Giving Back: To Those Who Served Our Country

The effects of aging could make some seniors feel they can no longer give back to their community or help family and friends.

But every day, older adults across North America prove that – with a little help – seniors can still make a difference. The Home Instead Senior Care^® network has captured simple and adaptable ideas from seniors and care community professionals to create the “Give-Back” program.

The “Give-Back” program is a series of resources for caregivers and care community activity professionals who are trying to help keep even frail and isolated seniors engaged and provide them opportunities to help others. Some projects can be adopted by an individual; others are ideal for group projects or as a meaningful activity with friends.

The need to be needed does not diminish with age, experts say. Keeping seniors connected and giving back might even help them age with better health, and help reduce feelings of isolation and depression. 

For many seniors, the idea of giving back to the soldiers currently serving in the armed forces is an appealing prospect.

Get started

If you’re helping a senior or group of older adults send a parcel or care package to deployed troops, do your research on the best way to send it, the time it will take your parcel or package to arrive, and the cost and any special requirements of mailing, such as the completion of a customs form.  If sending to a stranger, help protect an older adult’s identity and security by not including the senior’s personal information or address. 

Soldiers’ Angels (www.soldiersangels.org) is an example of an organization that helps facilitate sending letters and care packages to the military. Here are the organization’s guidelines for a soldier adoption: 

• Go to this web page for complete details about a soldier adoption: http://soldiersangels.org/adopting-a-soldier.html.

•  To assist a senior in adopting a soldier, a family member or helper can become a “verified angel.” Before giving access to a soldier’s personal information, such as the soldier's name and address, Soldiers' Angels requires that each verified angel’s identity be verified (and re-verified each month) at a monthly minimum donation (which can be as little as $1). Verified members can participate in any of Soldiers’ Angels programs.

• This “verified angel” is the point of contact for the adopted soldier. Mentors will be available to help the “verified angel” by answering questions and providing guidance.

•  The adoption commitment involves sending at least one letter a week and at least one care package a month throughout the soldier’s deployment.

•       If you are interested in planning this as a group activity in a care community, contact Group Support at groups@soldiersangels.org.

For more resources and volunteer stories, go to SalutetoSeniorService.com. 

Giving Back: To the Community

The effects of aging could make some seniors feel they can no longer give back to their community or help family and friends.

But every day, older adults across North America prove that – with a little help – seniors can still make a difference. The Home Instead Senior Care^® network has captured simple and adaptable ideas from seniors and care community professionals to create the “Give-Back” program.

The “Give-Back” program is a series of resources for caregivers and care community activity professionals who are trying to help keep even frail and isolated seniors engaged and provide them opportunities to help others. Some projects can be adopted by an individual; others are ideal for group projects or as a meaningful activity with friends.

The need to be needed does not diminish with age, experts say. Keeping seniors connected and giving back might even help them age with better health, and help reduce feelings of isolation and depression. 

Most of us know someone who is ill, isolated, depressed or down on their luck. Look for opportunities to encourage a senior to help others. A family caregiver can assist by providing transportation and encouragement.

·         Churches/Faith Community – A senior could be a greeter, either standing or sitting. Or perhaps that older adult could help make a meal, bake cookies or even send greeting cards. Get started: Contact your local church or synagogue to find out how your senior may help.

·         Shelters – Homeless shelters and other emergency shelters rely on the goodness of others to survive with donations of time, talent, food and clothing. Get started: Call local homeless shelters and emergency shelters to discuss their needs and how to help.  

·         Where others need a friend – Encourage your senior to invite a friend to dinner, the mall, a museum or a local attraction, such as a botanical garden. Remember those in care communities likely want to go on outings if they still can.  Get started: Help coordinate a fun activity for a senior and his or her friend.

·         Senior Center – Senior centers can be great places for older adults to volunteer. Many centers need kitchen assistance, help with repairs and cleaning, or greeters who can make others feel at home. Get started: Encourage a senior to get involved by eating meals at the local senior center or taking part in the center’s activities.

·         Where people need help – Needs are all around, from reading to the blind to providing expertise for a community service project. Get started: Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or Chamber of Commerce to find out what’s going on and how a senior could help.

For more resources and volunteer stories, go to SalutetoSeniorService.com.

Giving Back: To Local Senior Care Communities

The effects of aging could make some seniors feel they can no longer give back to their community or help family and friends.

But every day, older adults across North America prove that – with a little help – seniors can still make a difference. The Home Instead Senior Care^® network has captured simple and adaptable ideas from seniors and care community professionals to create the “Give-Back” program.

The “Give-Back” program is a series of resources for caregivers and care community activity professionals who are trying to help keep even frail and isolated seniors engaged and provide them opportunities to help others. Some projects can be adopted by an individual; others are ideal for group projects or as a meaningful activity with friends.

The need to be needed does not diminish with age, experts say. Keeping seniors connected and giving back might even help them age with better health, and help reduce feelings of isolation and depression.

Seniors in care communities still need to feel useful. If a senior is living in an independent or assisted living community, or in skilled care, or if you are a staff member looking for a way to interest a senior in activities, check out these ideas.

Likewise, learn how seniors who are living independently can find fulfillment volunteering to help those living in a care community.

