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Beyond Retirement: Volunteering

One of the biggest challenges with retirement is deciding what comes next. The founding minister of Riverside Church in New York City advised, “Don’t simply retire from something; have something to retire to.”

Many older adults are putting that adage into action by volunteering. Almost 30% of those 65 and over do some type of volunteering; in 2021, retirees accounted for roughly 920 million volunteer hours. With age comes hard-won wisdom and life experience, and for many seniors, volunteering is a meaningful way to share that wealth of knowledge while enriching their own lives. To celebrate International Volunteer Day (December 5), let’s look at the many ways seniors can make a difference – and why volunteering is beneficial to older adults.

The unique value seniors bring

With decades of life experience, seniors have navigated challenges, celebrated milestones, and learned lessons. For example, seniors can:

• Tutor others in literacy skills and academic subjects, relating how those skills help throughout life.
• Assist at local libraries or schools, bringing joy and enthusiasm as well as helping hands.
• Support community organizations, such as food banks or shelters, organizing donations drives and outreach.
• Visiting hospitals or senior centers, offering companionship and providing emotional support to those in need.

The benefits of volunteering for seniors

Volunteering isn’t just about giving back. Engaging in meaningful activities can have lasting positive effects on physical, mental, and emotional well-being, especially for seniors.

• Physical benefits. Staying active is a key part of healthy aging, and volunteering offers a gentle way to stay physically engaged. Research has found that volunteering reduces the risk of physical or cognitive decline, chronic conditions, and mortality. Many volunteer roles involve some level of movement which can help maintain mobility, strength, and balance.
• Mental benefits. Keeping the brain engaged is crucial for mental sharpness, especially in later years. Recent research revealed that regardless of race or background, volunteering promotes executive brain function – those mental processes that plan, focus, remember, and prioritize. Volunteering provides opportunities to learn new skills, solve problems, and stay mentally active.
• Emotional benefits. Feeling a sense of purpose is vital for emotional well-being at any age, and for seniors, volunteering can provide that purpose. An independent study found that older adults who volunteered improved their wellbeing across the board. After two years, 78% of participants reported they were less depressed, 88% had decreased feelings of isolation, and 71% found companionship. Being able to contribute to a cause they care about, or simply knowing they’ve made a positive difference in someone’s life, can boost self-esteem and promote happiness.

Volunteering also offers seniors the opportunity to create a legacy. Whether it’s imparting wisdom to a younger generation or supporting causes to benefit the community at large, those who volunteer have a positive impact that can extend far beyond their own lifetimes.

To all the incredible older adults who dedicate their time and energy to making the world a better place: thank you. Your generosity and compassion shape our communities in profound ways.

If you’re a senior considering volunteering, know that your contributions are not only valuable—they are transformative, for you and for those you help.