Desiree and her husband Julius recently retired, sold their home of 35 years, and moved to a condo in a community north of Orlando. Desiree joined a sewing group and Julius plays golf at least three days a week, but they want to participate in something meaningful to give back to their community.
Volunteering has many benefits, not just for your community, but also for the person volunteering. According to the National Institute on Aging, staying engaged may benefit brain health. The Institute suggests people who engage in meaningful activities, such as volunteering, report feeling happier and healthier. Learning new skills may improve their thinking ability, too.
Combat Social Isolation
Social isolation is a huge concern older adults face, and volunteering is a great way to alleviate some of the loneliness. Volunteers have been shown to have lower mortality rates and increased strength and energy than those who don’t volunteer. It also promotes socialization while bridging the generational gap. An added bonus is an increase in physical activity. Volunteering can also help set goals and motivate you to find new and exciting purposes in life.
Committing to volunteer work after retirement can feel intimidating, especially for those who haven’t worked in years. However, it’s important to consider this when committing your time to volunteer:
- Focus on something you enjoy. If you enjoy pets, try reaching out to your local animal shelter.
- Don’t be afraid to start small, a few hours here or there.
- Be aware of your physical capabilities and listen to your body. If you overcommit, you may begin to feel burned out more quickly.
- Make sure it’s convenient for you. Is there easily accessible public transportation? Can the organization arrange carpools? Let the organization know what you’re hoping to get out of volunteering so it’s a mutually beneficial experience.
Where to Volunteer
Some common places to volunteer include:
- Local food banks
- Mentoring/tutoring at schools
- Joining activism or political campaigns
- Local cleanup projects
- Animal shelters
- Local historical attractions
Make sure to also research unique opportunities to your town or city when it comes to volunteering. There are unique organizations to volunteer with depending on your location.
How to Volunteer
There are different ways to go about finding ways to volunteer:
- Area Agency on Aging
- Senior center
- Local church organization
- VolunteerMatch
- AARP’s Create the Good
There are also variations of “Adopt-A-Grandparent” or “Foster Grandparent” programs available, through nonprofits such as Catholic Charities or governmental agencies such as AmeriCorps. These types of volunteer programs match seniors 55+ to serve as mentors and tutors to children with special needs. This type of volunteer program typically comes with a small stipend and includes training.
Desiree contacted her Area Agency on Aging location and it connected her to a mentoring program for at-risk youth not far from their home. The couple also volunteered with their church at a food bank once a month.
If you’d like to learn more about opportunities in your area, you can reach out to Homethrive at (844) 343-8714 (TTY 711) for more assistance.