Housework: Why it’s good for your body. Over-65s can improve their physical and psychological strength…and could protect them from falling, according to research.

  • According to a study, over-65s who are involved in housework more often have stronger physical muscles.
  • A total of 500 people were asked about their frequency with household chores.
  • The attention span of pensioners who did heavy housework was 14% greater than those who didn’t. 










What to do the vacuuming, washing up and ironing can often seem like thankless tasks – but it turns out household chores might be the key to staying healthy in old age.

According to a study, over 65s who housework a lot have higher physical and mental strength as well as greater fall protection.

It was clear that housework has health benefits regardless of what other activities people engage in.

A study has found that over-65s who spend lots of time on housework have better physical strength, are mentally sharper and have greater protection against falls (stock image)

Study has shown that older adults who do a lot of housework are more physically fit, mentally sharper, and less likely to fall (stock photo).

Nearly 500 respondents, who were between 21-90 years old, were asked questions about chores, and then given an ‘housework intensity score’. 

It included washing dishes, vacuuming, dusting, making bed, laundering, ironing, tidying up, and cooking. 

Window cleaning, bed changing, vacuuming and other housework were all heavy chores.

Over-65s had a higher level of cognitive function when they did heavy chores while younger adults didn’t. 

Heavy housework was associated with a 14 percent higher attention span score, while those performing light chores had a 12 percent better memory test.

Those who are more physically challenged could be more able to stand while others do the same.

Pensioners who engaged in more heavy housework had 14% higher attention span scores and those who regularly performed light tasks tested 12% better on memory tests (stock image)

The attention span score of pensioners who did more housework was 14% lower than those who performed lighter tasks, while memory test scores for those who frequently completed light chores were 12% higher (stock image).

They also had better balance and co-ordination scores, suggesting housework can help to protect people from falls in old age – a common cause of hospitalisation. 

According to the University of Singapore’s lead author, the University of Singapore study found that there was more evidence of a link between healthy aging and household jobs.

They suggested chores are an indicator that you can live on your own and require mental sharpness.

Shiou-Liang Wee was the lead author. He told the British Medical Journal, “After accounting for other forms of regular physical activity the results showed that housework was associated to sharper mental capabilities and greater physical ability. However, this was only true for the elderly. 

“Our research suggests that older adults with cognitive impairments may have higher levels of cognition if they do both light and heavy chores. This is especially true for memory domains and attention.

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