Stay Active & Give Back: Volunteer Opportunities for Seniors

After retirement, we’re often faced with the question of what to do with our time. You may choose to focus on health, pick up a new hobby, or consider volunteering. If you’ve ever volunteered your time, you already know what a rewarding experience it can be. If you haven’t, it might be worth considering the benefits of volunteering, and looking for some options near you.

Why Volunteer?

Did you know Baby boomers volunteer more than any other age group, with more than two billion service hours yearly?

The urge to help others is great, but volunteering can benefit you too. Research has shown that overall health rates among older adults who volunteer are higher than those who don’t. Volunteers report greater mobility as well as improved satisfaction with their lives. Seniors also report seeing improvements in their physical health after just a year of volunteering. It can be especially effective for those feeling a sense of isolation or long-term depression.

Did you know being kind can improve your health?

Even more important, the demand for volunteers is growing, so you can be sure your help will be appreciated.

Looking to stay busy after retirement with a paid position? Learn more about job opportunities for seniors here.

Connect With the Right Cause

The most important consideration for new volunteers is finding the right cause. There are plenty of options, from large national organizations to smaller operations in your community. Take a look at some of these popular causes to find the right fit for you.

• AmeriCorps Seniors

  As one of the most popular options for volunteers, AmeriCorps has a great track record for giving people of all ages a way to positively impact the world. But did you know the organization has a branch specifically for seniors? 

  AmeriCorps Seniors allows adults 55 and older to contribute their time as tutors, mentors, and role models to people across the country. With more than 8,000 locations in the US, it’s easy to find an accessible location where you can make a difference. One popular option is their Senior Companion program where you can connect with other older adults and offer companionship to those who need a bit of help with everyday tasks.

• Meals on Wheels

  Meals on Wheels is one of the most well-known organizations that benefits seniors, delivering food and a friendly greeting to older adults who can’t leave home. However, that’s not the only way it impacts seniors' lives.  Through a network of more than 5,000 local programs, it also offers seniors a way to volunteer their time in their own community.

  Making deliveries to hungry seniors near you is one specific task in need. This can be a great option for those who want to add a social dimension to their community work. One major advantage of this organization is that volunteer time can be large or small. If you only have a few hours a week to spare, they’ll be happy for you to lend a hand.

• Feeding America

  While Meals on Wheels is one of the most popular volunteering options out there, it’s not the only way to deliver food to hungry mouths. Feeding America is a hunger-relief organization that focuses on Americans who don’t have enough to eat. Volunteers are invited to donate their time at food banks across the country. There are plenty of volunteering options available, from answering calls, doing administrative work, sorting, and serving food. If you’re a senior with a flexible schedule, you’ll be in particularly high demand as a volunteer.

• National Park Service

  If you’re looking to spend more of your time in the great outdoors, volunteering at a local national park might be just the answer. While park rangers require a more specialized resume, local parks are always looking for volunteers who’d like to lead tours, greet visitors, and distribute information. Best of all, volunteering can get you some noteworthy perks, like a free annual pass to the country’s national park system.

  The best way to connect with your local park is to contact them directly. Ask to speak to a volunteer coordinator who can give you more information about available opportunities.

• Canine Companions for Independence

  Seniors are sometimes hesitant to adopt pets for the long term if they’re not sure how their health and mobility will fare in five, ten, or fifteen years. Luckily, CCI allows you to get all the fun out of raising a puppy without the commitment.

  The way it works is you apply for a puppy, specifying the length of time you’re available to care for it, between eight and eighteen months. The CCI team will match you with a dog and you’ll be responsible for caring for it, training, and socializing it. Volunteers are required to complete monthly progress reports as well as cover all costs of raising the puppy themselves.

  Other options include helping with office work, organizing events, and group dog walking.

Find Opportunities in Your Area

Of course, many of the best volunteering opportunities aren’t big, national organizations but small, locally-run operations. If none of the above options look like a match for you, your next step is to do some research and see what’s available in your area. Try some of the following tips to find leads on volunteer opportunities near you:

• Ask friends and family if they’ve had positive experiences with local organizations
• Get in touch with your local senior center to see if they can help get you connected
• Try googling “volunteer [your city]” and see what results pop up.
• Local Churches also have many opportunities, but often you will need to be a member to volunteer or serve.

Paid work, clubs, and exercise groups can also be great ways to stay active and engaged. Take a look at our list of 110 different activities for seniors for more ideas.

Finding Fulfillment in Volunteer Work

It’s not easy getting a good match with volunteer work, so expect a bit of trial and error before you find the cause that speaks to you. To help improve your chances of finding the right fit, don’t forget to do your homework beforehand. With a bit of patience, you’ll be able to find an organization that lets you put your years of experience to good use.