Older adults who volunteer experience a better quality of life — that’s what a new study by the corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees programs like AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, found when it examined the health impacts on volunteers 55 and older.
"I am 67 years old and proud," said Rhonda Hollis-Douglass, a senior companion volunteer for nearly six years. "It's very fulfilling to know you’re able to help somebody and make a difference in their life."
She also happens to be helping herself at the same time.
"Every day when I get up now, I have something to look forward to and as far as how I feel, I get excited, and physically, I believe it helps me because it keeps me active," she said.
Hollis-Douglass isn’t the only one who’s feeling good. According to the study, nearly half of Senior Corps volunteers who stayed in the program reported improvements in health and well-being, and more than 60 percent felt less isolated, despite feeling alone “often” initially. And when it comes to isolation, it’s a two way street.
"For our clients, specifically if they didn’t have a senior companion volunteer they may go as many as two weeks without physically seeing another person," said Emily Litchfield with Maricopa County’s Senior Companion program.
Besides providing much needed companionship, volunteers help with rides, food shopping and they provide respite.
