May 31, 2023 Issue, Page 4 of 8

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4- The Elk City News May 31, 2023 oll Adults Can iD 1] . | io, UIWa Ga Redefine retirement through anil connection FAMILY FEATURES organizations to offer volunteers a wide range ofservice his time of year always provides plenty to opportunites, from building houses to delivering food. Teves and commemorate with the warmer “All the people you meet when you're a volunteer tell weather and longer days. you their stories and experiences,” said Srini Srinivas, May is also Older Americans Month, a time for a volunteer serving with the RSVP program, “You find celebrating the contributions that older adults make that very rewarding and it enriches your life. Doing this in our country from coast to coast. This year’s theme, service is a way of paying it forward. It supports the “Aging Unbound,” promotes the independence, ful- community. It keeps me active, which is a good thing, fillment and joy older Americans can experience by You also feel useful.” choosing their own paths as they age. Instead ofletting age define their circumstances, Serve as Mentors older Americans are embracing change, pushing For older adults interested in working with children, boundaries and transforming their communities through the Foster Grandparent Program pairs volunteers with creativity, commitment and service. Everyone benefits local schools and other programs focused on children, when older adults remain engaged, independent and caring for and working with clas es, groups or indi- included. vidual students. Volunteers serving with the Foster Volunteering is one way older adults can improve Grandparent Program serve between five and 30 hours their quality of life through connections with others, each week based on their availability and may be and it’s also been proven to make measurable improve- eligible fora small monetary stipend to offset the cost ments in the mental and physical health ofthe volun- ofvolunteering teers themselves. In fact, 84% ofvolunteers report “My motto is, ‘There is never a never, you can always stable or improving health after one year ofservice accomplish something.’ I’m here to help the kids learn, and 88% report lower levels of feelings of isolation, be there for them and teach them as much as I cai according to a study conducted by AmeriCorps Seniors. Priscilla Tsethlikai, a volunteer since 2016. “They” As a first stop for anyone looking to explore teaching me, and at the same time, I’m teaching them. volunteer opportunities, AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors connect individuals and organizations through Provide a Helping Hand to Other service and volunteering. AmeriCorps Seniors matches ‘Americans 55-plus with opportunities to improve their Older Adults communities through the contribution oftime, passion, Fostering relationships with other older adults is also a rewarding, and needed, option. Volunteers serving with skills and experience, “AmeriCorps Seniors is tailor-made for those aged the Senior Companion Program give about 20 hours Support Older Adults in Your 55 and older,” said Atalaya Sergi, director, AmeriCorps Seniors. “It provides a space for older adults to take each week and spend time with older adults in need of companionship or help with day-to-day tasks such as Community charge oftheir ‘second act’ and use their time in valuable grocery shopping, getting to appointments or paying and impactful ways. All of our volunteers share a goal of bills. Volunteers also may provide respite to family Though many older adults remain independent and engaged as they age, making a difference in their communities, and many see members caring for loved ones with chronic illnesses. some may find they are no longer able to complete daily tasks and require their involvement as a chance to make friends and form The program may offer a small monetary stipend for assistance. By looking for ways to assist older adults with tas! age meaningful connections.” volunteers who qualify. with them intellectually, you can help them continue to live fulfilling lives. More than 140, Americans are matched with “Volunteering has changed me, it keeps me grounded,” Consider these ways you can make a difference in the lives of older adults volunteer opportunities each year through three pro- volunteer Carmen Swanson said. “When you help others in your area: grams: RSVP, the Foster Grandparent Program and the and do for others, you enrich your life. My favorite part Offer your services. This may be especially usefull if you are a skilled Senior Companion Program. is being available and of service to them, Whatever tradesman, such as a plumber, carpenter, electrician or mechanic, or have “Our programs offer varying levels ofinvolvement, their desire is, whatever they'd like to achieve — ifI can technical skills and can assist with navigating devices such as computers interaction, time commitments and work with a diverse execute the task, follow it through and accomplish it then and cell phones. set ofpartners,” Sergi said. “We believe there’s a good it makes my day.” fit for everyone and many opportunities for volunteers Volunteer at an older adult living community. Assisted living, skilled to meet like-minded peers who share their interests or While it may mean different things to different people, nursing and memory care communities often rely on volunteers pursue volunteer opportunities that can involve their *s Older Americans Month theme of “Aging game nights and social events to help residents socialize and stay active. families, too.” provides one overarching sentiment: growing Assist with household chores. While many older adults choose to age Consider these ways older adults can get involved in n and should be empowering. in their own homes, they may require assistance with cooking, cleaning, their communities. know there are stereotypes surrounding older yardwork and more. adults, but we want people to shift their thinking,” Sergi said, “See the ways older adults continue to contribute Help with transportation. If you have a car and a valid driver’s licen: Respond to the Needs of to your life and communities, appreciate their wisdom driving older adults can help them complete their errands more quickly and Your Community and lived experiences, and join them in new endeavors. safely. They may need to get to a doctor’s appointment, go to the grocery With more than 115,000 volunteers, RSVP is the When the older adults in our communities are engaged, store, visit the post office or complete other tasks outside of the home that a largest of the programs. It is a popular choice due to its valued and genuinely included, we all benefit.” driver can assist with. flexible time commitments and diverse ways to serve. For more information, and to find volunteer oppor- The program partners with national, state and local tunities near you, visit AmeriCorps.gov/YourMoment.