How To Become A Volunteer For A Retirement Community

By: Jackie Barlow

Break Studios Contributing Writer

If you are wondering how to become a volunteer for a retirement community, just take time to think of your talents and how you could make other people happy. Volunteering in a retirement community will make you feel good as well as doing an appreciated service for the elderly.

If you always enjoyed spending time with your parents or grandparents, many people in retirement homes and communities have no visitors. You can learn which communities are in your general area from the phone book or from recommendations given by older people in your neighborhood.
Call and make an appointment to go in and talk to the Activities Director or other appropriate staff members to find out which residents would appreciate the time you are willing to devote to them on a regular basis and which services they would like to see you perform.
Your time spent can be as simple as taking in books and magazines and even reading to the residents if their eyesight is not good.
You can read their mail to them and offer to sit there and reply so that they only have to sign their names and thus can keep in touch with their correspondents.
If you enjoy playing games such as chess or cards or board games, or putting jigsaw puzzles together, find out who in the retirement community also likes to do such things.
Spend time with them individually or organize a group activity. If the retirement community puts on bingo, offer to be a caller or the one who assists with passing out prizes or whatever else is needed.
If you have musical talent of any kind or sing, offer to entertain the residents perhaps once every month or two. The staff will be happy to arrange for your presentation.
If you are talented in any type of hobby, you can offer to put on a class on a regular basis for those who would like to take part whether they enjoy that hobby, also, or would want to learn it.
If your talents are clerical, offering to spend an hour or so every so often to help out with the many details needed in the office at the retirement community. That will be greatly appreciated.
If the retirement community has a library, offer to go in and re-shelve the incoming books.
If your talent is creative such as decorating, offer to come in for holidays and help decorate the dining room and other areas of the retirement community. Decorations always give a boost to residents' moods.