Independent living communities are full of aging people who are still able to take care of themselves and go about their lives like they always have. For many residents, they are retired and enjoying time without the responsibility of work; however, not going to work like they did for decades often leads to boredom and even a feeling of worthlessness. This eventually has the chance to lead to more serious conditions both mentally and physically.
Benefits of Volunteering
A commonality that active Texas seniors have is that they volunteer in different organizations. From working at a local hospital as a greeter or helping teachers at local schools with tutoring, volunteering offers tons of benefits to people of any age but especially over 65.
It is Simply Good for You
This may sound overused but it is true – volunteering is simply good for you mentally, physically and emotionally. Your self-confidence is in check because you can do something to benefit others not to mention something you do well. The end result is good, mental and emotional health. As for your physical health, an article in a 2013 Harvard Health Publications noted a Carnegie Melon Study showing a correlation between volunteering and lower blood pressure. “In the Carnegie Mellon study, 200 hours of volunteering per year correlated to lower blood pressure,” the article stated.
It Allows You to Do Something You Love
One of the best things that you can do after retiring is volunteer in a position that uses your professional expertise. With the longevity of your professional or work experience, you have a lot to offer an organization. For example, retired physicians like to volunteer in hospital settings doing something as easy as greeting people as they enter the hospital or helping with patients; accountants enjoy helping organizations provide free tax preparation to the underprivileged during tax season. See where we are going with this? The opportunities are endless.
It Promotes Interaction with Others
Some senior citizens tend to withdraw from society as they age or experience dramatic loss in their lives. Volunteering encourages interaction with others giving anyone who participates the chance to be around others and make new friends who enjoy the same activities.
It Provides Satisfaction
There is nothing better than feeling satisfied or fulfilled from doing something that helps someone else. Volunteering provides satisfaction in knowing you did something for someone else instead of yourself.
It Gives the Younger Generations a New Attitude towards Senior Citizens
A common misnomer about senior citizens is that they are too old to do anything. That could not be further from the truth. Volunteering gives the younger generations a new attitude towards senior citizens. Not only are many senior citizens in better physical shape than most, they are also sharp as a tack and have much more life experience than most. Volunteering for a group, especially one that has a lot of younger volunteers, shows the others that age is truly a state of mind and that senior citizens have a lot to offer.
Ways to Volunteer in Plano TX
If you want to volunteer but are not sure where to start, here, there are a number of ways to volunteer in Plano TX with non-profit organizations. Here is just a handful:
Meals on Wheels Collin County
Meals on Wheels is a long-standing nationwide organization that provides meals for seniors who are unable to prepare their own meals or do not have access to the necessities to do so. This organization needs 75 volunteers to deliver 700 meals to homebound seniors across Collin County each day. In addition to drivers/deliverers, the organization needs volunteers to assemble to meals, work in the office, and be available to help during bad weather.
Volunteers in Plano
Volunteers in Plano is a program organized through the City of Plano that works with schools, faith based and government programs, and non-profit programs to provide tons of volunteers for the programs.
Animal Shelters
Animal Shelters are a great place to volunteer especially if you are a pet lover but do not have a pet at home. Animals are proven to lower the blood pressure and reduce stress.
Keep Involved
Volunteering is one of the best ways to stay involved by participating in something that you love or for which you have passion. The best thing is that non-profit organizations are always in need of help. Find something you want to do and jump right in.
Discovery Village at Alliance Town Center offers a variety of senior living programs to keep seniors healthy and active. Learn about our senior living options and amenities today when you contact us at 817.203.8000.
