Senior Volunteers

For a vast majority of seniors who volunteer, their community service helps define who they are. According to research conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care® network, nearly 100 percent of North American senior volunteers say that, when compared to other things they do in their lives, volunteering is important. One in five senior volunteers says it is the most important thing they do.

For more information about senior volunteering, explore the following articles.

  1. 1

    Volunteer Stories

    For true senior heroes, compassion seems to grow exponentially with age. Here you’ll meet some inspiring movers and shakers who generously share their time and talents with others to make their community a better place. Watch Volunteer Story Video
  2. 2

    Volunteering Benefits

    Volunteering provides many seniors with a sense of purpose, which can lead to numerous health benefits, particularly for seniors with chronic conditions.
  3. 3

    10 Ways a Senior Can Volunteer

    Senior volunteers can make a difference through community service well into their elderly years by following a few simple guidelines.
  4. 4

    How Volunteering is Helping Seniors and the Economy

    Volunteering benefits the economy as much as it does the seniors who reach out. The recession has led seniors to volunteer more to help others in need.
  5. 5

    Why Seniors Volunteer

    Senior volunteers are finding ways to use their lifetime of skills and experience to make an impact on issues they care about and serve their communities.
  6. 6

    Where to Volunteer

    Opportunities to volunteer are everywhere. If you're wondering where to volunteer or how to get involved, these resources can help get you started.

Thoughts from others

  1. January 17, 2012 at 11:06 am | Posted by Christine Hammond

    I would love to volunteer at your center or with children.

  2. February 3, 2012 at 01:59 pm | Posted by Cecilia

    Hello, my name is Ceclilia Matute 47 years old i leave in Queens..i have couple hrs off and i like to know how can get involve or volunteer to help the senior or the communities. I appreciate your info. Thank You Cecilia

  3. February 12, 2012 at 03:42 pm | Posted by rita hess

    Nomination for Irma Updyke, who is 99 1/2 years old and still volunteering her services at the Bob Michaels V. A. clinic. She has been volunteering at various organizations includingThe American Legion Auxiliary. I believe she is now down to 20 or 25 hours a week. Thank you Rita Hess

  4. February 13, 2012 at 05:30 pm | Posted by Madeline dibello

    On saturday February 11 I went to my church Our Lady Of the Mountain to participate in a Foldathon to fold clothes

  5. February 14, 2012 at 04:55 pm | Posted by Brenda Roberts

    I want to commend Marilyn Bender who is a volunteer at Least of These in Nixa, MO. Not many people will give 10 to 15 hours a week to help people who have no way of helping themselves. She works at this facility in many capacities. Her heart is one of service. Please consider her as very deserving of this award. Thank you.

  6. February 16, 2012 at 05:06 am | Posted by Volunteering Fills Void, Generates Personal Benefits, According to Home Instead Senior Care Network Volunteer Survey | Adsinstyle.Com

    [...] But so many older adults are proving that stereotype wrong, continuing to stay active by volunteering for a number of humanitarian and charitable organizations. Those who volunteer say that giving back [...]

  7. February 16, 2012 at 12:02 pm | Posted by MONEY® Money News » Volunteering Fills Void, Generates Personal Benefits, According to Home Instead Senior Care Network Volunteer Survey

    [...] live miles apart and don’t know one another, but the two do share one thing in common. They are volunteers who have discovered the personal benefits of giving back by donating their time and talents to [...]

  8. February 16, 2012 at 10:42 pm | Posted by Volunteering Fills Void, Generates Personal Benefits, According to… | | Jobs In TallahasseeJobs In Tallahassee

    [...] live miles apart and don’t know one another, but the two do share one thing in common. They are volunteers who have discovered the personal benefits of giving back by donating their time and talents to [...]

  9. February 19, 2012 at 03:54 pm | Posted by cathy blazic

    Jeanne McKim is a volunteer at out school, Christ the King in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She is an amazing person...working with children..helping out wherever/whenever the need arises. She listens to children read, helps them with their work, provides an xtra pair of hands on the playground or in the preschool room. We are so fortunate to have the pleasure of her presence at our school. We are all richer for having known her tireless energy and her giving heart.

