Relaxing all the time isn’t necessarily the retirement plan for all older adults. Many part-time and full-time retirees seek opportunities to give back to their communities once they have extra time. Volunteering at a favorite organization or agency can fit the bill for older adults looking to offer their time, talents, and expertise to help others. The benefits of volunteering don’t affect just the organization and community, though; the seniors benefit, too.
The Urban Institute reports that more than 60% of adults age 55 and older engage in some type of volunteer activity. These volunteer activities can range from cleaning up trails with an environmental group to reading to kids at the local library to stuffing envelopes at a nonprofit organization. No matter what type of volunteering an older adult engages in, they reap benefits for their physical, mental, and cognitive health. Here, we explore some benefits of volunteering an older adult may experience when donating their time and energy to an organization they care about.
Physical benefits of volunteering
When you think of the benefits of volunteering, you might not immediately think of improved physical health. However, a Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) study reported that 84% of senior volunteers experienced improved or stable physical health after two years of service. A study also found that people who volunteer have lower mortality rates than those who do not. This finding suggests that the positive effects of volunteering can contribute to an older adult’s longevity.
Volunteers improve their physical health due to increased physical activity. Staying active as you age is important, but retirees sometimes struggle with the motivation to get up and about without the daily requirements of a job or career. This more sedentary lifestyle won’t help protect vitality in late adulthood as much as a more active lifestyle will. Even if the volunteer role isn’t inherently physical, senior volunteers increase their physical activity simply by leaving the home more often, resulting in the protection of physical health.
Lowered stress
Volunteering has been proven to reduce stress, thanks to dopamine, a brain chemical released when we do something satisfying. In addition, the positive feelings associated with giving back and maintaining a sense of purpose, an essential aspect of retirement, have stress-relieving effects.
Less stress can have compounding positive effects. Individuals with lower stress are at a lower risk for heart disease, stroke, anxiety, and depression. These benefits are especially valuable during the first decade of retirement when many retirees struggle to maintain a feeling of purpose or develop a new life role beyond their career.
Improved mental health and self-esteem
Mental health and self-esteem issues are common in the older population. The physical and emotional challenges associated with the aging process can be hard to deal with. Volunteering is an excellent way to improve the mental health of older adults.
Meeting new friends, helping out others, and having fun on a regular basis can boost mental health, leaving volunteers feeling good about the effort they have put into an organization they love. They’ll also enjoy the social, physical, and cognitive engagement of volunteering, all of which benefit their mental health.
In addition, when people volunteer, they feel good about themselves, which can quickly lead to higher self-esteem. Self-esteem is especially important for those who are partially or fully retired, as self-worth often comes from successes in a work environment. Without those successes, retirees can quickly feel like they are “less than” their younger, working selves.
Older adult volunteers often give back by sharing their expertise and talents. The right volunteer opportunity allows them to offer help in areas they have gained knowledge in over decades of their own experiences. Passing this knowledge on to others can also benefit older adults’ self-esteem.
Cognitive benefits of volunteering
When older adults volunteer, they give their brains a workout. They may be following a new routine, learning new things, or using talents they don’t often get the chance to employ, ensuring their cognitive skills are put to the test. This engagement can help fight cognitive decline while causing feelings of empowerment.
Retirement often means diminished social circles and relationships, leading many retirees to feel lonely and isolated. Unfortunately, social isolation has been linked to several health conditions, including dementia. Volunteering allows the opportunity for new relationships and connections with peers, which can lead to improved cognitive health. Older adult volunteers experience the cognitive benefits of volunteering in their improved social connections, reducing the risk of dementia.
Volunteering benefits everyone
The best part of volunteering is that anyone can find a role that suits their skills and preferences. Many organizations look for older adults with varying abilities and interests so everyone can offer their help and enjoy their work. Begin by searching for a local organization that serves a need that you are passionate about, and reach out to see if there are volunteer opportunities that meet your skills. Soon you’ll be giving back to the organization while experiencing the benefits of volunteering yourself.
