has a beneficiary effect on the health of older adults. One of the functions that older adults want to maintain is cognitive function, as this function is essential for an independent and high quality of life. Meanwhile, the association between employment >60 years and cognitive function has not yet been organized. In this study, a systematic review was conducted to clarify the longitudinal association between working older adults and cognitive function. A computerized search was performed using PubMed, CINHAL, and PsycINFO for prospective studies published until July 2023. Of the 76 174 studies identified, six were included in the systematic review based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Four studies were from Asian countries (one from Taiwan and three from Japan), and two from the USA. Of the six studies, five reported an association between employment later in life and a lower risk of cognitive decline. Three studies examined the association by performing gender-specific analyses, reporting varied results. Overall, the results of this review suggest that the employment of older adults was positively associated with cognitive function over time. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 1283-1291.