  10. February 20, 2012 at 09:57 pm | Posted by Arnold Park

    Arnold & his many volunteers have made it possible for people to have access to getting in & out of their homes by buiding wheelcahir ramps...a great service to the community.. I nominate him & all the volunteers....

  11. February 25, 2012 at 03:23 pm | Posted by Kandace

    Frances and Charles Bennett work with various non profits. Our experience with these two stellar individuals is that they always do what they commit to do and over deliver as key volunteers. As board members for a statewide children's non profit they will travel wherever they are needed to get the job done right the first time. Sometimes I wonder if they have clones as their presence is so strong strong in our community by volunteering with so many organizations. They are changing both the lives of people in need in our community and have a huge financial impact on the bottom line of organizations as their volunteer hours are immense.

  12. February 28, 2012 at 12:02 pm | Posted by Trudy

    A friend told me Wally Crispyn had been nominated as an outstanding volunteer. I wanted to add comments and support to his nomination. Where can I find his nomination? Thanks

    • February 28, 2012 at 08:01 pm | Posted by ckoehler

      Here is a link to Wally's nomination: http://www.salutetoseniorservice.com/senior-hero-nominations/walter-wally-c/ Cat Koehler Home Instead Senior Care

  13. February 29, 2012 at 12:52 pm | Posted by Sondra Phillips

    I would like to nominate Joan Mavis for outstanding volunteer. She is an 85 year old woman, has volunteered for the Food Basket in Mountain Home Arkansas for the last 20 years. She has remarkable energy and people skills. Everyone who meets her is just amazed at her energy, her selflessness, and of course her smile. She is one remarkable lady and we alll love her!

  14. February 29, 2012 at 09:28 pm | Posted by Volunteering part of “Family DNA” for our very our Beverley McClelland – Downsview

    [...] why Beverley, a former public health nurse who managed a staff of 30 nurses working with seniors, hasn’t slowed down since retirement, helping to develop and deliver programs with her local aging council, serving on the board of [...]

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  16. March 7, 2012 at 07:39 pm | Posted by Janet Roach

    At a recent meeting of our OWLS (Older, Wiser, Livelier, Seniors), we were asked if any of the 60 of us DIDN'T know of SALLY KUTCHER'S (SHE'S NOT A MEMBER), volunteerism. Not a hand was raised. A few years ago, we did nominate her for our City of Thousand Oaks Senior Volunteer of the Year and she tied with another dedicated candidate. Sally has always been a "caregiver". She has a handicapped suster that has always been a top priority for her even while raising her 4 children and working at the family business. Sally started the "Helping Hands" group at St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church (where the OWLS meet) many years ago. She has a dedicated crew of volunteers, but does a good deal of the work herself. Besides organizing home visits, doctor & hospital trips, medical equipment, luncheons after funerals, etc. rummage sales, & other fund raisers, she also finds time to hold "Thank you" parties for her volunteers AND the people she has helped throughout the year!!

  17. March 11, 2012 at 05:24 pm | Posted by Anne

    Att. Jean-Guy Souliere; I don't know where you surveyed these 400 volunteers but your numbers are way off. have you checked all Hospitals, casinos, in Edmonton alone.I do casinos on regular bases and see many of the same seniors there. I do knitting, crocheting, sewing quilts, for the Miss. Hospital, Mustard Seed, Hope Mission, J.P. Wellness centre. Many years,ago I made between 30 to 50 quilts a year for Y.E.S.S & Hope Mission also I sewed squares together, that seniors had knitted or crocheted into squares ,blankets for the Bissel Centre, YWCA and before that for Anne's Yarn Shop before she sold it and the YMCA took over, which were given to Hosp. & seniors in need. I stopped counting after 300 blankets, I am now making wheelchair lap robes for Hosps. as I volunteer at the casinos. I keep track of the hours of volunteering, for years 2005 =1260hrs, next 3 years I was working at auctions, and travelling a lot and missioary work. 2006=726, 2007=529, 2008=617,2009=1001hrs, 2010=1073hrs, 2011=1250hrs.so you see the picture I am talking about, there are many many more volunteers not counted in your servey.I am not boasting,2008 when I got my 10th year pin (4000hrs}at the Miss. a lady house bound had a pin for 9000 hrs, she made baby sets, {bonnet, sweeter, booties}. thanks for listening to me, I am sure volunteer hours if all were counted would match 75% of the working people.

