Social engagement and its relationship to health.

Older age is a time of life when major life tasks such as work and raising children have typically been completed. As a consequence, the daily demands for involvement in their social environment have lessened for older adults. It is believed that, because of their many possible benefits, social activities ultimately promote physical and mental health in older age. These propositions have captured the imagination of gerontologists and geriatricians for decades. Surprisingly, the body of relevant research is not plentiful. In this article we selectively review the theory and empirical support surrounding social engagement and its health consequences in older age.