Benefits of Volunteering for Older Adults

Perhaps the first and biggest benefit people get from volunteering is the satisfaction of incorporating service into their lives and making a difference in their community and country. The intangible benefits alone—such as pride, satisfaction, and accomplishment—are worthwhile reasons to serve. In addition, when we share our time and talents we: solve problems, strengthen communities, improve lives, connect to others, and transform our own lives.

Over the past two decades we have also seen a growing body of research that indicates volunteering provides individual health benefits in addition to social ones. This research, provided by the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS), has established a strong relationship between volunteering and health: those who volunteer have lower mortality rates and greater functional ability than those who do not volunteer.

Comparisons of the health benefits of volunteering for different age groups have also shown that older adult volunteers are the most likely to receive greater benefits from volunteering, whether because they are more likely to face higher incidence of illness or because volunteering provides them with physical and social activity and a sense of purpose at a time when their social roles are changing.

According to CNCS research “Volunteering offers significant health benefits to volunteers. Not only do older volunteers who regularly serve tend to live longer than non-volunteers, but a number of studies also demonstrate that those individuals who volunteer at an earlier point experience greater functional ability and better health outcomes later in life.” Volunteering can also lead to greater life satisfaction and lower rates of depression in older adults. Additionally, research has shown that those seeking paid employment are 27% more likely to find a job if they are currently volunteering.

The Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) offers older adults a chance to reap these benefits. RSVP is a comprehensive community service program designed to mobilize members of the community who are age 55+ to give back to their own neighborhoods through volunteer services. RSVP partners with a large network of local nonprofits to list their open volunteer opportunities. For potential volunteers, RSVP provides a single location where they can review those opportunities and receive the help of a trained Volunteer Coordinator. This assistance ensures that volunteers are placed in a position that matches their skills, desired time commitment and interests.

Through RSVP, volunteers can participate in meaningful, challenging, and interesting volunteer opportunities, meet new people and make new friends. All services are free and volunteers receive free excess accident, liability, and automobile insurance while traveling to and from volunteer assignments. Volunteers are also invited to attend a yearly Volunteer Recognition Event and are eligible to receive the President’s Volunteer Service Awards.

If you are over the age of 55 and interested in volunteering with RSVP call Stephanie Grove at 973-637-1766 or visit www.jfsmetrowest.org/RSVP for more information.