Managing Volunteer Retirement among Older Adults: Perspectives of Volunteer Administrators

Abstract

A large body of quantitative evidence demonstrates a link between volunteering and improved well-being, especially among older adults. Yet the research evidence pointing to the purported benefits of volunteering does not adequately address the unique experiences of older volunteers, nor does it address the ways in which working with them impacts the work of volunteer administrators. As the proportion of those aged 65 and older increases, older adults are poised to play an even greater role as volunteers than ever before, representing both unparalleled opportunity and potential new challenges for volunteer administrators. One such challenge includes how to manage older adults’ decisions to withdraw or retire from volunteering, which has an impact on the succession planning of the volunteer workforce. This article presents the results of a recent survey of volunteer administrators who share current policies and perspectives about volunteer retirement. These practitioner viewpoints provide important insights for both volunteer management and future research.

Fulfilling Two Needs With One Deed: The Psychological Effect of Volunteering on Persons with Physical Disabilities

“…Empirical studies found that volunteering participation might be helpful in improving the physical and psychological health of disabled people (Binder & Freytag, 2013;Borgonovi, 2008) as well as other marginalized or isolated groups, such as older adults (e.g., Jiang et al, 2020;Russell et al, 2019), LGBTQ+ individuals (Gates & Dentato, 2020), and the homeless (Morton & Cunning-Williams, 2009). Studies highlighted that volunteering-defined as "the act of freely doing something without remuneration that is intended to improve others' quality of life directly or indirectly, with the recipient being outside one's own household" (Cnaan & Park, 2016, p. 24)-may improve the mental health of individuals with disabilities because it makes the volunteers feel that they are physically and mentally capable of playing meaningful roles in the community (Drucker, 2006).…”

Volunteer Retirement and Well-Being in Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study

“…The reasons for volunteer retirement may be particularly important for the well-being of older adults (e.g., Butrica et al, 2009), and the inability to include them in the present analysis is undoubtedly a limitation. For instance, whether or not individuals retire from volunteering due to circumstances that they feel are within their control (e.g., wanting to spend more time on other activities) versus circumstances that they perceive as beyond their control (e.g., health concerns, coupled with pressure from family, friends, doctors, or the organization itself), or whether this ultimately represents a permanent transition or one they decide to reverse, could play a critical role in determining the extent to which volunteer retirement is associated with declines in their well-being (Russell et al, 2019). Another factor to consider is whether or not the decision to retire from volunteering ultimately represents a permanent transition for older adults or if they look to return to the same or a substitute volunteer role at a later point in time.…”

“…Volunteer retirement is defined as the decision to withdraw from or discontinue volunteering (Russell et al, 2019). Volunteer retirement for older adults may reflect a series of complex and involuntary or voluntary events, such as failing health, lack of transportation to and from the volunteer site, or per the recommendation or encouragement of friends, family, and doctors.…”

“…As it focuses mainly on active volunteers, the extant literature examining volunteering across the life cycle does not address the specific life event of volunteer retirement, and its impact on the well-being of older adults who retire from volunteering (e.g., Musick & Wilson, 2008; Nesbit, 2012; Tang, 2016). However, qualitative evidence from volunteer administrators suggests that older adults who volunteer regularly, especially for many years, experience the loss of this role in tangible ways (Russell et al, 2019). Thus, the dual issue of aging, followed by role discontinuity with respect to the volunteer role, suggests another transitional point, like the discontinuity of other roles worthy of further examination.…”

“…Another critical transition point is volunteer retirement, which occurs when older adults permanently discontinue their volunteer activities with an organization, thereby experiencing a loss of their volunteering role. Volunteer administrators have noted that in their experience, volunteer retirement is often followed by a decline in well-being (Russell et al, 2019). Although there is considerable literature suggesting how volunteers can be kept satisfied, retained, and motivated, volunteer retirement for older volunteers who age out of their volunteer roles is understudied (Shantz et al, 2014).…”