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Elderly volunteers: assessing their potential as an untapped resource.
1School of Social Work, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
Journal of Aging & Social Policy
|December 10, 1991
Summary
Elderly individuals are a potential volunteer source, but their contribution depends on effective recruitment and training. Projections show increased volunteerism only with creative administrative strategies for future cohorts.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sociology of Aging
- Volunteer Management
Background:
- Aging populations present opportunities for volunteer recruitment.
- Policy analysts view the elderly as an untapped resource for human services.
- Societal expectations link elder populations with volunteerism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze factors influencing elderly volunteerism.
- To examine the origins and current status of elderly volunteer recruitment.
- To provide realistic projections for elderly volunteer contributions.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual framework examining age, period, and cohort effects on volunteerism.
- Analysis of factors contributing to and deterring elderly volunteer deployment.
- Review of societal expectations and current actualization of elderly volunteerism.
Main Results:
- Elderly volunteers are not a universal solution to resource shortages.
- Future cohorts of elderly volunteers may increase contributions.
- Creative recruitment and training are essential for maximizing elderly volunteerism.
Conclusions:
- Elderly volunteers require tailored recruitment and training strategies.
- Realistic projections necessitate understanding age, period, and cohort dynamics.
- Volunteer administrators must innovate to leverage the potential of older adults.