Made possible through funding by the Michigan Department of Community Health - Division of Substance Abuse Quality and Planning - Michigan Older Adult Substance Network Grant

Network Profile Spring/Summer, 1999

Articles

Why Volunteer?

As older adults, we experience more losses than any other age group. We experience role changes in our families, at work, and in the community. We experience physical changes, and many of us face health problems and chronic health conditions. The world continues to change at a dizzying pace. Friends leave. Family members, people we have depended on for support, guidance, and companionship are busy with their own lives. Healthy aging depends on our ability to weather these changes, and to create new beginnings, new interests, new, investments. As Sam Keen has written, "The hard thing when you get old is to keep your horizons open... over the years you carve yourself into a given shape. The challenge is to keep discovering the green growing edge. " (Keen, 1999)

With retirement comes increased leisure time. Research tells us that with this added time, most older adults maintain activity levels similar to those of their middle-aged years. For many, an area of growing interest and involvement is volunteerism.

"The hard thing when you get old is to keep your horizons open... over the years you carve yourself into a given shape. The challenge is to keep discovering the green growing edge. " (Keen, 1999)

Volunteering provides the opportunity to make a contribution, to be needed, to connect with others in a way that can make a difference in the quality of their lives and in the quality of ours, as well.

These relationships and contributions establish a new role for the older adult,continuing his/her contribution to the community, providing new sources of connectedness, support, and meaning.

Older adults continue to grow, learn, and develop, building on the knowledge, skills and wisdom acquired through a lifetime of experience.

Research has also demonstrated that volunteering improves health and promotes longevity. We experience improved cardiovascular health, enhanced immune system functioning, improved concentration, and increased self-esteem. Dr. James House of the University of Michigan studied a group of older adults for over a decade, finding that regular volunteer work, more than any other activity, significantly increased life expectancy. A recent study by Cornell University revealed volunteering was especially beneficial to men, individuals living in urban settings, those with less income, in poor health, and retirees who don't work.

Recent research on centenarians reflected in books such as "Successful Aging" and "Living to 100" challenge many of the myths of aging. Both the New England Centenarian study and the MacArthur Foundation study of Successful Aging found that successful adaptation to aging involved older adults continuing to live productive lives, involved with family and community. Aging, for those of us who do it successfully, is a time of ongoing activity and growth.

Older adult volunteers provide us not only hours of valuable service, but a model for our own successful aging. This issue focuses on older adult volunteer programs, opportunities and resources. We hope it will prove of interest and value to you.

References

Kahn, Robert and John Rowe. Successful Aging. Delacorte Press, 1999.

Keen, Sam. Learning to Fly: Trapeze Reflections on Fear, Trust, and Joy of Letting Go. Broadway Books, 1999.

Perls, Tom; Silver, Margery; and John Lauerman. Living to 100: Lessons in Living to Your Maximum Potential at Any Age. Basic Books, 1999.

Peer Volunteers: Staying Sober and Helping Others

Ken D. no longer waits for permission to act. As a member of the Peer Volunteer Group at the Longford Care Unit of Kent Community Hospital in Grand Rapids, Ken, a 74 year old, retired salesman, former heavy drinker, and recovering alcoholic looks for opportunities to get involved. As he gains sober experience, his gratitude for what he has been given-to stay sober and to help other seniors - grows daily. In his own words, "I never realized that staying out of trouble could be so much fun!"

The Peer Volunteer Group developed out of necessity. Two of the first patients completing the Longford Older Adult services, a joint effort of the Longford Care Unit and Gerontology Network, approached the program staff, asking the following questions: "How are we going to stay sober?" and "How Call we help others?" Both had previous experience with substance abuse treatment, as well as periods of involvement with Alcoholics Anonymous.

