Volunteering after age 40 provides more mental health benefits than serving when younger, according to a new analysis from British researchers.

In reviewing more than 66,000 responses by British adults, researchers found the positive association between volunteering, good mental health and emotional wellbeing became apparent at age 40 and continued to when volunteers were over age 80.

Researchers theorized that volunteering provides a sense of purpose, especially for older people who are isolated. Results appeared in BMJ Open