You’re likely aware that volunteering is immensely beneficial for the community, but have you considered its profound impact on your own well-being?
Delving into volunteer work as a senior not only enriches the lives of those you help but also yields significant physical and mental advantages for yourself. By giving back, you’re not just making a difference in the world but also nurturing your health and happiness. Let’s explore the benefits of volunteering and volunteering opportunities for seniors.
Benefits of Volunteering as a Senior
Engaging in volunteer work during one’s senior years not only enriches individual lives but also fosters a stronger sense of community and purpose. Take a look at all the ways that volunteering can benefit you.
Get Healthier
A report published in 2020 by the National Library of Medicine showed significant improvements in mental and physical wellness of seniors who participated in volunteering. These senior volunteers reported better health, lower rates of depression, and fewer feelings of isolation.
Stay Active
Working for a cause has the added benefit of keeping you moving. You can choose heavy physical activities like building houses or walking rescue dogs or find a more relaxed job like planting or weeding gardens for the Lincolnshire Garden Club. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities for older adults that can offer a healthy amount of activity.
Make Young Friends
Working toward a common goal is a great way to meet younger friends, and intergenerational friendships are valuable for everyone involved.
Intergenerational friendships formed through volunteering offer seniors and younger volunteers mutual understanding, companionship, and cognitive stimulation. These connections combat loneliness, promote mental agility, and strengthen community bonds, fostering a supportive network that transcends age barriers.
Older friends gain exposure to new technology and new ways of thinking, and youngsters learn about traditions and culture.
Feel a Sense of Purpose
Dedicate your talents to causes you believe in and find a renewed sense of purpose in life. This will improve your general outlook and help you overcome obstacles.
Realizing a sense of purpose can be a deeply personal pursuit, but it’s helpful to consider what you’re already passionate about – children’s welfare, the environment, education, religious beliefs, civics, homelessness, animals, whatever speaks to you – and discover what you can do to make a difference.
Connect to Community
Volunteering helps battle senior isolation, one of the most serious health issues facing the older population. A USCF study found strong correlations between a sense of loneliness and mental and physical decline, and even a risk of death.
When you join in volunteer opportunities for seniors, you get out of your house and interact with your community. As a bonus, when you spend more time out in your local community, you start to feel safer and more comfortable there.
Volunteering Opportunities in Lincolnshire
You may already have an organization you’re eager to volunteer for, but if you’re looking for inspiration, here are several North Shore volunteer opportunities to look into. Find a volunteer program that fits your interests and skills and reach out – chances are, they’ll be glad to hear from you.
North Shore Volunteer Opportunities
- The Lincolnshire Garden Club
- Riverside Foundation
- The Learning Fund Foundation
- D103 Music Boosters
- Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
- Lake County League of Women Voters
- Lake County YMCA
- United Way of Lake County
- Vernon Area Public Library
- Reach Rescue, Inc.
- Habitat for Humanity Lake County
As you can see, there is great need for senior volunteers in the North Shore area, or even right here, at Sedgebrook. To learn more about volunteering in Lincolnshire, use our Contact form.
