Volunteering time and skills to meaningful causes adds value to people’s lives. When you know you’ve made a difference in the world, it feels good. There is no age limit on being helpful and kind, which means that there is no age at which volunteering in retirement has to stop. Buckner Retirement Services offers senior recreational programs that include opportunities to do volunteer work. In addition to how good it feels, there are other advantages of volunteering in retirement.
Curious about volunteering as a resident at one of the Buckner locations? Just call 214.227.7182 to find out how to make that happen. The staff and residents at Buckner understand the benefits of volunteering in retirement. Learn more by reaching out today.
Opportunities for Volunteering in Retirement
Most communities have non-profits that depend on volunteers to fulfill their missions. There are national and regional programs with local chapters that need people in all areas of the country to provide one-on-one volunteer support or to organize drives, fundraisers, and events. However your passions and skills intersect, there will be opportunities for you to volunteer. Some ideas that work well for seniors include:
- Animal shelters – From dog walkers to kitten cuddlers and more, animal shelters often need volunteers to enhance the lives of their animals and provide support to staff.
- Tutoring or mentoring – There may be a local boys and girls club or tutoring programs at a nearby school that would welcome you as a volunteer to provide academic coaching.
- Foster grandparenting – Being a foster grandma or grandpa can be wonderfully rewarding for you and a child who needs the support and wisdom of a senior mentor.
- Community gardens – Do you have some gardening skills you’d love to use in support of a community garden? From seed preservation to staking tomatoes to weeding—depending on your interest and abilities—community gardens are always in need of helpers.
- Food delivery – Whether you can drive, prepare meals, or offer organizational support, there are opportunities for volunteering at many levels for organizations such as Meals on Wheels. You can always do as much or as little as you wish or are able to.
- Habitat for Humanity – This is just one example of a charitable organization that depends on volunteers at a wide range of levels. You can engage in home-building projects but if that is not realistic for you, you can volunteer at their retail store or help behind the scenes with administrative tasks—all of which supports an important mission.
These are just a few of the many ways you can volunteer. There are opportunities for people who have physical limitations, so don’t assume that you won’t be helpful based on your own needs or health conditions.
Benefits of Volunteering in Retirement
Volunteering helps everyone, but it has definite benefits for the senior volunteer as well. For example, volunteering provides:
- A sense of meaningful purpose – The act of volunteering fulfills you at a very basic, human level.
- Opportunities for movement – Even at a slow pace, getting out into the community to engage with people and activities keeps your body from stagnating.
- Greater self-confidence – Sometimes, in retirement, people lose their sense of meaningful self-worth. Having left the workplace and perhaps raised a family, they now wonder if they are still needed and valuable. Volunteering will help you understand your value in no uncertain terms.
- Enhanced mental health – Volunteering combats isolation and can lift a sense of depression and allay anxious feelings. Seeing how you impact other people or organizations in need can provide a meaningful perspective.
- Sharp cognitive health – An active brain stays healthy. There is evidence that staying engaged and active is one way to lower risks of dementia.
- Development of social bonds – Meeting people, developing new relationships, finding a niche in the community—all these things help seniors’ sense of self-worth and allay loneliness and isolation.
Whatever volunteer activity feels right for you is worth trying. You might be surprised at how it can change your perspective.
Call Buckner Retirement Services Today for Opportunities for Volunteering in Retirement
We love nothing more than to encourage and assist our residents as they pursue their interests and seek fulfillment in their retirement years. We can provide transportation and the support you need to pursue volunteer opportunities.
To learn about volunteer opportunities in any of our Buckner locations, call 214.227.7182 or fill out our online contact form. We’d love to hear from you.