News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A new study from the American Journal of Preventative Medicine shows volunteering seniors are healthier.
The results verify that adults over 50 who volunteer for at least 100 hours a year or about two hours per week have a substantially reduced risk of mortality. They are less likely to develop physical limitations. They have higher levels of subsequent physical activity. They also have an improved sense of well-being later as compared to individuals who do not volunteer.
Aging and Disability Volunteer Services Director Sydney Schuttrow said all the volunteers she sees are passionate.
“The most important thing that we’ve noticed is our volunteers have been able to find an opportunity that helps them feel fulfilled,” Schuttrow said. “It really allows them to feel like they’ve made a difference in their local community.”
Schuttrow said not only does volunteering have physical benefits, but emotional as well. She said it reduces depression, isolation, and helps with socialization. She said it’s also helped break generation barriers.
“We have volunteers amongst all different generations,” Schuttrow said. “They like to get together in small groups and talk, and work on projects together. We even have some volunteers for example for meal delivery and things of that nature that bring their kids or their grandkids along with them for the volunteer experience.”
Because of the pandemic, some seniors have been hesitant to return to volunteering. Schuttrow said there are other ways for them to still be involved.
“They’re still around, we’re still updating them on different activities,” Schuttrow said. “We’ve moved to possible virtual opportunities, like having individuals call some peers that sign up for programs to give some telephone reassurance. [We also] really engage them through update training and some volunteer recognition online as well.”
Volunteers are always needed. Schuttrow said you can contact Aging and Disability at (931) 432-4111 or visit the website to learn more about volunteering opportunities. You can also contact your local UCDD.
