It’s the time of the year to give and if you’ve run out of ideas “where” to volunteer, SeniorCare.com created the Holiday Volunteer Guide for you! It’s loaded with ideas on where to go, what to contribute and how long you have to sign up and volunteer. The guide mentions local non-profits, churches, and other places to give in the community. It lists the gifts, food, clothing, and time (companionship) that’s needed during the holiday season. The locals can use this guide anytime throughout the year for giving and volunteering.
Top cities in the Holiday Guide
Today we focused on the top 50 cities and here’s a list:
Across Texas:
- Arlington
- Austin
- Dallas
- El Paso
- Fort Worth
- Houston
Across the nation:
- Albuquerque
- Atlanta
- Boston
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cleveland
- Los Angeles
- Milwaukee
- Minnesota
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Oklahoma City
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Portland
- Seattle
- Washington D.C.
So many events, you’ll never run out of things to do for older adults needing help this time of year.
Why Help the Elderly?
It’s hard to believe some of the statistics you’re about to read. The older population has contributed to making our country what it is today. Now, many spend time alone, isolated and depressed. Here’s a list of why they need your help every day but especially during the holiday season.
- Almost half of older women (45%) age 75+ live alone.
- About 28% (12.1 million) of noninstitutionalized older persons live alone (8.4 million women, 3.7 million men).
- More than one in five (21%) Americans age 65 and older do not drive. Source Non-drivers have a decreased ability to participate in the community and the economy.
- Hunger threatens over 9 million older adults.
- 1 million homebound seniors are malnourished.
- The high suicide rates of the elderly.
- 87% of Americans receiving long-term care at home get care from unpaid family and friends.
The holiday season is the time for giving, connecting to family, sharing meals, celebrating each person’s successes, and making lasting memories. However, that’s not the experience of the elderly who have no one to count on for fun and celebrations. For many older adults, the holidays are spent alone at home. They don’t have others around who could create moments of joy and goodness. It’s the volunteers in the local community that give back and increase an elderly’s well-being plus form new friendships.
The act of generously giving your time is the fastest way to put smiles on another person’s face no matter the age, but since 28% of our seniors live alone, they especially will enjoy the attention.
Have you been a recipient of kindness? If so, then you experienced the greatest pleasure. However, when a volunteer gives instead of receiving, the feelings of joy and satisfaction double. What you receive through giving is miraculous and immediate. You won’t have to wait long to experience its value. It begins when you touch the other person’s life through kindness.
Ideas to Help the Elderly in your Community
- Do chores
- Offer a ride or transportation to a medical appointment or social event
- Take them to a movie
- Help a family caregiver – give time when they need a break
- Volunteer at a senior care facility
- Take a person for a walk
- Garden or do a craft with an elderly person
- Teach a new skill
- Serve meals or snacks – bring them cookies or fresh fruit
- Give a gift basket
- Visit a senior and be a companion once a week
- Call them on the phone
- Send a card
- Give flowers
- Take their dog for a walk
- Bring your well-behaved dog for a visit
- Teach technology
- Help the adult learn how to Skype with a family member
- Show them how to use email
- Give a listening ear
- Listen to them and learn about all the things they have done and record it for them and send it to their family for a keepsake.
There are many ways to help the elderly enjoy the season of giving! Check out the Holiday Volunteer Guide.