Both were aware that relapse often occurs when an individual, attempting to use will power and sheer grit tries to face the difficult realities of recovery - alone. Peer Volunteers are looking for a way out of addiction which will allow them, as seniors, to find a new reason for living, and to learn new ways of coping with old problems. The Peer Volunteer Group was initiated in the Spring of 1992, with cooperation from a local, "50+/" Senior A.A.Group, and ongoing consultation from the Older Adult Recovery Center in Ann Arbor, the Older Adult Chemical Dependency Program of Chelsea Community Hospital, and members of the Network Leadership Council. Volunteers recruited from the community, both former Longford patients, and A.A. members, must meet the following criteria:

Alcohol free (6 mo. minimum) & compliant with all medication use
Active participant in community based sober support
Ability to share sober experience and willingness to help others

Orientation and ongoing training of Peer Volunteers is a function of the Educational Services of the Gerontology Network, and a cooperative effort of the Longford Alumni -Seniors Group, and A.A. The group size has fluctuated from as many as twenty, to as few as five. All participants choose volunteer activities which suit their individual abilities and needs. Some are directly involved in support of treatment services; some provide sober transportation and community support; others provide information to family members and caregivers. All of the Peer Volunteers report that these specialized volunteer services help them to stay sober, while helping other seniors achieve safe, healthy, and sober lives. For Info Contact: Kevin O'Hara at (800) 422-0909.

Senior Players: It's All Just an Act

Across Michigan, in communities large and small, Senior Players lend their professional and amateur abilities to acting troupes whose primary mission is to promote health and successful aging by combining dramatic performance, role play, skits, poetry interpretation, Reader's Theatre, storytelling, and even an occasional song or two. These senior thespians integrate Substance Abuse and Disease Prevention messages into their performances providing entertainment along with accurate information about safe use of medications, over-the-counter meds and alcohol. Plays and skits demonstrate effective means for coping with the many changes and challenges of aging.

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" - Albert Schnoeitzer

Senior acting troupes, such as the Peer Prevention Players of Grand Rapids, which began in 1985, have continued to grow over the years. Initially performing for local audiences in West Michigan, they have expanded to venues across the state, performing for hundreds of groups - at community centers, churches, and professional conferences.

Various community acting groups have benefited from interactive trainings, such as the Statewide Training presented by the Gerontology Network in June 1998, via funding support of the Michigan Department of Community Health. These trainings combine seasoned actors with enthusiastic amateurs, demonstrating basic skills, and experimenting with creative performance techniques. Regular training offers individual troupes' practice time and experience with new materials, often developed by authors from within the group.

From time to time, Players groups perform together, highlighting the talents of such groups as the Chelsea Players (Ann Arbor), the Mad Flatters (Flint), the Curtain Time Players (Grand Rapids), the Elder Council (Lansing), the Myth Begotten Players (Dearborn), the Peer Prevention Players (Grand Rapids), and the Oldsters of the Attic Theatre (Detroit) providing creative entertainment for Michigan residents of all ages. Intergenerational role-plays have helped seniors and teens to appreciate the similarities and complexities of growing up and growing older.

Being involved as Senior Players is a very special way which keeps these many dedicated seniors active, flexible, and involved with the community even if when the curtains open, and the houselights dim - it's really all just an act!

For Information about Senior Players contact the local Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), or call The Peer Prevention Players at Gerontology Network Educational Services at (888) 243-3144, Ext.214.

Retired & Senior Volunteer Program: RSVP Please

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is the best example of a truly cooperative effort combining funding, technical assistance, and support from the Corporation for National Service, the State of Michigan, and local communities.

RSVP offers older adults (age 55+) opportunities for meaningful involvement during their retirement through volunteer service, which responds to community needs.

These senior volunteers serve without compensation, although they do receive reimbursement for transportation and meals Insurance coverage is provided while the volunteers are on assignment, RSVP volunteers are recruited, given opportunities for training, and placed throughout the community in non-profit public and private organizations.

For additional information contact your local Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, or the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging at (517) 373-8230.

