In the last couple of months, an interest in volunteerism has increased, in part due to a greater need for volunteers due to COVID-19 and newfound altruism by many. It seems that bad situations often bring out the best in people, and has led many to start or return to volunteering. However, traditional volunteering often involves a multitude of people or face-to-face interactions that are no longer safe, given the current social distancing measures. This has caused many of the people who want to volunteer to hold off on volunteering, due to safety concerns for both themselves and others. 

A recent survey created by Rosterfy – a work engagement platform – showed the fear that people have when it comes to volunteering during a pandemic. In the survey, previous volunteers were asked about their volunteering perceptions/intentions during the pandemic. From those surveyed, only 21% stated they were willing to volunteer (most likely, very likely or likely) in activities where no one was required to wear a face mask. However, over 74% stated they were most likely, very likely, or likely to volunteer if most participants were required willing to volunteer if facemasks were required by everyone involved.

When it comes to helping older adults, staying at home is vital given that they are the age group that is most at risk to the effects of Covid-19. However, it is hard for seniors to live ‘regular’ lives and fulfill their basic ‘human’ needs without leaving their homes. For them to fulfill their multiple needs, they need help from others. 

Two very important ways you can help seniors including: 

Help deliver food, grocery, and medicine. Front door drop-off allows older adults to obtain the food and medicine they need without being exposed to the virus.  

Connect with seniors. There are different ways you can connect with seniors including writing letters, talking them on the phone, and for more tech-advanced seniors, connect via a video or Zoom call. 

At DuPage Senior Citizens Council, we are committed to the well being, socialization, and security of our county’s 138,000 older adults. We recently started a new service called Friendly Phone Call Service. The service consists of volunteers calling older adults three times per week. It takes up less than an hour a week of our volunteers’ time and can be done from the comfort of their house, from their work, or even as they drive. We launched the service after many of our other services have been temporarily paused due to COVID-19 and the safety risks they posed to our older adults and volunteers. 

For Friendly Phone Call volunteers, it is an easy way for them to stay connected to volunteering. By engaging with seniors, they also get to catch a glimpse of the past and learn from older adults’ experiences and stories. 

If you are interested in becoming a Friendly Phone Call volunteer, sign-up by clicking here: 

Receiving a call from a volunteer makes a significant impact on older adults, and gives them something to look forward to. It can also provide them with enjoyable moments, which is vital given the uncertainty and stress that has been brought on by COVID-19. For many seniors, these calls may be their only form of socialization. As we know, contact with others is critical as many seniors live alone. 

Together with volunteers, we can continue to fight social isolation and help maintain their health and well-being.

Resources: 

https://www.whitneycenter.com/psychological-benefits-of-socialization-for-aging-adults/

https://www.actsretirement.org/latest-retirement-news/blog/2017/12/12/the-importance-of-socializing-for-seniors/

https://theconversation.com/social-isolation-the-covid-19-pandemics-hidden-health-risk-for-older-adults-and-how-to-manage-it-141277  

https://communityfoodshare.org/volunteer/individuals-families/

https://helpatyourdoor.org/volunteer/

https://rosterfy.com/volunteersurvey/ Save