Volunteering offers senior citizens a meaningful way to stay active and engaged, giving them a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
It allows them to share their valuable skills and life experiences to benefit their communities.
Volunteering also fosters social connections, helping seniors combat loneliness and build relationships with others. Additionally, staying involved through volunteer work can boost mental and physical health, enhancing overall quality of life.
Personal Story of Volunteering
My wife worked as a volunteer coordinator at the American Red Cross for 18 years. Most of her volunteers were senior citizens. She felt they were all angels helping other folks at Blood drives. They did paperwork and even handed out orange juice, always with a smile.
After my son was born, my wife moved to an elementary school and worked there for another 18 years. Now, it is time for her to retire.
I’m sure volunteering is in her near future.
Why volunteering?
Why not? You will be helping others by giving your time and energy to helping organizations like the Red Cross out. There are benefits to volunteering. You will be physically active, and it will help you stay mentally sharp.
If you are like many seniors, you suffer from isolation. Volunteering is a great way to combat loneliness and isolation. Who knows, you make a few friends.
Depression is also common among senior citizens. Along with your doctor’s advice, this is something to help you out.
Where do I volunteer?
It’s not only the Red Cross that needs volunteers; there are other places as well. In her 80s, my mother rang the bell for the Salvation Army around Christmas time. She got a big kick out of it.
Eight Places to Volunteer
- Senior centers (Most communities have senior centers)
- Habitat for Humanity
- Local charities and local churches have lots of opportunities to volunteer
- AmeriCorp seniors
- Foster Grandparents program
- Red Cross
- Salvation Army
- Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
Are there any downsides to older people volunteering?
Just make sure you are up to the job physically and mentally. If it’s too taxing on you, maybe something else would be better.
The benefits outweigh the possible disadvantages of volunteering.
Volunteering helps both physically and mentally.
Physically, it keeps you active, especially when tasks involve movement, which can improve mobility, strength, and overall health.
Mentally, volunteering reduces stress, combats feelings of loneliness, and fosters a sense of purpose and accomplishment, which boosts emotional well-being. It also stimulates the brain by engaging in problem-solving, learning, and social interaction, contributing to better cognitive health.
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