Singapore study links household chores to lower frailty in seniors

A long-term study from Singapore suggests that performing regular household chores can significantly benefit individuals over the age of 65 by reducing the risk of frailty.

Researchers tracked more than 3,000 people living alone, with an average age of nearly 67, over a period of approximately ten years. The study found that regular engagement in both light and strenuous household tasks, such as washing dishes, dusting, cooking, or vacuuming, was associated with an approximately 40 percent reduction in the likelihood of pre-frailty or frailty. Frailty is a condition characterized by a loss of strength, resilience, and the ability to manage daily loads, which is linked to falls and loss of independence.

Findings varied by gender. For women, regular light household work was associated with a roughly 41 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality, including a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. For men, the correlation with light chores was not statistically confirmed, though more strenuous household activities were significantly linked to a lower probability of frailty.