Volunteering generates lots of warm feelings, but for retired seniors it could also help stave off dementia.

A study led by University of Calgary psychology professor Yannick Griep looked at 1,000 Swedish seniors and found those who regularly volunteered were much less likely to get dementia.

“It turns out that getting everything but the paycheque is actually what makes you more healthy and makes you more happy about your life,” Griep told the Calgary Eyeopener.

The five-year study divided the seniors, who all retired in 2010, into three groups: those who regularly volunteered for at least an hour each week, those who sporadically volunteered and those who didn’t volunteer at all.

Curiously, the middle group, those who volunteered sporadically, didn’t see the same benefits as those who volunteered regularly. That’s why Griep says regular volunteering has the benefits of a paying job, such as structure to the day and a widened social circle.

Those who regularly volunteered for at least an hour a week were 2.4 times less likely to develop dementia compared to the ones who didn’t volunteer.

The results were strong enough that Griep encouraged his mother to volunteer in her retirement.

“My own mother recently retired two years ago and she took up voluntary work,” he said. “So I am very proud that she is doing this. She is actually doing what I would recommend, doing one hour of voluntary work a week when you retire.”

Read the full CBC article ”Seniors who Volunteer less Likely to Develop Dementia, Study Suggests.”