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How Volunteerism Boosts Health, Happiness, and Longevity in Retirement

Gardening as one volunteer option
Gardening as one volunteer option

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If you're retired, soon to be joining this illustrious group, or know someone who is, you'll want to consider where and how you will spend your time when you no longer have an official job to go to each day. Retirement can bring much needed stress-reduction, and an opportunity to focus on what matters most to you. Many say, they are busier after they retire, then when they needed to report to work each day. The fact is there will still be 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, and 365 days a year. Choosing how you will spend that time is completely in your control. This is your chance to choose the path that brings you the most reward. Becoming a volunteer is one of the best ways to be both an exceptional giver and an abundant receiver at the same time. Let's dig in to this health-focused beneficial topic and discover how volunteerism can be a part of your regular life.


Types of Volunteerism

While there are no right or wrong types of volunteer work, there are several different ways to classify them. One way to distinguishing volunteer services is to determine the level of commitment. Is it something regularly scheduled and long-term, such as spending time with hospice clients, or spontaneous, one-time or short-term activities. These might include babysitting children for a special event, or parking cars off-site for a surprise birthday party.


A second way to differentiate types of volunteer positions is whether the type of work that is required, Consider whether the work instrumental such as meal preparation or filing paperwork, or cognitively demanding, such as mentoring, tutoring, or emotional support. A third approach to classifying volunteerism is whether it is formal within an organization (non-profit, hospitals, government or schools) or informal (helping a neighbor with errands or organizing meal deliveries for a friend that is ill).


Who Benefits from Retirees Volunteering

To say everyone benefits from retirees volunteering, would not be an understatement. There are many benefits to the retired person themselves, which will be discussed in the next section. Certainly, the person or organization on the receiving end of the volunteer work is rewarded by a task being accomplished or moved toward a goal. Those first two beneficiaries are fairly obvious, but have you considered the benefits to the family, friends, loved-ones, neighbors, and community healthcare workers? Yes, all of these groups of people benefit too. Healthy, motivated, productive people cause less burden on the people who live and interact with retirees also. Healthy people need less healthcare overall which reduces the burden on the health system as well. Volunteering in retirement truly does benefit everyone!


Pros of Volunteering for Retirees

There is a long list of advantages that present themselves when a retiree chooses to volunteer. Who wouldn't want to see these positive gains coming their ways?

  • Social

    • Build new friendships

    • Strengthen sense of belonging in the community

    • Encourages intergenerational connection

    • Provides structure for consistent social interaction

    • Reduces social isolation by keeping retirees connected

  • Mental

    • Enhanced sense of purpose & identity

    • Boosts mood & overall life satisfaction

    • Increased feelings of usefulness & personal value

    • Encourages empathy, compassion & perspective-taking

    • Builds confidence through skill sharpening & leadership roles

  • General Physical

    • Promotes regular movement through activities

    • Helps maintain daily routines & healthy habits

    • Supports cognitive engagement

    • Encourages getting out of the house

    • Reduces sedentary time

  • Disease Prevention

    • Helps maintain healthy blood pressure

    • Promotes circulation & heart healthy habits

    • Supports mobility & balance, reducing fall risk

    • Helps maintain muscle strength through light lifting & setup activities

    • Provides structure that supports other healthy habits such as sleep & eating


Negative Consequences of Volunteering

Although the negative consequences of volunteering are minimal, they are worth mentioning. Most of these can be minimized or eliminated by knowing them in advance and setting clear boundaries on what a retiree will or will not do as a volunteer.


  1. Being taken advantage of

  2. Type of work may not feel meaningful or rewarding

  3. Time commitment may become burdensome

  4. Emotional strain or burnout due to type of work

  5. Organizational challenges such as poor communication


Closing

Volunteering can provide an excellent way for retirees to remain connected to meaningful, rewarding work. As a volunteer, retirees can choose the type of work they desire, select the level of commitment that best fits their lifestyle, and even learn new skills if that is of interest to them. Volunteering benefits the individual in social, mental, and physical ways. It also benefits the circle around a retired person including family, friends, neighbors and even the healthcare community. As an added bonus, if it doesn't work out for you, you can just pick up and try something else. Why not give volunteering a try today?


References


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​​The information provided by the MedReport Foundation is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The MedReport Foundation's resources are solely for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. Always seek professional care from a licensed provider for any emergency or medical condition. 
 

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