Active Aging through Volunteerism: A Longitudinal Assessment of Perceived Neighborhood Safety as a Predictor among Older Adults, 2008-2018

Abstract

Volunteering can play an important role in active aging. The resource theory of volunteering posits that volunteerism depends on human, social, and cultural capital. Benefits of volunteering have been documented at the micro-, meso-, and macrolevels, positively affecting individual older people as well as their local communities and society at large. Taking a process-oriented theoretical approach, this study focused on the mesolevel factor of the environment with the purpose of determining the relationship between perceived neighborhood safety and volunteerism over the course of a decade and the extent to which this relationship differs by gender and race. Longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study in the United States of America between 2008 and 2018 were used ( N = 72,319 adults 60 years and older). Generalized estimating equations (GEE) with robust standard errors were employed while controlling for a number of covariates. A third of the sample volunteered in the past year (33%). The probability of volunteering among older adults who rated their perceived neighborhood safety as excellent was greater compared with those who rated their perceived neighborhood safety as fair/poor after controlling for all other model covariates (ME: 0.03, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.05). Among males rating their perceived neighborhood safety as excellent, the probability of volunteering was higher (ME: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.07). Among females, the probability of volunteering was higher among those who perceived their neighborhood safety to be excellent (ME: 0.03, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.05) or very good (ME: 0.02, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.04). White respondents who rated their neighborhood safety as excellent (ME: 0.05, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.07) or very good (ME: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.06) had a higher probability of volunteerism. Results were not significant among Black respondents and those who described their race as “other.” This study’s process-oriented theoretical approach indicates that initiatives aimed at improving neighborhood safety and older adults’ perceptions of neighborhood safety could increase social capital and lead older adults to engage in more volunteering, providing benefits at micro-, meso-, and macrolevels—to older individuals, their local communities, and society at large.

Associations between diagnosis with stroke, comorbidities, and activity of daily living among older adults in the United States

“…Detailed information on sampling design, survey content, and sample weights can be found elsewhere 26 . As a previous publication utilizing HRS data states, 27 every 2 years since 1992, the HRS has interviewed approximately 20,000 Americans aged 50 and older. Data are collected on various topics, including demographic characteristics, health behaviors and outcomes, employment status, wealth, and income.…”

Ageing Suitability Evaluation of Residential Districts Based on Active Ageing Theory

“…Besides, the net width of the walk is greater than 1.2 m, and the local width is not less than 1.8 m as much as possible. The wind environment is relatively poor in the natural light environment (75), noise environment (72.22), and wind environment (66.67). In the future, we should improve the ventilation of buildings, use green plants flexibly, reduce the noise of domestic life scientifically, and simultaneously reduce light obstructions, such as sundries and nonbearing walls [72].…”

“…In terms of self-improvement participation, volunteer activities have a slightly higher weight (0.512) than cultural activities (0.488). It has been demonstrated that volunteer service produces a good influence on older adults, their local communities, and the entire society [75]. AAT also emphasizes the significance and value of volunteer activities [76].…”