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How you can volunteer to make a difference in the life of an elderly person
Often isolated in their later years, it's easy for seniors to become inactive and depressed, whether they receive home health care or live in assisted living or a skilled nursing facility. Loneliness, health issues, deceased spouses and friends—all of these take a toll, both mentally and physically. But while the ingredients for isolation and decline are found in the lives of many elderly, solutions to make it better are plentiful as well, in the form of the many volunteer opportunities that can brighten the lives of seniors.
"Volunteers provide services to fill a broad spectrum of need for the elderly," says Larry Daniel, Vice President of the PruittCares Foundation, the charitable entity of PruittHealth. "No matter your age or your skills, you can help prevent loneliness and depression by donating just a few hours a week."
While staff and caregivers may do their best to attend to the social needs of their residents and clients, time constraints may prevent them from interacting on a personal level very much. To provide necessary social interaction and fun, residential facilities and home health agencies can use volunteers to perform various enriching tasks. In many places, volunteers provide social support services, simply chatting with a senior, playing a board game, watching a video together or reading a book aloud.
In facilities that have activity groups, like singing or art, volunteers often lead the programs or assist with them. In home health care situations, volunteers may discover what the person's passion is and help pursue it. The volunteer might also learn a thing or two themselves—like how to sew or play the harmonica.
A volunteer can accompany a senior while he or she pursues interests away from home, at a nearby senior center, bridge club or church group, or act as escort to a movie, concert or theatrical production. Even just sitting and enjoying the fresh air of the local park can be restorative and pleasant for senior and volunteer alike.
Depending on their background, volunteers can assist with a scrapbooking project, prepare a home-cooked meal or help with shopping, errands, bill-paying, home maintenance, cleaning, spiritual support or even legal assistance.
How to volunteer
There are several organizations that offer support for volunteers interested in helping seniors, whether you are looking for support for your elderly loved one or would like to become a volunteer.
- Elder Helpers matches volunteers with those needing help. It offers tips on how to be a good volunteer and how to pick a local volunteer that will meet the senior's needs.
- Senior Companions is a government program for volunteers age 55 and up who help at-home seniors remain independent by providing companionship and performing tasks around the house.
- Volunteers of America promotes senior health and independence by providing a number of services, including meal programs, and encourages seniors to live longer in their own homes.
- AARP's Create the Good program offers several suggestions for volunteer activities, and has a search tool for finding opportunities in your area.
If there's a specific facility near you where you'd like to help, check their website or contact them directly for information about their needs, how to apply and how they screen their volunteers.
Don't forget that the seniors you can meet through volunteering have led long, interesting lives themselves, and creating new friendships with them will likely broaden your own horizons.
"The beauty of volunteering with seniors is that it's usually a win-win," says Larry Daniel. "The senior gets valuable assistance and companionship, but the volunteer gets something too—a friend with a rich history, wisdom and memories to share."
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