Volunteers Help Others—and Themselves
Studies have found that being active and involved in the community as we age has a direct positive affect on our health and happiness. A number of studies have shown that older adults who volunteer regularly tend to be happier and have fewer illnesses as a group than those who don't volunteer.
Every Thursday, Elaine drives her car to the homes on her Meals on Wheels route on the West Side of Binghamton. Sandy rides along with Elaine; at each stop it is her job to carry the meal into the home with a kind hello to the recipient. Elaine and Sandy have become friends since starting to work together on this route six months ago. They have found that they share a lot in common, especially the care and concern they have for the homebound people they serve.
On Monday mornings Judy volunteers to prepare “breakfast for lunch” at the senior center. Judy’s job typically is to help prepare pancakes, French toast, or waffles. She volunteers with a great team of people at the center who work together to serve breakfast. When she arrives at the kitchen, Judy greets her comrades in the kitchen and checks the menu. It’s her favorite: Belgian Waffles. Judy goes to the refrigerator to pull out the batter and to check on the strawberries and whipped cream that she will need later.
Volunteers like Elaine, Sandy, and Judy are older adults volunteering with older adults. Age, however, doesn’t matter. Anyone with an interest and the desire to help others can discover the joy of working with senior citizens. To get involved as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels or at a Broome County senior center, contact the Office for Aging at 778-2411 or visit us on line at http://www.gobroomecounty.com/senior/volunteer to learn about these and other volunteer opportunities.
Posted: 8/7/2011 7:00 am
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