Volunteering is a highly gratifying experience that can benefit not only the individuals involved but entire communities. When it comes to volunteering to help older adults, the benefits are not only psychological but even physical. However, many people feel they are too busy to volunteer and miss out on the benefits of volunteering. 

Many people are busy. They might even be busier than they used to be. The pandemic has led some to work longer hours, spend more time in the kitchen cooking, and spend more time with their kids due to virtual online classes that demand more involvement and time from parents.  

However, there are many ways to volunteer that don’t entail long hours and can fit into peoples’ busier schedules. 

At DuPage Senior Citizens Council, most of our services are volunteer-driven and aim to help senior citizens live happier and more fulfilling lives. A new service that we launched, as a result of social distancing guidelines, is the Friendly Phone Call Service. It seeks to help senior citizens combat social isolation (read our article on social isolation) and the very severe problems that arise from it – all while keeping social distancing protocols. 

The Friendly Phone Call service consists of volunteers calling older adults three times per week, for a total of approximately one hour. The conversations can be about anything, don’t take long, and can be done very easily and conveniently. In fact, many volunteers perform the calls while driving, or on their lunch breaks. 

For older adults, the service allows them an opportunity for important human contact which many have been missing since the pandemic started and which is vital for their emotional and physical well being. For volunteers, making a difference in the lives of older adults provides a satisfying experience while allowing them to learn new things and get a glimpse of the past. 

If you want to be the bright spot of a seniors day, please visit our sign-up page or click on the link below:

Resources: 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mysteries-love/202004/why-are-we-busier-ever-despite-having-nowhere-go

https://nonprofitssource.com/online-giving-statistics/volunteering-statistics/

https://www.dw.com/en/solidarity-how-the-coronavirus-makes-us-more-willing-to-help/a-52968633