There are a number of lifestyle changes associated with aging. For example, there are seniors who have retired from life-long careers, developed health conditions that impact them on a daily basis and those who have lost members of their social circle. Image may be NSFW.
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As such, these individuals can easily become depressed, isolated and inactive.
However, while seniors are unable to do some of the things they did when their bodies were younger and stronger, they have gained a lot of wisdom and knowledge along the way. These important attributes can be used to engage in volunteer activities as these important members of the society continue to make useful contributions to others.
Senior citizens make up an essential part of the volunteer community. There are millions of seniors who donate their time every day to assist in making a difference in the lives of others. Research has revealed that volunteering has remarkable benefits as individuals get older.
Ways in Which a Senior Citizen Can Give Back
Start Small
A remarkable way of making an impact through small actions, which can be done from the comfort of home, is “micro-volunteering.” There are a number of service projects that seniors can do on their own time with skills they already have. Micro-volunteering could involve activities that range from re-tweeting a message or signing a petition to counting birds in the garden or participating in a flash mob.
Best of all, it is not required for volunteers to go through an application or training procedure, ongoing commitment is not required and the tasks take mere minutes to complete. Micro-volunteering mainly takes place online; however, it is not exclusively Internet-based. Visiting a lonely neighbor or removing weeds from a garden at a local community center also counts.
Below are some other ways in which senior citizens can give back, remain useful and contribute to society:
Experience and Wisdom
Wisdom typically comes with age and experience and as such, the younger generation can benefit from the wisdom and experience seniors have to impart. This could help the youngster not to act on impulse without thinking things through or rush foolishly into situations which they would be much better off avoiding.
The advice and guidance from seniors could be quite valuable and save the younger generations a lot of time and trouble. It is true that youngsters typically need to make their own mistakes; however, heeding the advice of seniors could assist in putting their problems into perspective or preventing the most destructive errors.
In addition, seniors have a tremendous storehouse of history and knowledge; the proper use of which can help institutions and society in general to avoid the hassle of reinventing the wheel, so to speak. This type of priceless information is needed to keep society grounded in its history and traditional values. In addition, they can be positive role models for children who have had little or no intimate contact with seniors and may regard aging as depressing and negative.
As it relates to the family unit, active, healthy and available grandparents are usually available for babysitting and otherwise engaging with their grandchildren. This frees the parents to do activities like travel for work, go on romantic getaways or take care of certain responsibilities typically associated with the hectic pace that seems to be the norm of everyday life. This helps to forge strong bonds between these generations, which can tremendously enrich the lives of both the children and the seniors.
Grandparents can be amazing storytellers, artfully weaving interesting tales about the many fascinating experiences throughout their lives. Image may be NSFW.
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This type of familial interaction is a great opportunity for a number of seniors and their families. It is also a much better alternative to being segregated from the younger generations and being relegated to “retirement” communities or nursing homes.
Another way in which seniors can spend time with kids is by becoming volunteers at organizations like the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program or the Foster Grandparents Program by the Service Corps. In addition, seniors can reach out to local children’s hospitals to determine how best they can provide support for these young patients and their families.
Help Out Fellow Seniors
Becoming a Senior Companion is ideal for individuals looking to connect with people in their own age group. This will assist you in helping others to be happier and maintain some semblance of independence as they get older and deal with their limitations. A number of residents of assisted living facilities would enjoy seeing a friendly face. As such, you should think about visiting one of these institutions and seeing how you can brighten the day of a few of the residents.
Join a Local Volunteer Organization
Signing up with a local organization as a volunteer will provide diverse and flexible opportunities for seniors to contribute to the betterment of their communities. It could also alleviate many of the concerns seniors have, especially the ones who are new to volunteerism. Furthermore, by having something to which they can meaningfully contribute, seniors could feel more useful, productive and experience a boost in their self-esteem.
Volunteer Through Religious Organizations
If you belong to a religious group, there is usually the option of getting involved at that place of worship. The majority of these organizations depend on volunteers to assist in their offices by undertaking such tasks as doing community outreach or planning social events.
Benefits of Seniors Engaging in Volunteerism
In comparison to other members of their age group, older volunteers have been found to have lower depression and mortality rates, higher levels of well-being and fewer physical limitations. In addition, it has be found by the National Institute on Aging that taking part in productive and meaningful activities like volunteering can improve longevity and reduce the risk of health problems like dementia in seniors. More details of these and other benefits are highlighted below:
• Social
Additionally, social interaction is vital for the well-being of seniors. As social beings, humans need to have meaningful engagement and be socially active on a consistent basis. However, the means of socialization typically dwindle significantly or get lost post-retirement as the opportunities to meet new people declines.
Additionally, a study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences has shown that seniors who are socially isolated are much more likely to experience depression and chronic stress. They could also develop health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. By becoming volunteers, seniors can help others, while helping themselves to valuable social interactions. They can develop new friendships and have discussions with members of the community the organization is serving and other volunteers.
• Physical
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Volunteering can keep seniors more active as well. Some categories of volunteering could inherently incorporate a degree of exercise. These may include assisting with carrying donated goods at a food bank or working outside to beautify parks. Even a desk job can contribute to keeping a senior more active by encouraging him or her to get out of the house more frequently.
• Mental
By becoming volunteers, seniors are provided with opportunities to engage in purposeful and stimulating activities; this can contribute to enhancing their mental health. Studies have revealed that social isolation is among the foremost causes of depression in senior citizens. Loneliness can be easily transformed into feelings of despair and worthlessness. The interactions and conversations afforded by volunteering play an extremely essential role in controlling negative thoughts, which ultimately ensures mental well-being.
• Enhanced Cognitive Function
As individuals age, socialization is a major aspect of keeping the brain sharp. Actively participating in volunteerism encourages seniors to continue observing, learning and responding to the world around. These types of activities and engaging in fulfilling conversations are remarkable for keeping the mind fit. In addition, they could potentially lessen the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Volunteering on a regular basis can also provide seniors with a sense of purpose. This is especially true for those who no longer work full time and are not feeling as useful as they previously did.
• Providing a Sense of Belonging
Enjoying the company of those with similar interests or personalities helps human beings to feel as if we belong somewhere. It is not uncommon for seniors to feel like they do not belong in this fast-paced world. A number of seniors feel as if they are unable to effectively cope with the ever-changing technologies. In cases like these, the need to feel connected or belong is even more intense. Socializing with others provide opportunities to cultivate new friendships and do some meaningful things that will help to create lasting bonds, while simultaneously reinforcing a sense of belonging.
While the majority of individuals, regardless of age, could experience the social, physical and mental benefits of volunteerism. However, studies have revealed that older adults gain the most from these types of activities. It has been discovered that volunteering did not begin to make noticeable mental health improvements for individuals until they reached middle age and the most profound impact was made on older age groups.