By Colleen Holcomb
When we hear the word “volunteering,” we think of helping others. That’s certainly true, and it’s the primary reason people choose to volunteer. But new research shows that people who volunteer are also helping themselves in extraordinary ways.
Studies show that serving others provides mental health benefits including increased happiness and a decrease in depression and anxiety. Scientifically speaking, this is the result of our bodies releasing serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins: the body’s “feel-good hormones.”
Volunteering is also connected to better physical health: lower stress, lower blood pressure, and reduced rates of heart disease, stroke, and general illness, all of which contribute to a longer life.
Cathy Quinn has been volunteering at St. Ann’s Home for 23 years, starting right after she retired. “I got in and got hooked,” she says.
Most recently, she’s been the “prize lady” at bingo and a clue reader at crossword puzzle sessions with residents. She also helps transport people to and from activities. “For someone who’s retired, it’s a little bit of exercise,” she says. “That’s how I get my steps in!”
Like other volunteers, Cathy cites numerous benefits.
“It gets me out of the house, and I look forward each week to seeing the friends I’ve made among residents, staff, and other volunteers. It just makes me happy,” she says. “You get to know the residents as real people, not just ‘old people’. They’ve got real stories, real families, real accomplishments. It’s interesting and rewarding to know them on that level.”
Like Cathy, many of our volunteers are Community Volunteers – retirees and young people alike! These volunteers are individuals who help elders with activities, assist at parties, support our pastoral care program with lecturing, share their hobbies, or spend one-on-one time with elders during visits. Opportunities can be tailored to the volunteers’ interests and schedules.
Organizations and student groups are also actively involved with St. Ann’s Community. M&T Bank has been supporting St. Ann’s elders for several years in a variety of ways. Recently, employees made and delivered 650 valentines, one for every elder. They were also on hand at Christmastime, helping deliver presents. This type of connection helps our elders feel seen and cared for and contributes to their quality of life.
When student groups from grade schools and local universities volunteer, they not only bridge the generational gap but also experience personal growth and emotional benefits. One student, whose grandmother had recently moved into a skilled nursing community, found that engaging with the elders at St. Ann’s reduced her anxiety and fear about her grandmother’s move. This positive interaction improved her well-being and confidence, leading her to ask her mom, “When we visit Grandma, can we bring games to play with her?” At St. Ann’s, we offer pre-scheduled Volunteer Days, perfect for students seeking to fulfill community service requirements.
It also contributes to the volunteers’ own emotional and spiritual well-being. They enjoy a sense of purpose and appreciation, both given and received, by taking part in a cause larger than themselves.
The social interaction involved satisfies a basic human need and reduces isolation, loneliness, and alienation. Volunteering allows us to develop empathy, meet new people, and bond with others who share our interest in giving back to the community.
I often tell people that volunteering with elders differs from other types of volunteering because it offers instant gratification. You can see the impact immediately. That’s a great feeling, one which has multiple benefits for both giver and receiver.
Colleen Holcomb is Volunteer Services Manager, St. Ann’s Community. She can be reached at [email protected].