{
  "id": 15835471,
  "title": "Science: Study: Social activities in old age promote brain performance",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/wissenschaft-studie-soziale-aktivitaten-im-alter-fordern",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-21T02:00:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/technik/forschung-innovation/wissenschaft-studie-soziale-aktivitaeten-im-alter-foerdern-gehirnleistung/100263758.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "A large study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that social activities in older age are linked to better cognitive function and can help counteract mental decline. The study analysed data from 57,793 participants across 24 countries and found that the more social activities seniors engage in, the stronger the positive effects on their memory and executive functions. Engaging in volunteer work, sports clubs, and educational courses, as well as taking care of children, were found to be particularly effective in maintaining cognitive function. The benefits were most pronounced among women, people over 60, those with higher education, and those living alone or in rural areas. The study's findings suggest that promoting diverse and long-term social activities among older adults may help reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline.",
  "summary": "The more, the better: social contacts in old age promote memory and cognitive abilities. According to the study, voluntary work is particularly effective. What else?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}