Volunteerism as a Path to Personal Growth and Fulfillment for Older Adults

By Ginger Elliott, RSVP of the Pioneer Valley

The third act of life refers to the stage of life after retirement.  There is something about it that can be exciting and scary at the same time.  It is a time when we are less strictly defined by our family roles, and there is a good chance that we are receiving a supplemental income that is not connected to any current work. We may find ourselves searching for a deeper meaning in life, now that we are no longer raising children or working full time.  Many of us have more freedom than we have ever experienced before.

During this third act, volunteering presents us with an opportunity to let go of old roles that no longer fit us, seek out new experiences, and find a renewed sense of purpose.  We can continue to feel needed and productive.  We may also gain a new support system, and an increase in confidence and self-image.

Volunteering can give us a chance to try out things that we haven’t had opportunities for in the past or that may have seemed out of reach.  Maybe you chose a career path based on practical reasons rather than on your own individual gifts and interests. Maybe your parents taught you that certain roles were reserved only for men or only for women.

Did you choose a career because you thought it would guarantee financial security?  What might you have done differently, if money were not a deciding factor?  Maybe you made choices about your schedule because you were raising children or because your parents needed help.  It’s quite possible that your own needs had to be secondary.  If that was the case, is it still true now?

As a young person, did you love music and art but followed a different path that you thought was more practical?  Now could be the time to go back to your love!  Perform with a community chorus or orchestra at fundraising concert, or teach a painting class at your local senior center.  Did you enjoy playing store when you were little?  Volunteer at a thrift store or hospital gift shop.  Do you like to organize?  Join the advisory board of a nonprofit agency, or help seniors pay their monthly bills.

As an adult, are you satisfied with the choices you have made?  What regrets do you have?  Do you feel a sense of unfinished business in your life?  Do you feel a restlessness that is telling you it might be time for a change?  At this stage of life, many of us do.

What puts a smile on your face now?  What are the things you do that make you forget about everything else?  Parker J. Palmer, in his book Let Your Life Speak, tells us to “Find the place where your deep gladness meets the world’s great need”.

The possibilities are endless.  The world has many needs.  The opportunities to help are as varied and individual as we are.  Find something that speaks to you and brings you joy.  Don’t be afraid to try something new; if you don’t like it, you can try something else.  Remember, you don’t have to do anything!

Volunteering is generally considered to be an altruistic activity where an individual or group provides services for no financial gain to benefit another person, group, or organization.  Volunteering is often intended to promote goodness and improve the quality of life.

These are wonderful things, of course, but the experience of volunteering often includes the realization that we are receiving as much as we are giving.  Many of the benefits of volunteering are intangible: satisfaction in a job well done and pride in feeling that we are making the world a better place, for example.  But there are also some very specific and concrete benefits to the individual volunteer.

There are social benefits.  Volunteering helps to connect us with others.  It gets us out of the house and leads to a greater sense of purpose.  It gives us the opportunity to make a difference in our communities.

There are emotional benefits. Volunteering helps us to get outside of our own heads.  For many, it reduces the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

There are mental benefits. Volunteering gives us the opportunity to learn new skills and experience different viewpoints.  It brings a change from the routine and exercises our ability to make choices.

Surprisingly, there are also physical benefits to volunteering. Studies have shown that those who volunteer tend to have lower blood pressure and a longer lifespan, for example.

The most satisfying and long lasting volunteer experiences are those in which people have achieved a balance between giving and receiving.  Taking the time to find a volunteer position that is a good fit for you in terms of skills, interests, values, and time is an excellent way to begin.

Once you have identified some volunteer activities that you think will satisfy and engage you, you still need to work out the practical issues.  What are the other obligations and activities that you need and want to make sure there is room for in your life?

How much time do you have to give?  An hour or two a week?  More?  Maybe you would prefer not to have a regular schedule but rather to be on call for special events or circumstances.

Do you have physical limitations?  Can you climb stairs?  Are you unable to stand for extended periods of time?  This should not prevent you from volunteering; it is just that you will need to find a position that can accommodate your needs.

How far are you willing to travel?  Can you drive or get a ride?  Do you need a volunteer site that is accessible by public transportation?

Again, volunteering is not something that you have to do.  It should be something that fits in with the rest of your life and not the other way around.  It should not be a source of stress.  It can and should be something that you look forward to, something that makes you happy, and something that enriches your life.

Would you like help getting started on your volunteer journey?  RSVP of the Pioneer Valley is federally funded through Americorps and locally sponsored by Community Action Pioneer Valley.  In 2023, we celebrated our fiftieth anniversary.  Our mission has always been to enrich the lives of adults 55 and older through volunteer opportunities that are fulfilling and satisfying to the individual while also benefiting our shared community. We currently have close to 400 active volunteers and 51 volunteer site partners in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties.  We specialize in getting to know our volunteers and site partners so that we can help them find the perfect fit.  We know what we’re doing, because over 27% of our active volunteers have served in their current position for 10 years or longer!