We have shared a number of articles on this site about the benefits of volunteering for older adults. When you read even a couple of these articles, you can clearly see that volunteering is positively beneficial for you on many levels.

Volunteering also improves our positivity when we put some efforts towards helping others. As such, some of the below is helpful around many things you can do to positively impact your life personally and some resources to volunteer with age-friendly places.

Here are some resources to help you improve your positivity and live positively:

• “Positive Aging: 10+ Principles to Shift Beliefs Around Age” found HERE. They provide three positive psychology exercises for free. They say, positive aging allows us to weather the expected and unexpected changes we experience. If you wish, you can download a free positive psychology exercise pack HERE you just need to share your email address to get it. A quote from their website on the definition of positive ageing: “The process of maintaining a positive attitude, feeling good about yourself, keeping fit and healthy, and engaging fully in life as you age.” (Positive Psychology Institute, n.d.).
• “Volunteering, Self-Perceptions of Aging, and Mental Health in Later Life” found HERE. Volunteering for 100 hours or more per year was found to be associated with older adults’ more positive and less negative self-perceptions of aging which in turn predicted fewer depressive symptoms.
• The Fountain of Health, a Canadian national non-profit educational resource, that provides free educational webinars and workshops. A goal of theirs is to promote brain health and break down myths and stereotypes about ageing. They say, research shows that there are five actions you can take to maximize your health and happiness no matter what your age. Find out more about The Fountain of Health and their free webinars and workshops HERE and HERE.
• Volunteer Canada Older Adults page found HERE.
• Senior Toronto, one of many places that list volunteer opportunities where at least some are specifically for older adults, found HERE
• Canadian Seniors Directory, to discover seniors’ services and events, found HERE.
• Health Aging CORE (Collaborative Online Resources and Education) Canada found HERE. Resources on CORE include checklists, toolkits, reports, studies, videos, and other materials on topics relevant to those working or volunteering in support of healthy aging and older adult independent living.
• Active Living Ontario site found HERE.
• National Seniors Council of Canada found HERE.
• HelpAge Canada found HERE. Since 2020, Age Better (formerly Seniors Can!), by HelpAge Canada, has improved the lives of thousands of older Canadians. Age Better are creating inclusive communities across Canada by providing low-income and marginalized older adults with access to the equipment, services, and programs necessary to lead healthy, connected and engaged lives.
• NICE Canadian online resources for older adults found HERE.
• 15-minute workout for older adults found HERE. This 15-minute exercise video for older adults features a warm-up, strength, flexibility, and balance exercises; and a cool down. Learn more about the benefits of staying active as you age. ALERT: consult your doctor prior to engaging in any exercise program.
• “Productive Aging by Environmental Volunteerism: A Systematic Review” found HERE. This review examines the current state of environmental volunteerism for older adults. They conclude, environmental volunteerism may be a positive model for older adults, society, and environment. Three types of volunteering were identified: greening, recycling, and project-oriented. Their shared factors included physical activity, social connection, and meaningful purpose. Environmental volunteerism is associated with benefits in physical health, mental wellbeing, social capital, and personal empowerment with no apparent drawbacks. Retired people find a purpose to live, opportunities for socialization and physical activity, and increased self-esteem in the process.

“Our ultimate goal, after all, is not a good death but a good life, to the very end.”
Dr. Atul Gwande in his book On Being Mortal