Improving quality of life in ageing populations: What can volunteering do?

Abstract

The year 2011 was declared the 'European Year of Volunteering' to recognise the contribution volunteers make to society. Such cross-national events reflect the high profile of volunteering and political imperatives to promote it. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive review of current knowledge (articles published between 2005 and 2011) regarding the role of volunteering in improving older people's quality of life (QoL) and to identify areas requiring further research. Volunteering was defined as an activity that is freely chosen, does not involve remuneration and helps or benefits those beyond an individual's immediate family. Our search identified 22 studies and 5 review articles that addressed the benefits of volunteering on older people's quality of life. Most of the research had been conducted in the United States, Canada and Australia using data from longitudinal studies. The majority of the studies concluded that there is a positive association between older people's quality of life and engagement in volunteering. Due to the study designs and the heterogeneity of the research, causality is difficult to demonstrate and the knowledge the studies bring to the subject is variable. This review shows that volunteering may help to maintain and possibly improve some older adults' quality of life. However, there are still major gaps in our understanding of who actually benefits, the social and cultural context of volunteering and its role in reducing health and social inequalities.

Intervention in the Loneliness of the Elderly—What Strategies, Challenges and Rewards?

“…Studies in USA [15] reveal that older people participating in voluntary work "predicted better self-rated health, functioning, physical activity and life satisfaction as well as decreased depression and mortality". Several studies analyzed in the literature review conducted by Cattan, Hardill and Hogg [24] point to the positive effect of volunteering, in reducing the risk of depression and decreased depressive symptoms in the elderly. Indeed, it was found that there was a reduction in the level of loneliness in elderly volunteers, higher than the remaining senior citizens.…”

Incorporating prosocial behavior to promote physical activity in older adults: Rationale and design of the Program for Active Aging and Community Engagement (PACE)

“…more favorable) scores on the 11-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. Other researchers have found that volunteering is associated with increased life satisfaction [14] and quality of life [15]. Tan et al [18], in adjusted analyses of 113 volunteers who were randomized into either the Baltimore Experience Corps condition or a waiting list control condition, found that although Experience Corps volunteers reported increased physical activity at 8 months post-randomization compared to those in the control group, the difference was not significant (p = 0.49).…”

“…More recently, prosocial behavior has been associated with positive outcomes in the problem solving and drug dependence literature, particularly among adolescents [10]. Volunteerism, a form of prosocial behavior, has also been associated with positive outcomes among older adults [11–15]. Of note, the Baltimore Experience Corps Program [16], which places predominately older African-American volunteers in public elementary schools [17], is designed to improve academic outcomes of children and physical activity, cognitive and social outcomes of volunteers [18].…”

Peeling Potatoes as Health Promotion? Self-Perceived Benefits of Volunteering among Older Adult Volunteers in a Norwegian Volunteer Centre

“…Berg, O. Johansen worth and socialization [17], as well as higher levels of self-rated life satisfaction [18]. Older adult volunteers have reported an increase in their quality of life due to feeling appreciated, having a sense of purpose, and being able to "give something back" [19].…”