  18. March 11, 2012 at 07:24 pm | Posted by Marilyn Frasso

    Louise Frasso has volunteered for many years. She has helped seniors with their taxes through Encore and also helped with Meals On Wheels.

  19. March 12, 2012 at 02:50 pm | Posted by marilyn mccreedy

    i would like to nominate Deloris Grier of the First United Methodist Church of Royal Oak . She is a very special person. She takes care of the sack lunch proram for the homeless at our church also had a wonderfull Thanksgiving and Christmas sit down dinners for the homeless.She is a great person and always wears a smile. dinners with all the trimings Thank you Deloris.............marilyn

  20. March 12, 2012 at 05:03 pm | Posted by Eleanor Moseley

    Hey folks, I wanted to give Michelle Williams of Irondale, Alabama a big shout out for awesome volunteering. We need more like her. Her compassion is a God send. Keep going and growing in Christ.......Eleanor M. of Birmingham

  21. March 14, 2012 at 09:33 am | Posted by marcella warren

    Arch spencer has been a model in our town for many years and deserves to be honored.

  22. March 15, 2012 at 01:19 am | Posted by Karinne T.

    Ruthie Schoenberger is the greatest volunteer ever! She always gives up her time to help others - no questions asked. She is always more than willing to lend a helping hand and makes sure she is available to everyone around her.

  23. March 15, 2012 at 04:11 pm | Posted by Frances B. King

    Gil Pelletier has given a great deal of his time since he has been retired to volunteering in so macalny ways; one being delivering Meals on Wheels to shutins. He has volunteered his services to many organizations whereever he is needed. He always has a smile and a contageous sense of humor. It is a pleasure to be around him. He makes the world a better place. I feel proud to call him "my friend".

  24. March 17, 2012 at 09:28 am | Posted by Bob Walker

    I have been a volunteer at Warren Memorial Hospital for 12 years.I am chairman of the ways and means program,and on the auxilliary board. I work every friday in transport services whuch means: I transport patients,take specimens to the Lab etc.Fridays are my favorite day of the week because I enjoy so much helping those in need and being with my fellow volunteers.

  25. March 17, 2012 at 09:34 am | Posted by Bob Walker

    Oh,I almost forgot something very important to me: I also work for Home Instead in Winchester,Virginia,This is another rewarding experience for me,caring for those in need. this is a great place to work,and the office staff is above reproach.They are extremely professional in all they do.

  26. March 17, 2012 at 07:31 pm | Posted by Anne Rooks

    Angie Davis gives many hours weekly. She loves working with adults and children.

  27. March 25, 2012 at 09:54 pm | Posted by arlene okoshken

    Dottie Mazine, of Weston, Florida, is well known as a volunteer who has passion, love and good will. Ten years ago, she began a group, called the 55+ club, for people who wanted and needed some more socializing than they already had - some of whom were very lonely and didn't know how to engage with others on their own. Each Wednesday, the initial ten members met and had lunch together at local restaurants, etc.....today, that small group has grown to 150, and it is underwritten by the town of Weston. Dottie passionately prepares activities for the group to do, i.e., taking one or two night bus trips to areas of interest and/or visiting an area of south Florida not known to many people. She has a Board that works as professionally with as much care as Dottie. She has brought people together who have become friends and see each other other on non-club days, as well as helping each other in wonderful and difficult times. Quietly, Dottie has given people, 55+, in Weston ( and now we have members who do not live in Weston!!) an oppportunity to feel "known" and not anonymous.....isn't that what we need in this world. Bravo, Dottie.

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  29. April 30, 2012 at 03:04 pm | Posted by Derick Dzierzanowski

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