Volunteering your time, attention, and talents to those in need not only is an admirable thing to do, but it’s also actually good for your health and wellbeing. In Palm Harbor, Florida, there are numerous volunteer opportunities for seniors that make it easy for you to make a difference in someone else’s life—and perhaps change yours as well.
Why the benefits of volunteering work both ways
Most people are compelled to help when they see a person or a cause in need. There’s something about knowing that you are able to lighten another person’s load that can lift your own. It might be an individual who could benefit from your professional wisdom and insight. Or a group of children without grandparents who would cherish quality time with a senior.
Volunteer opportunities for seniors can also take you outdoors to help maintain a park or a trail. Or perhaps you are handy in the kitchen and would love to help prepare food for people who find it hard to enjoy a home-cooked meal.
Whatever your special talent or interest, there’s a person, group, or cause that could use your time. It may surprise you to learn that you can benefit as well.
Volunteer opportunities for seniors: what they can do for you
Reduce the stresses of everyday life.
Things can get hectic even in retirement and you might need to take a breath from the routine. Finding an opportunity to volunteer often brings you moments of delight and a sense of accomplishment. You know you are making a difference and that feels good, which helps reduce everyday stresses, especially if you are still living at home and carrying the burden of home maintenance.
Give you confidence and builds self-esteem.
Mentoring a young person or offering a supportive presence to someone who is down on their luck is something you can be proud of—it gives you a positive view of your place in the world. You’ve built up years of priceless knowledge and experience and now you can share what you know with someone who will benefit. What you are doing is important, and it matters.
Help you have a sense of purpose.
Perhaps retirement has left you with a lot of free time on your hand, especially if you are enjoying a maintenance-free lifestyle as a resident of a senior living community such as St. Mark Village. By finding a volunteer opportunity that matches your interest you will gain a new direction and identity, meet new people, and feel part of something bigger and meaningful.
You’ll have a new reason to get up each morning and accomplish something. Just knowing someone is counting on you can make your troubles seem very small.
Improve your overall health.
When you volunteer, you are active, using your muscles and your brain as well. This can improve your flexibility, increase circulation, lower blood pressure, and even reduce chronic pain.
Related: How Seniors Keep Busy in Independent Living Communities
Volunteer opportunities for seniors in the Palm Harbor, Florida area
Consider your talents and what interests you. Do you like to be outside? Are you good at putting others at ease? Do you have some special skills that would be valuable? Or are you just wanting to find a way to serve others?
St. Mark Village residents will be the first to tell you: Palm Harbor, Florida is a great place for anyone who wants to contribute their time and talent. The Pinellas County Volunteers website lists many opportunities, or you may directly contact the organization of your choice.
Here’s a few suggestions to consider:
- Mentoring. Work with a budding entrepreneur, teacher, artist, or anyone who would benefit from your experience.
- Reading to children. This could involve helping out in a library, organizing book drives, or even helping a child learn to read. Opening up the world of literature to young minds is a wonderful gift.
- Distributing food to those in need. You might become part of a crew that regularly delivers a meal or assist in a soup kitchen or food back by organizing, planning, and also food preparation and meal service.
- Volunteering in a senior center. Help with activities, arts and crafts, exercise classes, and more. Other possibilities might include providing transportation for seniors to appointments or helping them run errands.
- Wildlife rehabilitation and conservation. If the outdoors is calling you, consider helping to coordinate surveys, educating the public on wildlife and resources, clearing trails, planting trails, removing litter, and general park maintenance.
- Homeless shelters. Greet residents and make sure they receive the necessary supplies, as well as feel as secure and at home as possible.
- Companion services. Whether you are filling in for a family member or just spending one afternoon a week with a senior who is living alone, you are providing a much-appreciated service.
- Hospital/healthcare. Serve as a greeter to help patients and their families find physician offices, testing areas, and so on.
Related: Finding Connection and Purpose During Retirement in the Tampa Bay Area
At St. Mark Village, we believe everyone has something to offer.
That’s why we make it easy for you to create the lifestyle you’ve always wanted, surrounded by more friends and more ways to pursue your passions, including volunteer opportunities for seniors—so you can share your wisdom! We’d love to tell you more about our continuum of care and how it offers you seamless access to future care options.
Take our Lifestyle Quiz to help discover what matters most to you in senior living or contact us. We’d love to hear from you.
