Volunteering in Retirement

In the last two years, I have seen several of my work colleagues enter retirement. Most of them were healthy, active and in good health. The most common question asked of them was what they intended to do next? Well, many began to volunteer. One delivers meals to the elderly; another makes quilts to for hospitalized veterans; and a third traveled to Africa on a medical mission.

The number of volunteers over the age of 65 has steadily increased over the past three decades. In 2008, approximately 23% of this age group engaged in volunteer activities. Retirees today are in good health, living longer and staying active. Many have found volunteering to be the perfect next step. Studies have found that volunteering can help to increase physical function, maintain cognitive function and decrease depressive symptoms of retirees. Many who volunteer report an improved sense of well-being and enhanced life satisfaction.

Senior volunteers are motivated by a desire to help others and create or maintain social relationships, whereas younger volunteers are more likely to volunteer for professional and personal development opportunities. Volunteer organizations, for their part, benefit from the professional expertise, life experience and enthusiasm of these retirees.

But how do you decide which volunteer activity is right for you? The options are endless but can be narrowed down by asking the right questions. What are your passions and interests? Illiteracy, homelessness or the environment? Is there a specific population that interests you? Young children, elderly, or animals? Is there an activity or past-time you have always wanted to do but work and everyday life prevented you from pursuing? Visiting museums, traveling, or gardening. How often and how much time do you want to commit? Weekly, monthly or periodically? Where would you like to volunteer? Local, regional or internationally? When I retire, for instance, I would like to travel to Thailand to work at an elephant sanctuary. The answers to all of these questions will help guide and narrow your search.

If you are still having trouble deciding, there are several organizations that match people with volunteer opportunities. Here is a short list of the several resources:


1) Senior Corps at http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps was created during John F. Kennedy’s presidential term, connects seniors with a variety of service opportunities;

2) Volunteer Match at www.volunteermatch.org/ will determine your volunteer preferences then produce a list of possible organizations that might interest you.

3) AARP at http://www.aarp.org/giving-back/ offers a site to assist in choosing volunteer opportunities.


Of course, if there is an organization you already have in mind, feel free contact them directly.

Volunteering can be personally fulfilling and fun. Committing your precious time to others is also a responsibility. The St. Vincent Pallotti Center and Catholic Volunteer Network created a “Questions to Ask Yourself” pamphlet which will help guide you in choosing the perfect volunteer opportunity click here to access the questionnaire.

Deciding to volunteer can be rewarding and, improve health and well-being. It requires some research and commitment to determine the option that is right for you but the best advice I can offer about volunteering is to enjoy yourself!



References
Barron, J. S., Tan, E. J., Yu, Q., Song, M., McGill, S., & Fried, L. P. (2009). Potential for intensive volunteering to promote health of older adults in fair health. The Journal of Urban Health, 86(4), 641-653. doi: 10.007/s11524-009-9353-8

Greenfield, E.A., Marks, N. F. (2004). Formal volunteering as a protective factor for older adults' psychological well-being. The Journals of Gerontology, 59(5), 258-264. Retrieved from http://www.midus.wisc.edu/findings/pdfs/147.pdf

Konrath, S., Fuhrel-Forbis, A., Lou, A., Brown, S. (2012). Motivs for volunteering are associated with mortality risk in older adults. Health Psychology, 31(1), 97-96. doi: 10.1037/a0025226

Martinson, M., Minkler, M. (2006). Civic engagement and older adults: A critical perspective. The Gerontologist, 46(3), 318-324. doi:10.1093/geront/46.3.318

Tang, F., Choi, E., Morrow-Howell, N. (2010). Organizational support and volunteering benefits for older adults. The Gerontologist, 50(5), 603-612. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnq020

Author: Susan Polka RN, BSN, CCRN, is a registered nurse with over twenty years experience in health care. She has worked in long term care, community health, and acute care settings. She currently works as a clinical educator and assistant director of an inpatient nursing unit.

Love Well: Make this Valentines Day Different

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.

To be perfectly honest, I still have to nail down the habit of writing “2014” and find myself stepping on a pine needle every now and again. I really don’t need a tantalizing box of fancy chocolates or a lavish meal to set me back on my New Year resolution.

So I began to wonder, how can I bring more meaning to a day that has become yet another Hallmark opportunity to show love, affection and commitment through expensive presents and flowers pried open to bloom in the dead of winter? I’m not the scrooge of Valentines Day and I’m happily married but like the holiday season, Valentines Day can bring up feelings of loneliness and abandonment.

Christmas tends to stir something in our better natures. From Good King Wenceslas, via Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and a massive turkey, to this year's Christmas shelters offering hot meals and human company to thousands, charity and volunteering has long been wrapped up in the cultural norms of the festive season.

Why can’t that continue on into Valentines Day—the day reserved for showing others love. It feels good during the holidays when we buy a gift for a needy child or serve a holiday meal at a shelter. So why stop there? According to the 2013 Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey by the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association, the average annual Valentine’s Day spending reached $17.3 billion. That means, the average American spent $133.41 on candies, flowers, dinner, jewelry, etc.

Here are some alternative ways to share your affections with your loved one on Valentines day:

1. Have a Stay-cation. It’s almost like a vacation, but you stay close to home. Make dinner, try that new bottle of wine you’ve been eyeing at the super market, or visit your local park. With the money saved, donate it to a nonprofit. Here is a list of the 2013 top-rated nonprofits:

• FOCO Café (Feeding Our Community Ourselves), Fort Collins, CO. “This team is focused on providing access to healthy, delicious and sustainable food to all members of our community.”
•  Widbey Island Nourishes, Whidbey Island, WA. One of the volunteers says this program “…provides highly nutritious, ready-made meals at no cost to food insecure youth on South Whidbey Island. Meals are prepared with love by volunteers using high-quality ingredients, including produce from local farms and fruit gleaned from trees throughout the community.”

2. Rather than buying a bouquet of flowers, donate to a local community garden. Your donation will not only continue to give back for months to come, but also be enjoyed by many others.

3. While still setting aside the day to be with loved ones, take a group trip to a near by food pantry or homeless shelter. It might mean the world to an individual to have one hug on Valentines Day from a kind heart. 

4. Be a good neighbor. You may discover that a senior living near by needs a lift to the doctor or help getting groceries. In fact, here is one organization that matches drivers with senior riders: 

• Neighbor Ride, Columbia, MD. This 2013 top-rated organization connects people: “volunteers drive - seniors thrive.” One volunteer summed up the experience this way: “While helping others, I get to meet some wonderful people who often touch my life with joy.”

As the song goes, “Love is something, if you give it away you end up having more”.