Why Volunteer?
Proven health benefits for older Americans
The Corporation for National and Community Service is committed to sharing the health and mental benefits of volunteering for older americans. According to CNCS, “Overall, the elderly make up almost 25 percent of the volunteer population, and if you include the 55-64 demographic, it’s more than 35 percent.”
With almost one in every five Americans projected to be age 60 or older by 2030 – there is a great opportunity to engage older Americans in volunteering as a way to contribute to longer, healthier, more engaged lives.
The organization, A Place for Mom, suggests a handful of reasons that volunteering can revitalize our aging population:
- It helps bridge the generation gap.
- It helps change the way people think about older adults.
- It is good for mental health and can help prevent Alzheimer’s. The National Institute on Aging has reported that participating in social leisure activities and meaningful, productive activities such as volunteering may lower the risk of health problems in seniors, including dementia, as well as improving longevity. Being a volunteer can help keep the brain and the body active, which contributes to continuing cognitive health, according to numerous studies.
- It helps prevent senior isolation and depression.
- It promotes healthy physical activity.
The AARP estimates that up to 17 percent of Americans 55 and older may experience social isolation, and volunteering is a meaningful way to address that.
A SAMPLING OF LOCAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
AARP
1.888.687.2277
Find ways to be of help directly in your community, whether you have 5 minutes, 5 hours or 5 days to give
Bluegrass SHIP Program
1.866.516.3051
SHIP provides assistance to Medicare beneficiaries or anyone aged 60 years old or older in 35 Central, Northern and Northeastern counties. The mission is to help individuals make informed decisions about the programs that affect their quality of life, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Medigap insurance and other benefit programs.
SHIP staff and volunteers receive extensive training in the various public benefit programs.
Foster Grandparent Program (FGP)
859.233.4600 x1284
The Foster Grandparent Program offers seniors age 55 and older opportunities to serve as mentors, tutors, and loving caregivers for children and youth with special and exceptional needs. If you are interested in serving as a Foster Grandparent, you must meet income eligibility guidelines, and you will receive a modest, tax-free stipend to offset the cost of volunteering. Foster Grandparents serve 15 – 40 hours a week, usually 4 hours a day Monday through Friday, serving children directly with one-on-one, hands-on service. Other benefits include reimbursement for transportation, some meals during service, an annual physical, and accident and liability insurance while on duty. Pre-Service and monthly training sessions provided.
Independent Transportation Network — ITN Bluegrass
859.252.8665
All of us have a stake in helping to ensure that older adults and people with visual impairments can remain active once they stop driving. Volunteers help older people stay connected to families, friends, and activities that bring meaning to their lives — and to yours.
Kentucky Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
502.574.6164
Outreach Volunteers set up SMP display tables at community events such as health expos, information fairs, etc to increase awareness about Medicare and Medicaid errors, fraud and abuse. Volunteers distribute Personal Healthcare Journals, brochures and other materials, answer basic questions, refer seniors to other resources.
Liberty Ridge
859.543-9449
Located on 30 rolling acres in the heart of Kentucky bluegrass country, Liberty Ridge Senior Living, Inc. is a non-profit entity established in 1999 as a ministry of Eastland Church to help meet the growing need for quality affordable housing and services for area retirees. Liberty Ridge’s senior living apartments are open people of all faiths.Volunteer opportunities are provided via the life enrichment office which carefully plans and selects daily activities to engage and entertain the residents, as well as encourage lasting bonds between neighbors.
Sayre Christian Village
(859)-303-9974
Sayre Christian Village is a nonprofit senior living community dedicated to providing quality housing, rehabilitation services and long-term nursing care reflecting Christian compassion for everyone.
Sayre Christian Village is actively recruiting volunteers who can offer friendship to residents and their families. Join more than 75 volunteers at SCV who combine to form an award-winning activities program. This may be the opportunity you are looking for to help you express your faith by making a significant and positive impact in the lives of others through Christian service.
SCORE
859.231.9902
Every year, SCORE volunteers help thousands of entrepreneurs start small business and achieve new levels of success in their existing businesses. Volunteering at SCORE is a way for you to give back to your community, connect with fellow business owners, and pass on your knowledge and expertise to a new generation of entrepreneurs in your community.
The Lexington Kentucky Chapter of SCORE is part of a national nonprofit association and a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. SCORE is volunteer-based and provides free professional guidance and education through one-on-one face-to-face, telephone or email counseling to existing and emerging small businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups.
The Lexington Chapter was founded in 1972 Chapter Number 276. The counselors of the Lexington Kentucky Chapter are experienced business owners and managers who volunteer their experience and knowledge to help small business owners and potential small business owners achieve success.
SCORE works with small (500 employees or less) businesses and start-ups. SCORE provides counseling to all small businesses regardless of race, creed or color, excluding no one.
United Way of the Bluegrass/ RSVP Trailblazers
859.233.4460
Looking for ways to give back to your community? Do you love helping kids learn and grow? The RSVP Trailblazers Program may be for you.
The RSVP Trailblazers Program is part of a national initiative that provides volunteer opportunities to persons aged 55 and over who want to remain actively involved in their community.
RSVP Trailblazers’ specific goal is to focus volunteer talents on greater academic success by tutoring, mentoring and sharing life experiences.
RSVP Trailblazers Volunteers have the opportunity to work with children ages 4-18 years performing the following activities:
- Reading to younger students
- Assist younger students with the following: multiplication tables, fractions and division
- Review the following with Head Start students: colors, shapes, numbers and letters
- Tutor reading and mathematics
- Assist in a computer lab
- Serve in an English as a Second Language classroom
- Mentor students at mealtimes; share stories, life experiences and polite manners
- Assist in a specific subject you know best (Science, Music, Art, Family & Consumer Science, etc.)
- Help coach a sports team
- Volunteer with homework prep
- Work with youth on their instruction and assignments in their vocational fields
- Mentor students in their chosen profession
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This article is featured on page 32 of the 2020 Senior Living Lexington
To advertise in Senior Living Lexington, call 859.361.4169
