Benefits of volunteering in aged care

Aged care volunteers in particular play a valuable role in making a positive difference in the lives of older Australians. From assisting with leisure and other activities to helping to access community services and administration, there are plenty of aged care volunteer opportunities for people to get involved in and help residents stay socially connected.

So what are some of the benefits of volunteering?

1. You get to meet new people

If you become an aged care volunteer, there's no doubt about it - you're going to meet new people and make new friends.

You'll have the opportunity to interact with a range of faces, from other volunteers to care centre staff members and allied health professionals. And of course you'll not only meet but forge positive connections with residents and their families.

2. Share your skills and knowledge

We all have skills, wisdom and stories that we have accumulated over time, no matter how young or old we are. As a volunteer in aged care you'll have plenty of opportunities to share your unique wealth of knowledge.

Are you a good listener, do you have a driver's licence, do you enjoy running activities, or are you well organised? Volunteering in aged care could be for you, and these are just some of the skills aged care organisations are looking for when it comes to recruiting volunteers.

Working in an office may have given you the skills required to help provide administration support in a residential aged care centre; a life of travel would give you plenty of stories to share as you provide companionship to residents; and raising a bunch of teenagers has probably made you pretty tech savvy and you can assist residents to stay socially connected with their family, friends and community via their smart devices.

3. Learn new things

Just as you have a unique set of skills, when you volunteer in aged care you will have the opportunity to meet a group of people with different background, interests and opinions.

If you choose to become an aged care volunteer be ready to interact and learn from some pretty interesting individuals who are keen to chat to you about their day, their interests and what's happening in the world around them.

What better way to hear someone else's history and life stories and expand your mind to learn about things you have not experienced than through volunteering in your community.

Beyond this, to become a volunteer some training is needed so you will have the chance to expand your professional skill set as well.

4. Improve your wellbeing

A study by Volunteering Australia shows that volunteering is associated with better perceived mental wellbeing and happiness, as donating a person's time can provide them with a sense of personal satisfaction, greater social interaction and connectedness, and a more positive emotional state.

The research also found that volunteering gives a person a sense of purpose and a defined and meaningful role in society, especially for older people or people experiencing unemployment.

5. Give back to the community

Aged care volunteering is a great way to give back to your local community.

Volunteers hold a special place in any aged care centre team, especially in a not for profit organisation, as they are able to assist in delivering activities to personalise the care needs for every resident. As a volunteer you might also help with specialist programs for residents which offer varied experiences, both group and individual, including those residents with dementia or special needs.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in Australia volunteers provide substantial benefits to their communities. Organisations report that they bring new insights, enhance the image of the organisation, increase efficiencies and volume of operations, and improve effectiveness.