THINKING ABOUT TODAY’S OLDER ADULT AS VOLUNTEERS

These days we are all living longer and healthier lives. Long gone are the days when people thought of retirement as simply a time in life where you would sit back, put your feet up and take it easy.  Today, many retired people find that they are even more active than they were when they were actually working. Canadians in the second half of their lives represent a growing force that is ripe with potential. Many have discovered the fulfillment and satisfaction of volunteering after 50 years of age.

Older adults are always in demand as volunteers as they bring so many qualities and life experiences which are highly prized in the voluntary sector.

Older adults bring:

• a set of skills and experience
• highly developed communication skills
• bring wisdom and perspective
• loyalty and commitment
• greater flexibility
• patience

In a study commissioned by Volunteer Canada, Manulife Financial and Health Canada, Dr. Neena Chappell, Director of the Centre on Aging, University of Victoria, examined the links between volunteering and health. Dr. Chappell concluded, “People who give their time to a volunteer activity, especially if it involves helping others, are happier and healthier in their later years.” In addition she suggests, “volunteering is a people-to-people business. A lot of benefit comes from being in touch with others and having an impact on their lives.”

VOLUNTEERING is a great way to:

• put free time to good use
• meet new people
• cultivate personal growth
• gain new experiences
• take on new challenges
• get a new perspective on your own problems
• feel good and build self-esteem
• fulfill the need to be needed
• take pride in sharing your knowledge and abilities
• keep your body active
• keep your mind active
• stay healthy
• have fun

The KEY to successful volunteering is to find an opportunity that will complement your lifestyle, suit your personality, and is of personal interest to you.

Not sure where to focus? Let your personality and interests guide you.

Are you …                                                       Consider …

GETTING STARTED:

• Contact an organization you already know and have an interest in
• Tell your friends and relatives of your interests – they will delighted to offer suggestions – or recruit you to their cause
• Contact or visit Volunteer Saskatoon – we can offer suggestions and provide you with information and what you need to know
• Search for organizations or a cause that interests you on-line.
• Read posters and calendars at the library, your place of worship, or pay attention to ads in the newspaper or on the radio and or TV

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Volunteering today involves much more than just stepping forward. Charities and on-profit organizations take much care in matching volunteers to positions. This professional approach is intended to ensure a positive and safe experience for everyone.

When you approach an organization as a prospective volunteer you should expect to go through several steps:

• An application process
• An interview
• Screening
• Orientation and training

VOLUNTEERING – experience personal fulfillment and satisfaction – and a lot of fun!

FOR CHARITIES AND NON-PROFIT ORGANZATIONS:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SUCCESSFULLY ENGAGING OLDER ADULTS
AS VOLUNTEERS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION

Statistically, older volunteers – the 65+ population of today – aren’t volunteering at very high rates but when they do they are contribution consistently more time than any other age group.  This appears to tell us that volunteering, for older adults, is an “all or nothing” kind of choice – either they do none at all or they do tons of it. As Baby Boomer age, they want more from their volunteer experience, are highly skilled, and are finding themselves “sandwiched” between caring for their parents and their children and grandchildren.

Here are just a few of the Volunteer Management Implications of this trend:

• Volunteers want to know how their efforts will bring about change – are we providing this information/including it in our recruitment and retention strategies?
• We must allow room for input from our volunteers in the planning and design of programs and volunteer roles.  Our organizations must be ready to hear what this generation has to say.
•  Do we have short-term and episodic volunteer positions – and understand the flexibility that these volunteers desire?
• Volunteer Managers and Coordinators must develop family volunteer opportunities to meet the needs of the “sandwich generation”.
• Recognition methods need to be revisited to ensure that the incentives offered are meaningful to this group. Allowing the older adult the opportunity to learn something new or participate in an educational component can be a meaningful reward.

TIPS for recruiting older adult volunteers:

• Stress the unique contribution someone could make by volunteering
• Provide evidence of success so far
• Be informative without being too detailed
• Describe the choices available
• Use larger print
• Make it easy for people to contact the organization to find out more
• Ensure that the message appeals across all ethnic groups
• Show pictures/images that give an idea of what volunteering is about
• Don’t use words which imply that you are only looking for younger people
• Be positive and up-beat.

When people reply to your advertisement or personal approach:

• Be ready to respond to telephone enquiries in and out of office hours
• Suggest an informal meeting
• Remember that they will be nervous – the key words are ‘informal’ and ‘efficient’
• Find out what motivates them and what their interests and skills are
• Suggest a wide range of suitable opportunities – make the matching as personalized as possible
• Don’t be constrained by preconceptions about what an older person can do
• If they have commitments (e.g. providing back-up care for their grandchildren) they may be reluctant to volunteer. Tackle this head on by discussing how you both would cope with this
• Explain that vetting is necessary but try not to make it too heavy-handed
• Suggest ‘tasters’ or short-term periods of work if that seems appropriate.
• Be positive and up-beat
• Perhaps use the induction/training as the method of selection.

TIPS for retaining older volunteers:

• Provide regular supervision
• Give tasks that are challenging, interesting and important
• Publicly recognize their contribution
• Adapt as their interests and capabilities change
• Involve them in decision making
• Provide feedback about the organization’s achievements
• Aim for a friendly, family-like atmosphere
• Invite them to social events