Get started

Encourage a senior living in a care community to give back by doing things they did at home. Work with care community staff to request they adapt activities that fit an older adult’s interests and abilities, such as having the senior:

• Deliver mail or newspapers
• Help bake cookies or cupcakes for a birthday (Some care communities have resident kitchens or use a transportable convection oven.)
• Arrange flowers
• Help decorate for holidays and special dinners
• Establish a community garden, walking club or recycling program for their neighbors
• Work in a candy store or gift shop
• Serve on the resident’s council (Many care communities have these councils to plan activities and help serve as a voice for care community residents.)
• Call bingo
• Help with programs (Read poems or tell stories for Memorial Day, Thanksgiving or Fourth of July, play the piano, sing, and help make and distribute programs for the event.)
• Introduce new members to the care community
• Provide transportation for another senior who can still get out to volunteer.

Remember to encourage a senior living independently to visit and give back to those seniors who are in skilled care by helping them write cards and letters, play bingo or board games, scrapbook and craft, or by hosting a coffee or social hour.

For more resources and volunteer stories, go to SalutetoSeniorService.com.

Giving Back: To Children

The effects of aging could make some seniors feel they can no longer give back to their community or help family and friends.

But every day, older adults across North America prove that – with a little help – seniors can still make a difference. The Home Instead Senior Care^® network has captured simple and adaptable ideas from seniors and care community professionals to create the “Give-Back” program.

The “Give-Back” program is a series of resources for caregivers and care community activity professionals who are trying to help keep even frail and isolated seniors engaged and provide them opportunities to help others. Some projects can be adopted by an individual; others are ideal for group projects or as a meaningful activity with friends.

The need to be needed does not diminish with age, experts say. Keeping seniors connected and giving back might even help them age with better health, and help reduce feelings of isolation and depression.

Seniors and children typically find it easy to bond. Even older adults in care communities still can connect with youth, often with the help of a caregiver, in the following ways.

Get started

Contact a local school district or community center to learn how your senior or group of older adults might give back. Keep in mind that school districts often have policies that may impact student travel or have in place certain security measures – such as conducting background checks – to protect their school’s children.

• Pen Pals – Older adults can serve as pen pals to children. Caregivers may need to help if a senior no longer can write. At the end of a school year, seniors and their pen pals can arrange a get-together to meet. It’s a great idea for a care community group activity as well.

• Mentors – Some schools and community centers need mentors. A participating school matches youth with senior mentors in a care community to provide direction on anything from history lessons to tips on making positive life changes. Request that a representative from the school or community center accompany the youth.

• Advisors – Talking with seniors might be better than reading a history book. Find out from the local school if teachers are planning units on the Great Depression, the wars of the last 50 years or what life was like in the past for the seniors living today. Even seniors who can’t meet with students could write about their experiences with a caregiver’s assistance.

• Foster Grandparents – Foster Grandparents, a Senior Corps program, provides seniors the opportunity to fill many of the roles mentioned above. Go to SeniorCorps.org (http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps/foster-grandparents) to learn more and to find a location.

For more resources and volunteer stories, go to SalutetoSeniorService.com. 

Giving Back: A Talent

The effects of aging could make some seniors feel they can no longer give back to their community or help family and friends.

But every day, older adults across North America prove that – with a little help – seniors can still make a difference. The Home Instead Senior Care^® network has captured simple and adaptable ideas from seniors and care community professionals to create the “Give-Back” program.

The “Give-Back” program offers resources for caregivers and care community activity professionals who are trying to help keep even frail and isolated seniors engaged and provide them opportunities to help others. Some projects can be adopted by an individual; others are ideal for group projects or as a meaningful activity with friends.

The need to be needed does not diminish with age, experts say. Keeping seniors connected and giving back might even help them age with better health, and help reduce feelings of isolation and depression. 

Older adults have spent a lifetime honing talents and hobbies. Learn the many ways they still can utilize those skills, with a little assistance.

Below are ways one can use his/her talent(s) to give back to others.

Knitting, crocheting and sewing – Some seniors, including those with dementia, can still knit and sew. Get started: Contact a church or hospital guild to learn of service projects that a senior could help with such as making prayer shawls or “Linus” blankets, or booties, blankets or hats for newborns.

Woodworking and Stained Glass – Whether they are skilled artisans or just hobbyists, many seniors enjoy working with natural materials. Get started: Encourage seniors to continue their hobbies, looking for ways they could give their creations to others who would appreciate their gifts.

Writing – Some older adults have the gift of writing. Get started: Look for projects where a senior could still use this skill, such as helping with a care community or church newsletter.

Entertaining – Many seniors enjoy playing music or performing for their contemporaries at care communities and hospitals. Get started: Call a hospital or care home to learn how a senior could share his or her talents.

Crafting and Scrapbooking – Many older adults like to craft and scrapbook. Get started: Encourage and help, if needed, a senior to create an ornament, scrapbook or other memento to give back a treasured keepsake to a family member or friend.

Baking and Cooking – Seniors who have always loved to cook or bake will value help doing what they still enjoy. Get started: Whether it’s Grandma’s dinner rolls or Aunt Beth’s famous pecan pie, help a senior bake these family goodies that you can give away, along with the recipe – if it’s not a secret!

For more resources and volunteer stories, go to SalutetoSeniorService.com.