Retirement brings freedom, but many people also miss the structure, purpose and social contact that work provided. Volunteering can fill that gap. Studies have linked volunteering in later life with better mood, less loneliness and a stronger sense of purpose. And communities benefit from the experience and skills older adults bring.
Start with what matters to you
Before you sign up, ask yourself:
- What causes do I care about? Children, animals, health, the environment, the arts, your faith community?
- What do I enjoy doing? Working with people, working with your hands, organizing, teaching, driving, cooking?
- What skills can I share? Your career skills, such as bookkeeping or carpentry, or hobbies like gardening or sewing.
- What do I want to avoid? Some people want a complete break from their old job; others want to use it.
- How much time and energy do I have? A few hours a month, or several days a week?
Ideas to consider
- Schools and libraries: reading with children, tutoring or helping with library programs.
- Food banks and meal programs: sorting food, serving meals or delivering home meals to older neighbors.
- Hospitals and hospices: greeting visitors, sitting with patients or helping families.
- Animal shelters: walking dogs, socializing cats or fostering.
- Parks and gardens: trail maintenance, community gardening or leading nature walks.
- Museums and historical societies: guiding tours or helping with archives.
- Faith communities: visiting homebound members or helping with events.
- Helping other older adults: volunteer driving, friendly visiting, Medicare counseling through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or free tax help through community tax programs.
- Mentoring: sharing career experience with young people or small business owners.
Where to find opportunities
- Your local Area Agency on Aging, found through the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
- Libraries, senior centers and community centers.
- AmeriCorps Seniors programs such as Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions, where available.
- Local nonprofits and online volunteer matching sites.
- Your faith community or service clubs.
Try it before you commit
Ask whether you can try a role for a few weeks or months. Find out:
- How many hours are expected, and how flexible the schedule is.
- What training is provided.
- What the physical demands are, such as standing, lifting or driving.
- Whether there is a background check, and whether you will be reimbursed for expenses like mileage.
Avoid burnout
It is easy to say yes to everything once people learn you are retired. Set limits that leave room for rest, family and your own health. It is fine to change roles if one is not a good fit.
Volunteering and your taxes
You cannot deduct the value of your time, but if you itemize, you may be able to deduct unreimbursed out-of-pocket costs of volunteering for a qualified charity, such as mileage at the IRS charitable rate. Keep records, and check the current rules or ask a tax preparer.
