Volunteering offers a multitude of benefits that can enhance overall well-being. It fosters a sense of purpose and fulfillment, which is especially crucial during the retirement years. By participating in various volunteering activities, you can feel a renewed sense of value as you contribute meaningfully to your community. This sense of purpose can combat feelings of isolation or loneliness which can be common among and promote mental and emotional well-being.
Additionally, volunteering provides opportunities for socialization and connection and can help seniors maintain cognitive function and physical health by helping them stay active and engaged. Whether assisting with local charity events, mentoring younger generations, or participating in community clean-up initiatives, older adults in senior living communities can experience immense personal growth and fulfillment through their volunteer efforts.
Throughout April, which is designated as National Volunteer Awareness month, we headed out to our communities to learn more about the impact volunteerism has on our residents and communities. We found that throughout our Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Ohio communities volunteerism was alive and well.
At Maplewood at Strawberry Hill, Anne, Arthe, and Janet gather together on Saturday mornings to knit for the Mercy Learning Center in Bridgeport. Led by Abigail, they spend an hour or so each weekend knitting baby hats and blankets for mothers at the center. Mercy Learning Center provides basic literacy and life skills training to women with low income using a holistic approach within a compassionate, supportive environment.
In New Jersey, Maplewood at Princeton residents are learning to play the piano thanks to a young volunteer. Pranayaa, is a 16-year-old high school student who volunteers her time on Saturday afternoons. She currently tutors three residents. Angela eagerly shared what the experience has meant to her, “It has been my dream since I was a young girl to play the piano but I was one of 14 children and there wasn’t money then for lessons. Now that this opportunity has been given to me, I said, ‘Why not?’ I need to try. And I’m so happy I’m now fulfilling a life-long dream. “
Juanita, who is 93, said, “When I was a little girl we had a piano but only my brother received lessons. I did teach myself ‘Mary had a little lamb’ but now Pranayaa shows me where my fingers should go. My children are so happy I’m taking lessons that they are getting me a keyboard for my apartment so I can practice.” Cynthia is also really enjoying her lessons “When I decided to sign up, it was because I wanted to do something to increase my cognition and this has been a wonderfully rewarding opportunity.”
From Princeton and Rutgers University, student chapters from Alzheimer’s Buddies, volunteer their time to work with residents in our Memory Care program.
You might say that all of the community volunteers have inspired our residents to get involved and give back as well. Thanks to local volunteers like Marilyn, a volunteer for Project Linus, many of our residents have been inspired to get involved and give back as well. Marilyn comes to Princeton and guides a group of residents to make blankets and scarves. Their mission is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth, and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need, through the gift of new handmade blankets and afghans that have been lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.” Our group of residents join the estimated 80,000 volunteers nationwide, that dedicate their time to this worthy cause.
Maplewood at Weston has enjoyed the recent collaboration with volunteer students from The Learning Project (TLP) Tufts University chapter. Students engaged with residents, capturing their life stories through interviews. Jennie (resident) and Ada (student) enjoyed chatting throughout the project about Ada’s major, Behavioral Neuroscience, and discussing her work as an EMT. Ada said she valued her time working with Jennie and learning about her close family relationships and growing up during the war. Ada felt this was a great opportunity to burst out of the “Tufts bubble” and get to know a population of people she wouldn’t otherwise get to meet.
Joe (resident) and Arielle (student and founder of the Legacy project) thoroughly enjoyed working together on the project. Joe said a family member told him that he should write a book about his life so he was thrilled when Arielle offered to do just that for him! He said he admires Arielle for her strong work ethic and ambition and is impressed with her accomplishments including starting the Legacy project, as leader of the student body at Tufts, and her work with Congresswoman Clark! Arielle told us that during her 4 years of doing the Legacy project, Joe was a favorite to work with!
As the project concluded, Weston hosted a special lunch for the group, where students presented residents with beautifully crafted books encapsulating their remarkable journeys.
In Ohio, a past family member felt so connected to our Cuyahoga Falls community that she decided to come back and volunteer her time. Monica Kaiser took a break from teaching to help care for her family member and was looking for a way to give back. From spending time in the community, she met a lot of residents and enjoyed talking with them. It sparked the idea and she has been volunteering there since January. Monica runs a poetry group with residents at the community. “I treasure my volunteer work. My time with the residents flows with a pure and unique, symbiotic energy. This energy transcends physical limitations and provides a space for intellectual stimulation, creativity, random acts of kindness, and care.”
She shared a communal poem that she and residents created together in February.
Rain on the Geese’s Wings
-Inspired by Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese
It’s a quiet sound,
rain on the geese’s wings,
winds that blow gently through the trees.
The leaves are moving like:
“Shhh.”
Cackling, crackling.
Bring back a sound
that brings back the beauty.
The flame, the fire, the warmth.
My chief, my chief,
my friend, my uncle.
Be yourself! Relax
and enjoy your surroundings.
The wind is blowing gently.
It’s a quiet sound:
The warmth on the geese’s wings.
Watch out for the inevitable!
The rain. The fire. The flame.
Imagination is climbing.
Put up the ladder!
And listen. Listen to the wind on the geese’s wings,
to the rains on the trees and leaves.
“Shhh.”
It’s a quiet sound,
rain on the geese’s wings.
A soothing sound.
A sound heard,
all over our world.
By Betty, Geo, Mark, Mary, Marion, Michelle, Monica, Morgan, Patricia, and Sandy.
Communal Poem Maplewood February 22, 2024
On Cape Cod, Maplewood at Brewster has been delighted to host students from the Latham Center Cape Abilities program. Each week they arrive at Brewster ready to deliver boxes and packages to resident apartments. Laura Heilmann, the career services manager at Latham told us, “Latham is so fortunate to have the opportunity to partner with Maplewood at Brewster. It provides a unique learning experience that allows our students the opportunity to build their employability skills, while also giving back to others. Our volunteers love working with the senior residents and although their main responsibility is delivering their mail, the most rewarding aspect of what they do is building valuable relationships.
Founded in 1970, Latham Centers serve children and adults with complex special needs – including Prader-Willi syndrome and other rare diseases and disorders. Three long-term volunteers work each Wednesday on a rotating basis at our Brewster community. They organize, transport, and deliver packages to residents in the community.
Volunteer contributions like these enrich our communities’ lifestyles and programming, aligning perfectly with our philosophy of fostering vibrant and engaged living along with intergenerational connectivity. We welcome volunteers in all our communities and are eager to develop new partnerships with individuals and groups. Please CONTACT us or visit your local community to find out more.
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