Thousands of elderly volunteers help ease health care crisis
Increased pressure on health and social care expected throughout 2017, has led thousands of older people in Scotland to step in and help ease the burden by gifting their time.
The Scotsman reports that new research from older people’s charity, Royal Voluntary Service, reveals over 432,000 people in Scotland aged 55 and over plan to volunteer in 2017, according to a survey. Royal Voluntary Service is one of the largest volunteer organisations in Britain. It has 35,000 volunteers, a large number of which support older people in hospital – from providing practical help and companionship on wards and making a patient’s stay in hospital more comfortable to assisting older people on their return home to settle back into their usual routine.
Given demand on services is set to grow, Royal Voluntary Service says more can be done to promote the benefits of volunteering, particular to older people.
Research shows nearly one in four (23 per cent) over-55s in the UK who currently, or plan to volunteer said retirement was the catalyst for this, Royal Voluntary Service wants it to become an integral part of many more retirees’ plans when they hang up their boots. This is echoed by one in ten of the over-55s polled, who say all retirees should volunteer.
Josephine Mill, head of support and Development for Royal Voluntary Service in Scotland said: “Volunteers are playing an increasingly essential role in this country, bringing help, smiles and conversation into the lives of a growing number of older people. The contribution they make in keeping our public services, particularly in the health and social care arena, functioning cannot be underestimated. It is inspiring to hear so many older adults are planning to share their time in 2017 and provide a much needed boost to the country’s volunteer workforce.”
The study reveals the top three reasons older people want to volunteer as: to give something back to the community (56 per cent), to stay mentally and physically active (38 per cent) and to meet more people (31 per cent). Research for Royal Voluntary Service by Professor James Nazroo found volunteering is not just a one-way street and by gifting their time, older people can also enjoy getting something back. It identified older people who volunteer are happier than their counterparts who don’t.
(Article source: The Scotsman)
