Jyväskylä University's gerontology research centre has found that collective social activity helps protect the health of older people.
In particular, different group activities, cultural hobbies, organisational activities, travel or dancing are linked to lower risks for mortality and institutionalisation (entering care homes), said researcher Katja Pynnönen.
According to Pynnönen, people experience a sense of togetherness and feel more accepted when they do meaningful things together with others.
The 17-year study did not find a correlation between so-called productive social activity, that is helping others and doing good things, and lower mortality.
The research was part of the centres Ikivihreät, or evergreens study. Researchers interviewed 1,181 people aged between 65 and 84. The results were published in The Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences.
