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The Positives of Aging: Senior Involvement in the CommunityRecruiting Senior Adults to Volunteer as Literacy Tutors
M Cecil SmithDept. of Educational Psychology, Counseling and Special EducationNorthern Illinois University1/21/93Presented at the “The Positives of Aging” Conference for Winnebago County Outreach tothe Elderly. Rock Valley College, Rockford, IL.
 
2The Positives of Aging: Senior Involvement in the CommunityRecruiting Senior Adults to Volunteer as Literacy TutorsCharacteristics of Senior Adult Volunteers1.) Have an internal locus of control;2.) Have more discretionary time available than do younger adults;3.) Are in good physical and emotional health;4.) Are of lower middle to middle socioeconomic status;5.) Over 1/4 of all volunteers are older adults (age 55+).Barriers to Senior Adults for Volunteerism Activities1.) Stereotypes about aging (ageism);2.) Fear and anxiety;3.) Transportation difficulties;4.) Lack of awareness of volunteer opportunities;5.) Self-perceived lack of time:6.) Lack of nearby, safe parking facilities;7.) Structural barriers (e.g., physical facilities).Benefits to Senior Adults for Volunteering1.) Increased life satisfaction;2.) Improved cognitive, functional, and life skills;3.) Enhanced self-esteem and improved self-concept;4.) Improved attitudes toward learning, youth, and others;5.) Regular volunteer activity may increase life expectancy;6.) Altruism promotes a healthier heart and immune system.Incentives to Senior Adults for Volunteerism Activities1.) Provision of social supports;2.) Provision of convenient, free parking and mileage reimbursement;3.) Provision of meals;4.) Provision of bus passes, cab fare, or other transportation services;5.) Place time limits on volunteering for specific programs;6.) Community recognition; special awards, public acknowledgment.Advantages to Literacy Programs for Utilizing Adult Volunteers1.) Builds political support for programs;2.) Stimulates public support; strengthens program-community relationships;creates intergenerational links benefiting the community3.) Cost effective.
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