How You Can Volunteer as an Older Adult

Are you finding yourself with more time on your hands? Have you retired and are looking for things to do with your days? There are many ways we can occupy ourselves as we get older. We can start new hobbies, we can travel, and we can spend time with friends and family.

One great and rewarding way to spend our time when we are seniors is to get involved and give our time to help our community and possibly beyond. Do you feel like giving back and helping others? Let’s take a look at how you can get started with volunteering and why you should.

There’s always someone or a cause out there that needs your help.

Do Seniors Volunteer?

Seniors have more time to spare and have valuable experiences and knowledge that can be put to good use. Every year, millions of seniors over 55 in the US volunteer with various organizations, local community services, or even abroad.

In 2022, more than 11 million people in the United States volunteered on an average day, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This statistic highlights the significant contribution of volunteers across the country, demonstrating the continued importance of volunteer work in various sectors. 

The data also emphasize the diversity of volunteer activities, with individuals engaging in a wide range of tasks from supporting education and health services to participating in community and social services.

For more detailed information, you can visit the full report here.

Why You Should Volunteer

Volunteering has proven to be beneficial for seniors who tend to become less active socially and physically as they age. We all know that keeping our minds and bodies active keeps us healthier longer.

Physical Benefits

Taking up volunteering will have you getting out of the house more often than if you didn’t. The level of physical activity will depend on the cause you choose to participate in. Being active later in life keeps our muscles strong and our bones healthy.

Make sure that you are aware of the physical requirements that will be required of you to participate in the volunteer program. For instance, heavy lifting and long hours standing may not be suitable for you.

Social Benefits

As we tend to stay at home more as we get older, that automatically means that we are not as social as we used to be. Remaining social is essential for our general well-being and our happiness. After all, we are social creatures!

Also, it can be difficult to make new friends when we are over 55. While volunteering, you will meet like-minded people that you can become friends with and even plan to socialize with outside the volunteering hours.

Mind and Soul

As we know, volunteering helps others that need it. Did you know that volunteering can be extremely rewarding for you as well? Yes, helping others makes us feel good. You gain a sense of purpose and volunteering can also boost your self-confidence. It just feels good to be needed and providing much-needed help in our communities.

Also, you may even learn new things. We’re never too old to learn. Expanding your mind and knowledge keeps your brain active and younger.

According to research done by the Corporation for National & Community Service, “Older Americans who volunteer frequently live longer and report less disability.”

Ways to Volunteer

Interested in taking up volunteer opportunities? With all the benefits it can bring to your life, why wouldn’t you!

There are countless ways that you can put your free hours to good use. Let’s take a look at some of the volunteer activities that seniors often participate in. Take a look at what you are passionate about, what you care most about, and choose a volunteer program (or several) that best suits your lifestyle and likes.

Feed the Hungry

Local food banks and community centers offer food items and even meals to those that need it. You can help with cooking, serving, and distributing food and meals. Check with community centers in your area for available opportunities.

Meals on Wheels is a well-known nation-wide network with over two million volunteers aiding in meal distribution to the elderly who are homebound and need assistance. If you have your own car and still drive, this can be a good opportunity for you.

Become a Mentor

One great thing about getting older is the knowledge we accumulate throughout the years. Why not use that knowledge and personal experience to help young people grow and thrive?

We may not possess the technological knowledge the younger generations have, but we have lived and we have experiences that can help a younger person make wise decisions about their future.

Look for Community Youth Centers in your neighborhood and ask if they have a mentor program that you can participate in. Let them know your field of expertise and they will match you with young people who can benefit from your mentoring.

Big Sister & Big Brothers is the largest mentoring program in the country that has proven again and again the positive impact that mentoring has on our youth.

Teach

Teaching is also another great way to pass on knowledge and help build the next generations. Check with local schools for volunteer teaching or help with homework opportunities.

Digital Volunteering – Making an Impact from Home

In today’s digital age, you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home to make a difference. Digital volunteering offers a flexible way to contribute to various causes, whether it’s providing online tutoring, offering career advice through virtual mentoring, or assisting nonprofits with social media management. This can be an excellent option for those who may have mobility issues or prefer to limit their outside activities.

Help Military Families and Veterans

Veterans and their families sometimes go through difficult times and need a little extra help. Join the USO, Americorps or other organizations and find out how you can help support military service members and veterans in your area. It may be as simple as greeting military personnel at the airport to making coffee during meetings.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs also offers volunteer programs where you can help homeless veterans and even help with the upkeep of shrines and tributes.

