Health benefits and harms of older adult volunteering: mixed methods systematic review

Volunteering is recommended to promote healthy aging in older adults. This review investigated the benefits and harms of older adult volunteering on a range of health outcomes.

A systematic search of four databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, AgeLine, PsycINFO) was conducted. Data were extracted and categorized according to health outcome. This review was registered on PROSPERO https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023456281RO.

The search yielded 182 papers related to a wide range of health benefits and harms. RCTs were assessed for risk of bias using CASP checklists. There were 11 RCT papers from five trials. Included RCTs had a high risk of bias. Benefits and harms were categorized into biological, psychological, social, and biopsychosocial intersect domains. Papers largely reported on multiple health benefits of volunteering. There were negligible reports of harms compared to benefits.

Volunteering is seemingly beneficial to older adults, though more evidence from experimental studies is needed to clarify discrepancies and substantiate current recommendations. Harms may be under-reported. Further clarity may allow for more older adults to participate in volunteering, while maximizing health benefits and avoiding harms. Additionally, further research could inform governments and volunteer organizations on how to implement and advertise programs appropriately.