National Volunteer Week is April 23-29, and the Mid-Columbia Council of Governments’ Area Agency on Aging is looking to meet the rising demand for aging services by utilizing volunteers in new ways. In communities from coast to coast, aging services organizations are tapping the passion, talent, and leadership of older adult volunteers to expand reach and serve older adults in need.
By 2030, more than 70 million Americans will be 65 and older — twice their number in 2000 and one in every five Americans. As they age, many will need services that allow them to stay independent, such as transportation, home-delivered meals and assistance with personal care. Yet federal, state, and local budgets are not keeping pace, leaving increasing numbers of older adults without critical assistance.
At the same time, roughly 10,000 people are reaching age 65 every day, flooding the potential volunteer pool with a wealth of skills and energy. Of people who are retiring, many want to devote their newfound time to creating real impact in the world.
MCCOG’s Area Agency on Aging seeks to encourage older adult volunteers to offer their skills and passion to power up aging and disability services. By joining or leading a team, volunteers can help others — and keep themselves active, healthy and learning while helping Area Agency on Aging serve older adults better.
The Area Agency on Aging is currently recruiting volunteers for these projects:
• Friendly Visitors spend one or two hours a week or every-other week visiting an elder, sharing a hobby, preparing a snack, being a friend.
• Healthy Living Volunteers co-lead six-week workshops for seniors on topics such as healthy eating for successful living, chronic disease self-management and diabetes self-management.
• Money Managers assist elders and individuals with disabilities in bill paying and budgeting.
• Nutrition Volunteers help at senior luncheon sites or deliver hot meals to elders' homes at noon.
• SHIBA volunteers provide area elders with accurate information regarding health insurance options.
• Shopping Assistants shop for seniors or accompany them to the store.
• Event Assistants help plan, promote, and execute events organized by the AAA.
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman Volunteers advocate, educate, and investigate on behalf of the resident to protect their rights and dignity. This role is best suited for someone that has 16 flexible hours to volunteer each month.
• Front Office Receptionists act as the gateway for community members to receive needed services. The front-desk receptionist will welcome visitors and answer incoming calls, provide outstanding customer service to all clients, visitors, staff, and volunteers, and respond to inquiries by providing information and directing visitors to appropriate resources.
About MCCOG Area Agency on Aging
In 1965, Congress passed the Older Americans Act (OAA), which created structures at the federal, state, and local levels to administer programs for older adults. AAA’s Advocate for older adults living in their area. AAAs are responsible for analyzing the needs of seniors, assessing existing services, and implementing new services as needed. AAA provides a variety of programs and services that support and promote the independence, dignity, and health of older adults in our community and those who care for them, including family caregiver support, senior meals and more.
Commented