We know volunteering makes us “feel good” but numerous studies also document the link between volunteer activities and increased physical and mental health for seniors.
One study conducted by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research looked at the impact of volunteering for almost 13,000 American adults age 50 and over. The study found that participants who volunteered 100 or more hours a year “had reduced risk of mortality and physical functioning limitations, higher physical activity, and better psychosocial outcomes.” Positive psychosocial outcomes included greater sense of optimism and purpose in life, and less depression, loneliness or isolation.
In addition, other research points to volunteering as a way to prevent cognitive impairment as we age. In other words, volunteering can help us live longer and feel better while we do it!
Seniors make up a large portion of our volunteer corps at the Wendy and Avron B. Fogelman Jewish Family Service, the social services arm of the Memphis Jewish Community Center. Some of our senior volunteers have generations-long connections to Memphis, while others are recent transplants to the Memphis area. We are grateful for every one of them, their skills and enthusiasm!
While we welcome adults of all ages to our volunteer programs, seniors in particular bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to volunteering. Many are motivated by a desire to “give back” to the community that has gifted them and their families with so much.
Seniors volunteer for many reasons.
These can include:
- Helping others
- Learning something new
- Meeting new people
- Making a difference
- Sharing your skills
- Doing something meaningful for the community
- Serving as an example of Jewish values to the next generation
- Having fun
Whatever your motivation, senior volunteering is an awesome way to find meaningful engagement in the “third stage” of life!
The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Right now, our greatest volunteer needs at the Wendy and Avron B. Fogelman Jewish Family Service/MJCC are:
- Drivers who can drive Jewish seniors and Jewish adults with disabilities to/from appointments, shopping and programs here at MJCC. This is to augment our very busy Shalom Shuttle transportation service.
- Volunteers who can assist staff in packing up donated fruit or produce on Thursdays for distribution to client households.
- Volunteers to help with registration and check-in for Pickleball Palooza, September 25-29.
