Volunteering time is a time-proven method of getting out of your personal situation and positively affecting the lives of others. This is true for people of all ages. Seniors also benefit from giving their time and abilities volunteering. In the Madisonville, Tennessee area, there are numerous opportunities for seniors to volunteer, whether it is through a church, the Salvation Army, a local food bank, or some other local organization. When seniors volunteer, they experience the joy and fulfillment of giving, plus some other psychological benefits shown here.
Higher Level of Well-Being
According to one scientific study, seniors who engaged in more hours of volunteering experienced higher levels of well-being. It didn't matter what organizations or how many organizations the senior participants volunteered at. It didn't even matter how much the volunteering appeared to benefit others. Seniors who volunteered rated their own health at a higher level than those who didn't volunteer. They experienced less depression and were able to function independently.
Improved Mental Health
How does volunteering improve mental health? For one thing, it involves social interaction, which is a way to lift a senior's spirit up and help take their mind out of its usual ways of thinking. Volunteering gives seniors a way to make new acquaintances. Even if they are only passing acquaintances, meeting new people stimulates different parts of the brain and opens up avenues for better mental health.
Volunteering also gives seniors a sense of purpose. If they are no longer earning wages or actively taking care of a family, they may feel like they no longer benefit society. This can quickly lead to feelings of depression. Volunteer opportunities, such as handing out food at a food pantry is a way seniors can feel needed and necessary.
It's easy to feel bored, listless, and lonely sitting alone at home, so going out to volunteer helps lift the gloom and stave off loneliness and depression. Social interaction helps relieve the tension that can build up during social isolation.
Stronger Relationships
Senior citizens often volunteer along with other people they are close to, such as a caregiver or a close family member. Volunteering together is an excellent way to strengthen existing relationships. Working together toward a common goal gives people a bond that is not easily broken. They can overcome challenges together, learn from each other, and be productive together. Getting outside of their comfort zone during a volunteering project is an excellent way for seniors and caregivers to spend time together, resulting in better, healthier relationships.
Let Your Loved Ones Be More Active with Help from Senior Helpers Madisonville
The benefits of volunteering cannot all be measured or predicted, but it is certain that volunteering is a way to add variety and social interaction into your senior loved one's life. At Senior Helpers Madisonville, we offer in-home care to provide seniors with another level of companionship and assistance. We believe our care also helps improve the well-being of our senior clients. Contact us to learn more about our services available in Knoxville, Maryville, Madisonville, Loudon, and Harriman, Tennessee.