Peeling Potatoes as Health Promotion? Self-Perceived Benefits of Volunteering among Older Adult Volunteers in a Norwegian Volunteer Centre

Abstract

In recent years, voluntary work undertaken by older people has been viewed as a possible way to link aging populations with individual and societal needs related to healthy aging. Based on focus group interviews, the study aims to clarify how volunteering is maintained in older populations and examines how older adults (aged 65+ years) in a Norwegian volunteer centre perceived the benefits of volunteering. The results of the study highlight the importance of the volunteer centre as a place in which to participate and be social, for a sense of belonging to a fellowship of co-volunteers, and as an arena for personal growth and adaption to old age. These aspects were described by the volunteers as health promoting. Additionally, the context of the voluntary work, as the volunteer activities and the way they were organized, was significant for their experiences. From these findings, it is a need for in-depth studies of the dynamics of everyday volunteer work in order to gain a better understanding of the relationship between self-rated health benefits and the organizational contexts in which older adults retain to work voluntarily.

The importance of meaningful participation: health benefits of volunteerism for older adults with mobility-limiting disabilities

“…While concerns have been raised about the limited robustness of many studies (cross-sectional versus randomised control trials) and the lack of clear insight into the causal mechanisms that bring about the benefits (Jenkinson et al ., 2013), findings from several studies suggest that participation is associated with improvements in physical and mental health, self-esteem and life satisfaction. The results also indicated participation is associated with reductions in depressive symptoms and lower mortality rates (Greenfield and Marks, 2004; Harris and Thoresen, 2005; Lum and Lightfoot, 2005; Carlson et al ., 2008, 2009; Hong and Morrow-Howell, 2010; Tang et al ., 2010; von Bonsdorff and Rantanen, 2011; Fried et al ., 2013; Anderson et al ., 2014; Parisi et al ., 2015; Berg and Johansen, 2017; Milbourn et al ., 2018). In addition, results from randomised control studies of the benefits of participation in Experience Corps, an intergenerational volunteer programme that placed older adults in public schools for two years, include improvements in physical functioning and increases in physical activity (Fried et al ., 2013; Parisi et al ., 2015; Varma et al ., 2016).…”

“…In addition, results from randomised control studies of the benefits of participation in Experience Corps, an intergenerational volunteer programme that placed older adults in public schools for two years, include improvements in physical functioning and increases in physical activity (Fried et al ., 2013; Parisi et al ., 2015; Varma et al ., 2016). In a recent study from Norway, the older adult participants described their volunteer work as contributing to their wellbeing and as a health promotion activity (Berg and Johansen, 2017).…”

Applying Neo‐Endogenous Development Theory to Delivering Sustainable Local Nature Conservation

“…The shifts in consumption from goods to experiences (such as conservation work for its therapeutic benefits) is likely to become significant (Wallman 2015). Moreover, a renewed concern for local environments is associated with greater sense of belonging (Berg and Johansen 2017).…”