As individuals reach retirement age, many feel compelled to donate their time and talents through volunteer work. In addition to being a great way to stay active and engaged while serving others, volunteering promotes numerous health benefits for seniors, empowering them to lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives. That said, finding volunteer opportunities for seniors can sometimes be challenging, especially for those who recently moved or face mobility restrictions. Read on to learn more about why volunteering benefits seniors and to discover several engaging and fulfilling volunteering ideas for seniors, including ones you can easily do from home.
Volunteering helps seniors’ mental and physical well-being
Volunteering offers numerous benefits for seniors on both a personal and societal level. One of the most significant advantages of volunteering is how it positively impacts mental and emotional well-being. Engaging in volunteer work provides seniors with a sense of purpose and fulfillment, helping to combat negative feelings, including isolation, anxiety, and depression, that often accompany aging and retirement. These are some of the common mental health issues among seniors, so spending time engaging in volunteerism is a win-win for everyone: The older adult feels fulfilled, and those in need receive help.
Giving back to their communities helps seniors experience a renewed sense of self-worth and connection to others, improving their mental health, emotional well-being, and quality of life. For retirees who may have worked for years in the same profession, volunteering may give them the opportunity to teach others essential job skills, empowering them to be self-sufficient after experiencing a life-changing event.
Volunteering can also promote numerous physical health benefits for seniors. Staying active and engaged in activities that require movement, such as volunteering at a food pantry or shelter, can help seniors maintain their physical strength and mobility well into their golden years. Research has shown that volunteering can also reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and cognitive impairment, ultimately leading to a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life for seniors.
Home-based volunteer opportunities for seniors
Individuals may want to give back to others but would like to do so in the comfort of their own homes. The ideas below are ways to volunteer without needing to leave your home.
Virtual volunteering
With the rise of technology, there are now countless opportunities for people to volunteer from the comfort of their own homes. Virtual volunteering may encompass numerous tasks, such as writing letters to military service members, answering help hotlines, or participating in online tutoring programs. VolunteerMatch allows seniors to search for many different kinds of virtual opportunities so they can help others from home.
Do your craft or hobby for a cause
If you enjoy knitting or crocheting, consider using your skills to create items for those in need. Blankets or scarves can be straightforward items to crochet or knit, and local shelters will likely welcome these one-size-fits-all items. You can knit on your own or start a group for added social benefits.
Pen pal programs
Many seniors find joy in connecting with others through letter writing. Consider joining a pen pal program for seniors, such as Pen Pals for Life, where you can correspond with individuals of all ages who may feel lonely and isolated.
Telephone reassurance programs
Some organizations offer telephone reassurance programs, where retired volunteers call fellow seniors who may be homebound or living alone, offering much-needed companionship and wellness checks. Many telephone reassurance volunteers cultivate long-distance and mutually beneficial friendships while making a difference in the lives of others.
Volunteering in your local community
If you want to get out of your home and are able to do so, there are many ways to become involved with organizations that are either in your community or are larger, national organizations with chapters or programs in your area. Here are some ideas to get started.
AARP Foundation
The AARP Foundation offers various volunteering opportunities for seniors, including tax preparation services for low-income individuals, meal delivery programs, and support for Veterans. You can search on their website for opportunities near you.
AmeriCorps Seniors
AmeriCorps Seniors is a national organization that connects seniors with community volunteer opportunities, such as tutoring children, supporting Veterans, and providing disaster relief assistance.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
As one of the largest senior volunteer organizations in the United States, RSVP offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities for older adults, from mentoring at-risk youth in the community to assisting with environmental conservation efforts.
Your local hospital or treatment center
Many hospitals, cancer centers, and dialysis centers rely on volunteers to assist with numerous tasks, such as serving food and beverages, comforting patients and families, or helping with events and fundraisers.
Try contacting your local hospital and asking how you can volunteer. Though Medicare’s website won’t connect you with volunteering, you can use its helpful health care locator tool to find contact information about hospitals or centers near you. If you’d like to volunteer at a hospital, select “hospital” and input your zip code. The results page will show you the closest hospitals to you, which you can call to learn about volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer at your community’s senior center
Local senior centers often welcome volunteers to lend a helping hand with activities, including leading exercise classes, organizing events, or simply spending time socializing with fellow seniors. To find your local senior center, you can search the internet or contact your town’s senior services or recreation department.
Volunteer opportunities at local food banks and shelters
Food pantries and homeless shelters always seek volunteers to help sort, prepare, and distribute food to needy individuals. This opportunity is an ideal way for seniors to give back to their local community while directly impacting the lives of at-risk individuals.
If you don’t know how to find your local food bank, you can use Feeding America’s online food bank locator or fill out the organization’s contact form to be connected with a local volunteer opportunity. At food banks, which are warehouses that store food items, some volunteer tasks can include food sorting, meal cooking or preparation, food delivery, or helping individuals select food if the food bank has public shopping hours. You can also help organize food drives.
Countless volunteer opportunities are available for seniors to explore, whether they choose to volunteer from home, connect with a national organization, or get involved in their local community. In addition to supporting needy individuals and entire organizations, serving others provides numerous benefits to the volunteer, including improved mental and physical health, a sense of purpose and fulfillment, and opportunities to connect with others.
Whether you have a few hours a week to spare or prefer a more structured, full-time commitment, there’s a volunteer opportunity for you. Before embarking on your exciting volunteering journey, evaluate your options and find a cause that speaks to your heart — one that will ultimately bring much joy and newfound meaning to your life.