Political Campaigns

Do you take activism seriously? Are you concerned with our government and want to participate? Political campaigns can’t function without a host of volunteers. Knocking on doors, distributing pamphlets, organizing rallies, and making calls to voters are all ways that you can help your favorite political campaign.

Volunteer Abroad

Love traveling? Not ready to hang up your traveling and adventure shoes? Numerous organizations offer volunteer opportunities abroad for senior citizens. Sometimes called a volunteer vacation, these are well-organized trips that cater to a specific need or cause somewhere in the world.

Get to see the world while helping out!

Curious about volunteering abroad? Check out the article Volunteering Abroad Destinations for Active Women Over 50 to see how our Sixty & Me contributor, Sandra Roussy, started her volunteering journey. From teaching English in Ecuador to helping save baby turtles in Mexico, Sandra shares her adventures and offers valuable tips for anyone interested in volunteering abroad. It’s an inspiring read for those looking to make a difference while exploring new places!

Cultural Exchange Programs

For those interested in broadening their horizons and engaging with diverse communities, cultural exchange programs offer a unique volunteering opportunity. Whether through hosting international students, participating in language exchange programs, or helping immigrants integrate into new communities, you can make a significant impact while learning about different cultures.

Share Your Knowledge

Did you own a business before retiring? Are you good with taxes and legal concerns? Retirement doesn’t mean storing away all the valuable knowledge you accumulated throughout your life. Check in your community if you can help people file their taxes or answer legal questions they may have.

Read 6 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Volunteering in Your 60s

Volunteering with Health and Wellness Organizations

Many seniors have a wealth of experience in maintaining health and wellness. You can volunteer with organizations that promote healthy living, such as senior fitness groups, mental health support networks, or local hospitals. Your involvement could include leading exercise classes, offering peer support, or even assisting with patient care.

Help Animals in Need

Love animals and miss having a pet? Animal shelters are always looking for volunteers to help with animal care. You can offer to walk the dogs daily, socialize with the cats, do some administrative work, raise funds, and any other help that they need. Check with the ASPCA or with smaller privately owned shelters in your community.

You can also offer to foster an animal in your home if you have space and energy for it. This way you are temporarily offering a home environment for an animal until they find their forever home.

Protect the Environment

Are you concerned about the environment? There are plenty of ways that you can help the environment by participating in local clean-ups and raising awareness through campaigns in your community.

Advocacy and Fundraising

If you have a knack for organizing and motivating others, consider getting involved in advocacy and fundraising efforts. Either for a local charity or a cause you’re passionate about, you can help organize events, write grant proposals, or participate in fundraising campaigns. Your efforts can help secure the necessary funds and resources to drive meaningful change.

Read 5 Excellent Reasons Why You Should Consider Volunteer Fundraising.

More Resources to Volunteer as a Senior

Here are a few other organizations and nonprofits that offer volunteer opportunities.

AARP

The American Association of Retired People has an easy “volunteer Wizard” that will match you according to your interests and the issues that you care about. Visit the website and gain access to hundreds of volunteer opportunities nationwide.

Senior Corps

“Each year, Senior Corps engages more than 200,000 older adults in volunteer service through its Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, and RSVP programs, enriching the lives of the volunteers and benefiting their communities.”

Experience Corps

Experience Corps, part of AARP, focuses on literacy and academic mentoring for children. This program is specifically designed for adults aged 50 and older to help improve the reading skills of young students. Volunteers work directly in schools, offering a fulfilling way to give back while supporting education.

VolunteerMatch

VolunteerMatch is one of the largest online platforms that connects volunteers with opportunities that match their skills and interests. The site features thousands of volunteer listings, including virtual and in-person opportunities across the United States. You can filter by cause, location, or even skill type, making it easy to find the perfect volunteer role for you.

Elder Helpers

Elder Helpers is an organization that matches volunteers with seniors who need companionship, help with errands, or assistance with daily tasks. This is a great opportunity for those who enjoy one-on-one interaction and want to make a direct impact on the lives of other seniors.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you ever volunteered? Want to start volunteering? What cause or issue most appeals to you and why? Do you have any other ideas to add to our list? Share your volunteer stories with our community. Tell us what you liked most about volunteering. Let’s have a conversation!