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Abstract:
Leisure engagement has potential to slow health and functional decline in older age. However, the benefits of different leisure domains for different aspects of aging remains unclear. In 8771 older adults from the Health and Retirement Study (a longitudinal panel study), we measured engagement in physical, creative, cognitive, and community activities. Outcome-wide analyses used 23 aging experiences across seven domains eight years later (daily functioning, physical fitness, long-term physical health problems, heart health, weight, sleep, subjective perceptions of health). Physical activity was related to more positive experiences in all domains but heart health eight years later. Creative engagement was positively related to aging experiences in four domains longitudinally. Cognitive and community engagement were less consistently related to aging experiences. Physical and creative activities may influence important aging metrics, reducing age-related decline and keeping older adults functionally independent for longer, potentially limiting increasing healthcare costs.

What They Found:
Older adults who engaged in creative activities more frequently showed better daily functioning, fitness, sleep, and overall feelings of health over time. Creative activities had more consistent benefits than community or cognitive ones, but physical activities showed the strongest impact.

Why It Matters:
Creative activities don’t just make people feel better – they keep people healthier, longer.

How You Can Use This:
Creative aging programs should be framed as part of the strategy to support healthy aging. Use this research to advocate for, design, or expand community programs where creative engagement is understood to be a health behavior like exercise.

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