While supporting loved one through illness or infirmity, many caregivers find a higher meaning and purpose for their own lives. When their family crisis is completed, these family caregiver often look for other ways to help others. These caregivers, like many retirees, find that volunteering is the perfect opportunity to re-employ themselves by participating in something they enjoy, to learn new life skills, or to give back to others.
Every community offers many options for volunteers. Organizations are appreciative of any amount of time offered, whether it is measured in hours or years. The volunteer doesn't have to have special abilities to make their efforts invaluable, but those with unique talents are also needed. Volunteer roles may range from:
- Telephone calls or visits to the elderly and isolated living in their own homes or facilities. A friendly voice, a gentle touch, a shared experience can brighten spirits;
- Delivering meals, running errands or transporting someone to appointments or shopping is a method of ‘checking-in’ and a great stress reliever for the homebound;
- Assisting at senior centers, soup kitchens, and community food pantries can reassure an individual that they are not alone and that many care;
- Helping out with correspondence or bill-paying; and
- Completing minor home repairs or making renovations for the disabled can make all the difference in an individual’s ability to stay in their own home.
Volunteering is not just about helping the elderly or ill. Giving back is helping anyone who needs that extra hand of support. Other opportunities may include:
· Cleaning up or rebuilding a community after a natural disaster;
· Becoming active in local school functions and reading programs; or
· Lending a hand to military families when deployment has occurred.
Contact your area senior centers, churches, interfaith groups or volunteer agencies. Others may start volunteer groups to meet the needs of their community. The payback is immeasurable for everyone involved.
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