July 2007I think we have all heard about the
health benefits of volunteering, but I believe it is a topic that needs
to be repeated frequently. A recent press release from the Corporation
for National and Community Service reported on a variety of health
benefits with the release of The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A
Review of Recent Research. The Corporation for National and
Community Service is the national organization that supports and advises
many volunteer groups, RSVP being one of them. This article is adapted
from the press release: Volunteering Produces Health Benefits.
The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of
Recent Research has found a significant connection between
volunteering and good health. The report shows that volunteers have
greater longevity, higher functional ability, lower rates of depression
and less incidence of heart disease.
“Volunteering makes the heart grow stronger,” said
David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation. “More than 61 million Americans
volunteer to improve conditions for people in need and to unselfishly
give of themselves. While the motivation is altruistic, it is gratifying
to learn that their efforts are returning considerable health benefits.”
The research suggests that volunteering is
particularly beneficial to the health of older adults and those serving
100 hours annually. According to the report:
- A study of adults age 65 and older found that the
positive effect of volunteering on physical and mental health is due
to the personal sense of accomplishment an individual gains from his
or her volunteer activities.
- Another study found that volunteering led to
lower rates of depression in individuals 65 and older.
- A Duke study found that individuals who
volunteered after experiencing heart attacks reported reductions in
despair and depression – two factors that have been linked to
mortality in post-coronary artery disease patients.
- An analysis of longitudinal data found that
individuals over 70 who volunteered approximately 100 hours had less
of a decline in self-reported health and functioning levels,
experienced lower levels of depression, and had more longevity.
- Two studies found the volunteering threshold is
about 100 hours per year, or about two hours a week. Individuals who
reached the threshold enjoyed significant health benefits, although
there were not additional benefits beyond the 100-hour mark.
“This is good news for people who volunteer,” said
Robert Grimm, Director of the Corporation’s Office of Research and
Policy Development and Senior Counselor to the CEO. “This research is
particularly relevant to Baby Boomers, who are receiving as well as
giving when they help others. Just two hours of volunteering a week can
bring meaningful benefits to a person’s body and mind.”
I think Thomas H. Sander, executive director of the
Saguaro Seminar at Harvard University, summed this up beautifully when
he said, “Civic engagement and volunteering is the new hybrid health
club for the 21st century that’s free to join. Social capital research
shows it miraculously improves both your health and the community’s
through the work performed and the social ties built.”
So I invite you to call RSVP at 742-2423 for the many
health benefits we have to offer through volunteering.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
The National Ranching Heritage Center
needs volunteers that can sew to help them with making costumes for
their special event days. They have a Snack-N-Sew group that meets
regularly at the Ranching Center, 3121 4th Street, on one Saturday every
month from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The next meeting dates are July 14th,
August 25th, Sept.15th, and Oct. 20th.
The Garrison Institute on Aging is
looking for 2 or 3 volunteers to help staff their new “Help and Hope
Caregiver Library” that opened on June 1st. Volunteers should be
interested in helping community members locate caregiving resources in
the library and online. Volunteers with basic computer skills and
experience using the internet are preferred, but they are willing to
train you. Volunteers may work 2-5 hours a week in the morning or
afternoon at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Garrison
Institute on Aging, 6630 S. Quaker, Suite E.
Covenant Medical Center and Covenant Medical
Center–Lakeside have several openings for new volunteers. They
especially need escort messengers (delivering flowers, mail, etc.) and
volunteers in both the surgery waiting rooms and labor and delivery
waiting room areas. Volunteers in waiting areas serve as liaisons
between the hospital staff and the patient’s families. If you have ever
been in that situation, you know how valuable a volunteer can be to make
you feel you the information you need to make the wait a little easier.
To
volunteer, or for more information about these or other volunteer
positions, please call the RSVP office at 742-2423.
HOW do I join RSVP?
Becoming a member of RSVP is simple as long as you are at least 55 and have some time to volunteer. Just call the office at 742-2423 and chat with Ronda Casey or
Dana Bear about your interests. If you are not certain what you would like to do, we can mention several current volunteer opportunities and send you a list of the sort of jobs which RSVP members are presently doing to whet your appetite. If you have a special skill or talent that you would like to utilize, we will search to find just the right job for you. Just mail in the
enrollment form
(requires Adobe Reader) and we will call you!
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