Though the elderly have have spent a lifetime contributing to society in one fashion or another, it’s not uncommon for them to become isolated in their old age. Friends and family members may no longer live close by and, in some cases, may even have passed away.
Simply building connections with seniors, then, can be one of the most powerful ways to help promote happiness and comfort among those in their old age. There is no better way to do this than through volunteering.
Volunteering doesn't just have to be about helping the elderly. It can involve teaming up with them as well in the service of others. In fact, this kind of volunteering may even be the most meaningful to those who are isolated and alone.
Of course, providing services to those who are home-bound or living in a facility can still be incredibly meaningful and important.
You can volunteer is by visiting residents living in long-term care environments. These visits can be most effective if you plan ahead, scheduling the time and thinking up activities to do ahead of time.
Playing card games or board games, or even simply watching a video together can form the basis for conversation and connection. Better yet, collecting some photos in an album — or on an iPad — and showing these can be a great way to keep the conversation going while inspiring reminiscence and memory.
Older adults sometimes have trouble leaving their home. Running simple errands on their behalf, whether to the local supermarket, or to pick up clothes or basic toiletries from the store, can make a huge difference in reducing stress and saving them time.
Finally, offering to take care of simple repairs around seniors’ homes – hanging pictures, decorating or even just arranging flowers — can be extremely helpful. And you don’t need advanced handyman skills.
Seniors are themselves often extremely generous with their time, and you can help them make the most of this — whether it involves serving in a soup kitchen or reading to children — while giving them the chance to build relationships with you and with others around them.
Involving yourself in a senior volunteer group doesn't require that you make the full-blown commitment as a coordinator of activities, either. There are any number of ways you can help out just by providing transportation with your car or providing other support services as seniors go about their own service work.
For example, you might provide transport to seniors to and from the homes or assisted-living facilities in which they live to the volunteer activity location, and perhaps bring drinks and refreshments throughout the day.
Of course, there’s also no reason why you can’t work side-by-side with them on the task at hand. In some cases this may provide the greatest opportunity to make meaningful connections with your senior friends.
By helping seniors volunteer, you’re not only helping them bridge social gaps, but you may be helping them make a positive impact on their health as well.
A growing body of evidence suggests that volunteering may even be beneficial to seniors’ health. A study at Carnegie Mellon University, for example, found that volunteering for some 200 hour in a year was associated with a 40% drop in hypertension.
And don’t forget that this applies to you, too. While the health impact of volunteering is still not completely understood, the evidence suggests that benefits may extend to people of any age.
The benefits that come with working with the elderly are hard to quantify. Not only does it give you insights into the lives of those who have come before you, but it gives you access to their vast knowledge and accumulated wisdom — all while helping improve the lives of those who made the world what it is today.
Interested? Tandem Lane’s Pedal Together page is a great place to get started. There you’ll find links to a number of organizations and online resources, all dedicated to improving the lives of seniors.
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