Pandemic Pivots for Older Volunteers: Online Tutoring and Pen Pal Programs

Sun, Peter; Morrow‐Howell, Nancy; Pawloski, Elizabeth

doi:10.1080/01634372.2022.2128134

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Researchers and practitioners have developed remote forms of strategies. The Oasis' long-standing (since 1989) in-person intergenerational tutoring program transitioned to pen pal letter writing and online tutoring during the pandemic (14). With similar programs, one major goal of the Oasis is to benefit healthier aging through intergenerational engagement.…”

Section: Programs For Older Volunteers Without Cognitive Impairment I...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, in-person and remote volunteer programs have a unique value. In-person volunteering offers irreplaceable face-toface interaction, and it is conducive to learning the contexts of each other's lives and building stronger relationships (14). However, inperson participation can be challenging during times such as the COVID-19 pandemic or for individuals with various health-related conditions and limitations.…”

Section: Strengths and Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Remote programs offer the possibility of volunteering from home. The value of remote volunteering is recognized and appreciated by volunteers and service recipients (14,18). Nevertheless, issues raised for remote programs include technical challenges with using online platforms, unsatisfactory speed and frequency in pen pal letter writing, and difficulties in having to engage in mentoring sessions or conversations online (14).…”

Section: Strengths and Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The value of remote volunteering is recognized and appreciated by volunteers and service recipients (14,18). Nevertheless, issues raised for remote programs include technical challenges with using online platforms, unsatisfactory speed and frequency in pen pal letter writing, and difficulties in having to engage in mentoring sessions or conversations online (14). Therefore, extra support with technology and the overall management of remote programs are needed to provide a more satisfying experience for older volunteers and service recipients.…”

Section: Strengths and Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

A review of different types of volunteer programs for older adults with and without cognitive impairment

Zhu¹,

Dong²,

Wu³

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

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Theoretical models and empirical evidence suggest an association between volunteering and health outcomes in older adults. However, less is known about existing programs that involve older adults engaging in formal volunteering, especially programs for older volunteers with cognitive impairment. In this review, we summarized and evaluated different types of volunteering-based programs involving older volunteers with and without cognitive impairment. After a non-systematic literature search, we presented eight example volunteer programs. Older volunteers participate in the programs in person or remotely. In five of the programs, older volunteers without cognitive impairment participate in intergenerational engagement, support and referral, home visiting, and dementia care services. The other three programs specifically recruit older volunteers with cognitive impairment and provide intergenerational engagement and individualized volunteer activities. Both strengths and challenges identified in the programs were discussed. Different types of volunteering-based programs are available for engaging older volunteers. For volunteers to remain active during the pandemic or for volunteers who live with cognitive impairment, remote programs can be a valuable alternative. Program effects on older volunteers need to be tested in more rigorously designed studies.

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Section: Programs For Older Volunteers Without Cognitive Impairment I...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Strengths and Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Strengths and Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Strengths and Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

A review of different types of volunteer programs for older adults with and without cognitive impairment

Zhu¹,

Dong²,

Wu³

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, in some countries, retired healthcare workers (e.g., physicians, nurses) were asked to volunteer to help younger colleagues, who were overwhelmed in the effort to face the health crisis [42]. Other older adults (mainly those ones having a high human capital and technological skills) engaged in virtual forms of volunteering (e.g., as tutors to help families with home schooling; by offering psychological help through helplines and/or platforms set up during the crisis) [43][44][45]. In other cases, as shown by a study carried out in Belgium, even during the first lockdown, many older adults provided a wide range of help activities to family members, friends, neighbors and strangers [45] while also receiving some kind of support.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Motivations, Relationships, Health and Quality of Life of Older Volunteers in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2023

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Within the active ageing framework, this study was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic on older volunteers, in order to explore the possible relation between, on the one hand, changes in their health, social relationships and quality of life due to the pandemic and, on the other hand, volunteers’ motivations and (direct or indirect) experience of the COVID-19 contagion. Although various active-ageing-related issues have been studied during the pandemic, the studies did not cover the topic of the present study. Therefore, the results of this study advance the knowledge on the matter. A sample of 240 older volunteers was surveyed in Italy in July–August 2021. Bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression models were performed. The results highlighted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, for older people, volunteering in order to avoid thinking about personal problems was related to worsened health, while volunteering for social reasons was inversely related to a worsening quality of life. Having indirectly (by acquaintances) experienced the COVID-19 contagion was protective against the worsening physical health of older volunteers. The discussion includes the policy implications of the results.

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Variations in Benefits of Intergenerational Tutoring in the “New Normal”

Sun,

Morrow-Howell,

Click

2024

J Appl Gerontol

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This study investigated the benefits and challenges of intergenerational tutoring in a post-pandemic context. We explored how the benefits of intergenerational tutoring vary among subgroups of volunteers—first-time tutors, male tutors, tutors who are caregivers, and tutors with moderate or severe loneliness. Older adult tutors ( N = 319) were surveyed before and after the 2021–2022 school year, and the data were analyzed with structural equation multivariate regression and thematic analysis. Results indicated that while public health measures like mask-wearing posed challenges for some tutors, there were positive outcomes for tutors, especially first-time tutors, who experienced more health and well-being benefits, and tutors who are caregivers, who experienced improved civic attitudes towards public education. These results can help programs attract subgroups of volunteers who are likely to benefit the most, as well as attend to the unique challenges of pandemic-related policies.

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Pandemic Pivots for Older Volunteers: Online Tutoring and Pen Pal Programs

Cited by 3 publications

References 27 publications

A review of different types of volunteer programs for older adults with and without cognitive impairment

A review of different types of volunteer programs for older adults with and without cognitive impairment

Motivations, Relationships, Health and Quality of Life of Older Volunteers in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic

Variations in Benefits of Intergenerational Tutoring in the “New Normal”

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