Volunteer with Older Adults

Are you a retiree looking for meaningful engagement? A working professional eager to share your talents? A student interested in gerontology, health, or social service as a career? Someone who needs community service hours for a job, school, or other program? You can make a positive impact in the lives of older adults in your community.  By volunteering your time and skills, you have the opportunity to bring joy, companionship, and support to Missouri’s seniors.

Ready to take the plunge? Call the Senior Resource Line at 1-800-235-5503 or click the button below to be directed to a statewide volunteer application.

I want to Volunteer!

Why Volunteer with Older Adults?

• Experience the Power of Connection: Discover the profound impact of building meaningful relationships with older adults. Your presence and companionship can combat loneliness and isolation, improving their overall well-being, and yours, as well.
• Share Wisdom and Learn: Engage in conversations that bridge generations, allowing you to gain valuable insights and wisdom from their life experiences. Simultaneously, you can share your knowledge and skills, fostering mutual growth and understanding.
• Make a Lasting Difference: Your volunteer work can have a lasting impact on the lives of older adults and seniors. By offering your time and support, you can help them maintain their independence, enhance their quality of life, and create cherished memories.
• Personal Growth: Volunteering with older adults and seniors provides an opportunity for personal growth and self-reflection. It allows you to develop empathy, patience, and a deeper understanding of the aging process.
• Building a Supportive Community: Join a network of like-minded individuals who share your passion for making a difference. Connect with fellow volunteers, professionals, and organizations dedicated to improving the lives of older adults and seniors.
• Enhancing Your Skill Set: Volunteering can enhance your communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills. These valuable attributes can benefit you both personally and professionally.

Find Your Place

• Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are local organizations that provide a wide range of services to support older adults and caregivers. They need volunteers to assist with a variety of programs and activities.  AAAs differ in the specific services they provide, but they all utilize volunteers in some way. If you’d like to know more about your AAA and the services they provide, click here
  • Research Other Local Organizations: Many other groups also serve older adults. Independent senior centers, retirement communities, places of worship, and service organizations often need people to help them fulfill their missions. Learn about their volunteer programs, requirements, and the specific areas where your skills and interests can be utilized.
    • One of these organizations is Give 5. Give 5 is a no-cost “civic matchmaking” program that connects soon-to-be-retirees and retirees with meaningful volunteer opportunities that best fit their skill sets and passions. Participants learn about the most challenging problems facing their communities and uncover ways they can help make a difference in addressing those social and systemic issues. The Give 5 movement is now in a dozen Missouri communities:

      

      • Springfield/Greene County, Missouri
      • Clayton, Missouri
      • Branson, Missouri
      • Columbia/Boone County, Missouri
      • Jefferson City, Missouri
      • Joplin, Missouri
      • Kansas City, Missouri
      • Sedalia, Missouri
      • St. Joseph, Missouri
      • Warrensburg, Missouri
• Attend Volunteer Orientations: Attend volunteer orientations to gain a deeper understanding of the organization's mission, values, and the impact you can make. These sessions will equip you with the necessary knowledge and resources to get started.
• Commit to Regular Volunteering: Dedicate a consistent amount of time to your volunteer work. Regular engagement allows for stronger relationships to develop and ensures a more meaningful impact on the lives of older adults and seniors.

Possible Volunteer Opportunities

• Companionship and Socialization: Spend quality time with older adults and seniors, engaging in conversations, playing games, or simply enjoying each other's company. If in-person interaction isn’t feasible, you might even offer telephone reassurance, video chat, or become a penpal. Your presence can brighten their day and alleviate feelings of loneliness.
• Assisting with Daily Activities: Help with daily tasks such as transportation to doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, meal preparation, or light housekeeping. These small acts of kindness can make a significant difference in their lives, allowing them to maintain their independence and could offer a family caregiver a much-needed break.
• Mentoring and Tutoring: Share your expertise by offering mentorship or tutoring services or teaching a class at a senior center. Help older adults stay fit and active, learn a new skill, or pick up a hobby, empowering them to stay engaged and active, both physically and mentally.
• Meal delivery: Pick up food at a central location and deliver it to older adults who are unable to visit senior centers for congregate dining. You not only support them with needed nutrition but have the opportunity to interact and bring a social component to their day.

By volunteering to work with older adults, you have the power to create a positive change in their lives. Your compassion, time, and dedication can bring immense joy, companionship, and support to those who need it most. Fill out the Statewide Volunteer Application and embark on a rewarding journey that will leave a lasting impact on both you and the seniors you serve.