There's nothing better than helping someone else - and volunteering is an opportunity for seniors to boost their own mental health in the process. Volunteering is a way to give back and get involved with local programs and services while also developing or using existing skills or learning new ones. In this blog post from Senior Helpers St. Louis, we'll look at three ways volunteering can have a positive effect on senior mental health.
Benefits of Volunteering for Senior Mental Health
There are many great benefits to volunteering for both physical and mental health. Volunteering helps lower stress levels, increases happiness and gratitude, and encourages greater connection with people in the community. It also gives seniors a sense of purpose which can help them feel better about their overall life. Here are three of the most significant ways that volunteering can positively impact senior health.
Strengthens Social Connections
Spending time with other people is a great way to foster community and meaningful relationships. Volunteering provides seniors with the opportunity to connect and socialize in environments that might otherwise be inaccessible or difficult to find. Whether it is teaching life skills, visiting hospitals, helping at animal shelters, or serving meals at local soup kitchens, getting involved helps keep seniors stay connected to society and encourages them towards further engagement within the community.
Encourages Cognitive Stimulation
Volunteering also provides seniors with much-needed cognitive stimulation that can help keep their minds active, alert, and engaged. Many volunteer roles require skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, or creative thinking - all activities which are beneficial for maintaining a healthy brain. Some volunteering opportunities may require using technology to complete tasks. This is something that many seniors may not always be familiar with, but could ultimately benefit them in other ways.
Helps Create Meaningful Roles
Finally, volunteering can help create meaningful roles for seniors who may feel that their lives lack purpose due to retired lifestyles and fewer job opportunities. Volunteering provides a unique opportunity for seniors to be valuable contributors to society regardless of their age or specific physical ability. It also gives them a chance to share skills and life experiences with others in a way that few other activities can do – providing great personal satisfaction as well as being beneficial for mental health and wellbeing.
How to Find Local Volunteer Opportunities
There are opportunities available to volunteer, but they are not always easy to find. The local Salvation Army generally offers ways for individuals to get involved with the community, as well as organizations such as the United Way. You could also reach out to local senior centers for information about ways to volunteer in the St. Louis area.
Senior Helpers Provides Premier Senior Care Services
From providing much-needed social connections to adding meaningful roles in society and increasing cognitive stimulation, the advantages of volunteering are vast. It offers an outlet for seniors to make a difference, no matter their age or physical ability – while also improving their own mental health along the way. If you're looking for top-of-the-line senior care services in the St. Louis, Ballwin, Fenton, and Arnold areas, contact Senior Helpers today!