Elder Advisors: Keeping the Institute of Gerontology Informed

The Institute of Gerontology (IOG) has found a valuable resource in the insights provided by the Elder Advisors to Research (EAR), an active group of older adults, which represents a range of cultural backgrounds, disciplines, and professional experience. They have cooperated with the IOG staff for the past three years suggesting ways that research might be translated into effective assistance for older Americans. They provide meaningful advice and historical insight, which allows the IOG to promote successful aging, and to focus advocacy, research, and educational programs. The experience and wisdom of the members of EAR is a resource, which brings vision, energy, leadership, and knowledge to the work of the IOC. (From TRANSITIONS, Spring 1999, Volume 6, No. 1)

Inquiries are welcome: call Dr. Chapleski or Dr. Cochran at the IOG, (313) 577-2297, or visit the IOG WebPages at www.iog.wayne.edu.

Resources

On the Web...

AARP (American Association of Retired Persons): Practical resources on aging, health, and retirement. Up-to-date information on policy areas, legislation, and current issues in the field of aging. Links to other aging-related sites.
Corporation for National Service: Information on the opportunities for senior volunteers in Corporation for National Service including Senior Corps Volunteer Programs - Foster Grandparents, Retired Senior Volunteers, and Senior Companions. Link to the Amen Corps Program.
Energize, Inc.: Wide variety of volunteer related materials including a bookstore, library, job bank, hot topics, reflections, recognition, and links to other N volunteer related sites.
Virtual Volunteering Project: Information on "virtual volunteering" - volunteering done by people in their homes, on their computers. This Texas based project presents an excellent model, which could be replicated in other sites. An interesting approach, which utilizes older adults and individuals with disabilities who wish to volunteer, but have difficulties with transportation or mobility.
Volunteer Today: An electronic gazette for volunteering. Current news and calendars in the field of volunteering. Links to other volunteer related sites.

Books...

Episodic Volunteering: Building the Short-Term Volunteer Program: (Nancy Macduff, Bunt publishing, ISBN: 0954695092, 1991) A book about a new form of volunteering - time limited, short term involvement of volunteers on a specific project. A new way of thinking about volunteers volunteer recruitment, and volunteerism.
Living to 100: Lessons in Living to Your Maximum Potential at Any Age: (Tom Perls, M.D., Margery Silver, Ph.D., and John Lauerman, Basic Books, ISBN: 0465041426,1999) A report on the New England Centenarian Study (NECS), the first comprehensive research oil individuals 100 years of age and older. Presents a new positive view of aging focused on the potential for growth, ongoing accomplishment, and health for older adults. Provides a guide for those of us who are younger from those who have aged well.
Older Volunteers: A Guide to Research and Practice: (Lucy Rose Fisher and Kay Banister Schaffer, 1991) Methods for effectively recruiting, retaining, and managing older adult volunteers. Based on research from outstanding volunteer programs, includes sections on motivations for volunteering and research on minority older adults. Available through the Points of Light Foundation, (800) 272-8306
Successful Aging: (Robert Kahn, Ph.D., John Rowe, M.D., Delacorte Press, ISBN: 0440508630) A report on the MacArthur Foundation Study of Successful Aging, a 10 year inquiry on remaining independent, healthy, vigorous, and mentally active intothe90'sand 100's. A clear presentation of surprising findings, which challenge commonly held beliefs about aging as a process of deterioration. The roles of social involvement, ongoing learning, diet, and exercise in healthy aging are explored.
The Volunteer Recruitment Book: (Susan Ellis, Energize Books, ISBN: 094057618X, 1996) Practical suggestions, beyond the obvious, for recruiting volunteers. Includes topics such as designing positions, how your organization's image affects recruitments and where to took for volunteers.

Network Profile is published with support from the Michigan Department of Community Health - Division of Substance Abuse Quality and Planning, and in cooperation with the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging and members of the Network Leadership Council, Older Adult Network Project. Quotations from or reproductions of articles contained in this publication are permissible as long as the source is cited.

Since 1979, Gerontology Network (GN) has been helping older adults maintain or increase their independence and restore meaning to their lives. GN provides many programs designed to serve the older adult, their families, and their care providers.

For further information, please call Regina McClurg at (616) 977-3300.

Michigan Older Adult Substance Abuse Network