Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/734304
15 15 Volunteers live longer! A former NCSF national officer was often heard to say that our members seem to live longer than the general population. As it turns out, there is verifiable data to support that observation! NCSF members are often volunteers, and volunteers tend to live longer. Several long term studies were done using surveys. They found that those individuals who were volunteers in their communities during the first wave of the survey had lower mortality rates at the second wave of the survey several years later, even when taking into account such factors as physical health, age, socioeconomic status, and gender. Researchers have also found that when patients with chronic or serious illness volunteer, those patients receive benefits beyond what can be achieved through medical care. Studies have also shown that the volunteer rates in each state are strongly connected with the physical health of the state's population. Health and volunteering data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Center for Disease Control, indicate that states with a high volunteer rate also have lower rates of mortality and incidences of heart disease. When comparing states, a general trend shows that health problems are more prevalent in states where volunteer rates are lowest. Helps community too! Studies of the relationship between volunteering and health demonstrate that there is a significant relationship between volunteering and good health: when older adults volunteer, they not only help their community but also experience better health in later years, whether in terms of greater longevity, higher functional ability, or lower rates of depression. These findings are particularly relevant today as Baby Boomers – the generation of 77 million Americans born between 1946 and 1964 – reach the age typically associated with retirement. We know that when the Baby Boomers were in their late 40s to mid-50s, they were volunteering at a higher rate than earlier generations did at the same age. However, efforts should be made to not only maintain current levels of volunteering among Baby Boomers, but to keep those Baby Boomers who already volunteer, serving in the future by providing substantial, challenging, and fulfilling volunteer experiences. The results of such efforts will not only help solve community problems, but simultaneously enhance the health of the growing number of older adults. A comprehensive review of this research can be found in the full report, "The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research", which can be downloaded at www.nationalservice.org. Materials drawn from: Oman et al.,1999; Lum and Lightfoot, 2005; Luoh and Herzog, 2002; Musick et al.,1999; Musick and Wilson, 2003; Thoits and Hewitt, 2001; Moen et al.,1992; Lum and Lightfoot,2005; Luoh and Herzog,2002; Morrow-Howell et al., 2003; Sabin,1993; Rogers,1996; Musick et al.,1999. WHYVOLUNTEER ? WHYVOLUNTEER ? WHYVOLUNTEER ? Win a gift card! Find the candy corn image hidden on a page of this magazine. All correct submissions will be included in a drawing. First Place: $100 Second Place: $50 Third Place: $25 Trick or Treat this is Sweet! The deadline is November 15, 2016. Send your answer to info@ncsf.com – include your name, address, cell phone number, and email. Your information will be used to assure that ncsF has updated records for contacting you. Your privacy is important to us. ncsF does not share your private information.