The benefits of volunteering for the community are endless. Summer volunteering enables your senior loved ones to immerse themselves in the local culture, interact with locals and make new friends through community-focused initiatives. These experiences can keep senior loved ones with limited mobility and hand function to remain engaged and active in society. As a caregiver taking care of an older adult, here are a few ideas on volunteering activities in which they could participate.
Engage in Intergenerational Activities
You could have the senior under your care partner with local schools or Boys and Girls Clubs to participate in intergenerational activities. You could arrange for the students to come around and interact with your loved ones. Intergenerational programs where seniors in the community offer advice and mentorship help the youth acquire a greater understanding of life as they navigate through life. These interactions also provide a sense of purpose for the older population.
Volunteer to be Foster Grandparents
You could also have your older loved one enroll in the Foster Grandparent Program, where seniors serve as mentors, tutors, and caregivers for children and youth with special needs. Foster Grandparents provide weekly service to community organizations such as Head Start, hospitals, public schools, and daycare centers.
Visiting an Animal Shelter
If the seniors under your care love animals, then you are in luck because there are plenty of animal shelters around that take care of dogs, cats, and other critters. You could drive them to such a shelter and have them interact with the animals or even adopt one should they be interested.
Remote Volunteering Work
Older adults who have mobility issues or prefer remaining within the safety of their homes can also volunteer remotely. Remote volunteering allows them to share their skills and time to enhance their lives without moving from home.
As a caregiver, you should look for a volunteer activity matching their passions and interests. Examples of activities your senior loved may engage in include providing virtual support as a counselor, providing art lessons, offering career guidance, and even recording audiobooks.
The options are endless. All you have to do is find these opportunities online and ensure that your loved one has the knowledge, expertise, and interest to participate. Volunteering is an excellent way for older adults to spend their time.
Senior Helpers San Mateo Can Help With Your Caregiving Needs
At Senior Helpers San Mateo, we ensure that older adults are happy, safe, and cared for by offering the services they need. We provide caregiving services for adults with Alzheimer's and dementia and those with Parkinson's disease. Our care program also includes providing daily companionship and helping with daily activities. Our service package also entails chronic disease care, respite care, assistance after surgery, medication management, remote monitoring, and end-of-life support care. We also partner with assistance organizations to ensure veterans under our care apply for their benefits.
Whether in San Mateo, Redwood City, Burlingame, or even Millbrae, Senior Helpers has got you covered. Contact us today for more information regarding our services.