The Bureau of Labor recently looked at volunteerism across the nation on a typical day and found that seniors comprise the largest volunteer demographic.
Many seniors are in a unique position of not only having more time to offer but also specialized knowledge and skills. In other words, you could be a huge asset to the volunteer organizations here in Oklahoma City.
What are the benefits of volunteering for seniors and how can you get started with a local organization or effort? We’re here to help. Read on for our guide to volunteering in your golden years.
Volunteering Benefits for Seniors
From connecting with other generations to finding purpose in your 70s and 80s, volunteering can yield life-changing results. Let’s talk about why senior community involvement is a positive thing.
Staying Connected
Just like attending activities at Morada Southridge can help you connect with your neighbors, volunteering can help you connect with people from all over Oklahoma City.
Having different outlets for socialization is a great way to combat isolation and meet people of different ages and walks of life. Plus, you’re bound to learn something new each day with a diverse group of friends.
Boosting Mental Health
The National Alliance on Mental Illness highlights some of the impressive benefits of volunteering. These include things like:
- Lower stress levels
- Increased happiness
- Enhanced confidence
Good mental health is part of a holistic approach to your overall health and well-being. Engaging in activities like volunteering may support better long-term outcomes.
Getting Active
Physical activity is another important component of your overall health and well-being. Contrary to popular belief, classic exercise isn’t the only way to maintain an active lifestyle.
Many volunteer opportunities require you to engage in light physical activity, such as walking or mild lifting. Incorporating these activities into your week may help you maintain physical skills like balance and strength.
Finding Purpose
You’ve likely filled many roles in your life, whether at home or in your career. As a retiree, you have the opportunity to choose what role you’d like to play in your community.
Giving back to those in need is a great way to imbue your life with meaning. Plenty of organizations could use your time and skills to make the world a better place.
Navigating Senior Volunteer Opportunities
Now that you know you want to volunteer, it’s time to figure out how to navigate your options. Here are the top questions to ask yourself when looking for volunteer opportunities.
What Are Your Skills?
It’s often useful to start by thinking about what skills and knowledge you have to offer. Take, for example, a senior with a background in education. They would be well-suited to volunteer with kids and young adults looking for supplemental learning opportunities.
What Are Your Interests?
Unlike applying for a job, volunteering opportunities aren’t limited by what you would put on your resume. Now is a great time to explore avenues that you’ve always had an interest in. For example, maybe you’ve always loved animals, and you want to try your hand at working with dogs and cats in your local animal shelter.
How Much Can You Commit?
Some volunteer organizations allow their volunteers to drop in whenever they have the time. Others may expect volunteers to commit a certain number of hours a week. Make sure you’re choosing a position that aligns with the time and energy you can realistically offer.
What Accommodations Do You Need?
Volunteering offers a great opportunity for community engagement for retirees, but many seniors may require certain accommodations. For example, make sure you’re taking your physical health into consideration. Not all roles may be well-suited to your mobility needs.
Types of Volunteer Opportunities in Oklahoma City
According to Volunteer Match, countless organizations in Oklahoma City could use your help. Here are just a few of the types of organizations you can choose from and the roles they may be looking to fill.
People-Oriented Organizations
Many organizations focus on the welfare of individuals in the community. Examples include:
- CASP (Community After School Program)
- Choice Hospice
- Feed the Children
- Suited for Success
People-oriented organizations often offer services like education and essentials for people in need. You can also find organizations that focus on specific demographics.
Community Improvement Organizations
What if you’re looking for a way to improve your community? A few organizations that offer that opportunity include:
- Adopt a City Street
- OKC Beautiful
- Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement
Many of these organizations are looking for hands-on help to clean up areas like parks and waterways. However, they may also need to fill fundraising or administrative roles.
Animal Welfare Organizations
As a pet-friendly community, Morada Southridge is home to many animal lovers. Whether or not you’re a pet owner, you may enjoy working with animals through organizations such as:
- Safe Haven Animal Rescue
- Blue HAWK (Helping Animals with Kindness)
- OKC Animal Welfare
- Pet Food Pantry of OKC
Once again, these organizations tend to need hands-on help with things like walking dogs or cleaning kennels. However, they may also want volunteers to raise funds or plan events.
Religious Organizations
Perhaps you feel called to volunteer because of your religious beliefs. Many of the volunteer organizations in Oklahoma City have religious affiliations, such as:
- Oklahoma United Methodist Circle of Care
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City
One of the easiest ways to volunteer in a way that aligns with your faith is to start with your church. Find out if your parish or religious organization serves the community and how you can help.
Engage With Your Community Here in Oklahoma City
If you want an active retirement lifestyle and to give back to your community, volunteering is a great option to consider. Use this guide to find the best volunteer organizations and roles for you.
By choosing Morada Southridge as your assisted living community, you automatically opt for an active lifestyle. From our activity calendar to our wellness program, we prioritize connection and wellness every single day. Contact us today to schedule a tour and discover if Morada Southridge is the right Oklahoma City assisted living community for you.
