Volunteering offers numerous advantages for the organizations and the communities it serves; however, it has several benefits for the volunteers, too! This is particularly true for those of retirement age or currently in retirement. Studies show that seniors who volunteer regularly have positive physical and mental outcomes, including reduced stress and blood pressure. And that’s something we can all be happy about! 

Believe it or not, there are plenty of benefits to volunteering in your community as a senior. Take a look at just a few of the health benefits that come from volunteering during retirement: 

  • Physical Activity. Volunteering is a great way of promoting more physical activity. Having a place to go provides a little more physical activity than usual! Plus, the tasks you complete when volunteering likely involve at least a little physical activity, whether walking from location to location, working in a kitchen, or carrying a few items into a building. These little activities can add to some serious fitness, especially as seniors get older. 
  • Depression. Without regularly scheduled “jobs” to do and commitments to follow through on, seniors can fall into a deep depression. Volunteering allows you to work with others, complete tasks, and be responsible. For these reasons, seniors who volunteer often report lower levels of depression than those who don’t volunteer. It also provides a great sense of accomplishment and purpose, adding to a more positive outlook on life and a healthier mental image. 
  • Socialization. Seniors can sometimes isolate themselves without many social opportunities, especially as they get older. Volunteering can keep seniors out of isolation by giving them chances to socialize with others. And not just with people their age– while seniors can meet other seniors their age while volunteering, they can also meet others of different generations, forming meaningful connections and imparting valuable knowledge and experience to younger people they meet.  
  • Cognizance. With so much active work to do while volunteering, seniors can help their mental health by improving cognitive health and lowering their risk of memory loss. Studies from the National Institute of Aging showed that keeping your brain active with meaningful activities, like volunteering, can reduce seniors’ risk of cognitive decline, keeping your mind sharp even as you age. 

Addington Place at East Lake is a vibrant senior living community. With chef-inspired meals, compassionate staff available to serve you 24 hours a day, and engaging social activities, our residents live fulfilling lives with the comforts of assisted living. Visit our website or call us at (727) 491-5256 for more information! 

 

Sources: 

https://www.rollinggreenvillage.com/blog/benefits-volunteering-after-retirement/ 

https://seniorcommunity.org/five-benefits-volunteering-retirement/ 

https://www.whitneycenter.com/7-benefits-of-volunteering-during-retirement/ 

https://www.3rdactmagazine.com/lifestyle/work-purpose/health-benefits-of-volunteering/