October 6, 2008

Seniors in Service

According to an issue brief published by the Corporation for National & Community Service, volunteering in America is at a 30-year high. Older adults -- from Boomers on up -- are part of that trend. The figures below were published in December 2006

23.5%  of older adults volunteer today

14.3% of seniors volunteered in 1974

16.9% of seniors volunteered in 1989

33.2% of Baby Boomers volunteered for a formal organization in 2005

• Volunteer Growth in America: A Review of Trends since 1974
• Baby Boomers and Volunteering
• 2005-2006 Senior Corps Performance Survey Findings

Sign me up! Senior Volunteerism

As Indiana's population continues to age, both the public and private sectors have a vested interest in keeping our older adults socially and civically engaged. One way to do this is to provide meaningful volunteer activities for our seniors, which creates a win-win situation for older adults and the communities they choose to serve.

In May 2008, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices issued a brief on "Increasing Volunteerism among Older Adults:Benefits and Strategies for States."  Some of the findings presented in the brief are listed below.

What older volunteers want and what they get

The NGA brief asserts that older volunteers seek to use their professional skills in volunteer settings, to continue developing their knowledge and expertise, and to have their volunteer time and services used efficiently.

In return, older adults who volunteer benefit from reduced despair and depression, both of which are strongly linked to heart disease and worsening physical health. The brief cites studies that show:

• that older adults who volunteer more than 100 hours per year are 2/3 less likely to report health problems and
  
• that those who volunteered for two or more organizations over a five year period experienced a 44% lower mortality rate compared with their non-volunteering peers with similar health and family factors.

Benefits to organizations who use older volunteers

Organizations who use older volunteers report an increase in the quality of services or programs they offer as a result of the volunteer contribution, cost savings in service delivery and an opportunity to fill the gap caused by labor shortages, particularly in the health care setting.

Challenges to promoting senior volunteerism

The NGA brief also noted that there are some challenges to states and other organizations wishing to reach out to the older adult volunteer pool, as well as to those elders seeking meaningful nonpaid work experiences. Those include a lack of easily accessible resources that describe available volunteer positions, lack of transportation for older adults wanting to volunteer, and incidental expenses associated with volunteers (travel costs, parking, buying lunch).

The volunteer picture for Indiana's older adults

According to Volunteering in America:State Trends and Rankings, Indiana's 55+ population: volunteers a median of 72-100+ hours per year at rates equal to or greater than the national volunteer rate per age group. See the chart below.

To customize a profile of Indiana's volunteers by age, gender, race and ethnicity, total hours donated, volunteer rate, main activities and and other indicators, click here.

Service Nation offers plan for older volunteers

Service Nation is a coalition of more than 100 national organizations dedicated to advancing a policy agenda that has as its goal 100 million American volunteers in service by 2020 -- an increase of nearly 40 million volunteers over current counts.

• Expanding the Senior Corps, primarily through the RSVP program
  
• Establishing a 50+ Corps, focusing on adult mentorship, English language instruction, and volunteer rangers in national parks
  
• Promoting an independence bonus that encourages aging in place

News you can use

Research participants needed for early/young-onset dementia care study
Jacquelyn Frank, PhD, an Associate Professor at the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community, is conducting a research study on care partners where one of the partners has early-onset Alzheimer's disease (or other early onset dementia).  The purposes of Frank's research are: 1) to examine grief and burden among early-onset dementia caregivers who are caring for their partners; and 2) to better understand the feelings of grief and loss experienced by the partner who is experiencing the early-onset dementia. She is currently enrolling study participants. For more information about how to participate, visit the CAC website.

Alzheimer's $$ for Indiana

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced $36 million in new grant programs to 28 states to help older Americans and veterans remain independent and to support people with Alzheimer's disease to remain in their homes and communities. Just over $19 million of this funding involves a new collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Indiana will receive over $200,000 for Alzheimer's disease demonstration programs.

Call for Proposals
Pioneer Network 9th National Conference

The Pioneer Network, dedicated to creating a culture that honors and respects elders in LTC, is seeking session proposals for its 9th National Conference, to be held August 12-14, 2009 in Little Rock, Arkansas. View the RFP and submit your proposal online at www.pioneernetwork.net. Deadline for proposals is October 17, 2008.

Aging events of note

Indiana Geriatrics Society Second Annual Fall Conference

"How Can We Improve the Quality of Care for the Elderly"

When: October 10, 2008, 8am-5pm

Where: The Seasons Conference Center, Nashville, Indiana

More Information: Contact Kathy Frank at (317) 630-7007

Free Professional Seminars from Alzheimer's Association of Greater Indiana

Jolene Brackey, author of Creating Moments of Joy, will present ways for professionals to rejuvenate and inspire their creativity to bring joy, hope, and memory enhancement into the lives of people living with Alzheimer's disease. Presentations will take place in Elkhart, Kokomo, Indianapolis, Anderson, Terre Haute and Bloomington. For dates and CEU information, visit the Alzheimer's Association's website.

2nd Annual Positive Aging Conference & Broadcast

Check out the CAST Home for Life at the Consumer Electronic Show
The Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) and the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) are partnering with the Consumer Electronic Show on an exciting new exhibit, the CAST Home for Life. 

The Home for Life will feature emerging and existing technologies in a hands-on, interactive environment. Spaces will be divided into futuristic living space vignettes (bathrooms, kitchen, living rooms etc). Join us where cutting-edge technologies aiming to enhance safety, health and wellness, social connectedness and entertainment/theraputainment of seniors will be demonstrated.

When: January 8-11, 2009

Where: Las Vegas, Nevada

More Information: http://www.aahsa.org/edocuments/cast/cast-ces.pdf

Aging events part of 2008 Spirit & Place Festival