The headline of the magazine article captured my attention.

"Want to Live Longer? Volunteer!," it proclaimed.

Like many people we know, my husband and I have been volunteering for years. So we are well aware of the joys of doing something good for others or for the earth and its creatures.

But now, I read, there is evidence of physical value, too. Our volunteerism may lead to better health and longevity, as well as social benefits.

The University of Michigan studied 2,700 people for over 10 years and found that regular volunteer work, more than any other activity, dramatically increased life expectancy.

Another study compared the quality of life of more than 2,000 senior volunteers with the functional performance of older people, in general, over a period of three years.

In every measure, the mental and physical health of the volunteering seniors was notably higher than that of non-volunteering older folks.

Volunteers displayed greater feelings of usefulness and well-being. They also reported a sense of accomplishment not found in the older adults who did no volunteer work.

Physically, the volunteer group generally showed fewer and milder effects of aging, and the aging process itself occurred at a slower pace.

The senior volunteers also remained enthusiastic and positive deeper into old age than their non-volunteering peers did.

Why do millions of older retirees volunteer? The reasons are varied.

For some, volunteering eases the transition from employment to retirement by providing feelings of identity and self worth that had been derived from the workplace.

These volunteers also enjoy continuing to use their special skills and interests in new ways, as they give back to their communities.

In addition, volunteering gives structure to a retired person's daily routine, as his or her job once did.

Volunteering can provide social contacts which, for some folks, are often lost when they retire. Thus, volunteering can help to overcome the boredom or loneliness that older adults sometimes experience.

Whatever talents or abilities an older person possesses, he or she can apply them in volunteer work.

Volunteers can be found in schools, libraries, churches, senior centers, hospitals, nursing homes, courts, daycare centers and many other organizations.

Some retirees help the Meals on Wheels program by delivering food and fellowship to older persons in their homes.

Good listeners make great volunteers for telephone assurance programs or friendly visits to shut-ins.

Older adults who are fit and active frequently visit nursing homes to transport wheelchair-bound residents or read to them or help them write letters. Some volunteers entertain the residents with musical performances, card games or bingo.

Some older volunteers teach life skills, such as finance, nutrition and childcare, to the needy.

Others prepare adults to take the GED (General Equivalency Diploma) test or they teach English as a second language to immigrants. Some volunteers teach illiterate adults to read.

Volunteer opportunities abound. All that is needed is enthusiasm and the ability to follow the directions of the volunteer coordinator at the chosen organization.

Just as a paid employee would not overstep boundaries and do the jobs of others in his department, a volunteer needs to understand his or her role in order to have (and create) a satisfactory experience.

I was reminded of this on Thanksgiving when my husband and I, as we do every year, were volunteers at a community dinner for the needy.

Volunteer supervisors assigned each volunteer a specific task, so the crowded event could proceed smoothly. A few volunteers, however, made their own rules, taking over the roles assigned to others.

"It spoils the volunteer experience for the rest of us," one woman, a first-time volunteer, noted. Well said.

Folks with time on their hands who want to make a difference and enjoy the rewards of an enriched life should, by all means, look into becoming a volunteer.

It will keep them far too busy to worry about growing old.