Giving time after 55, 65, or 75 is not only helping out. It supports health, mood, and a sense of purpose, while strengthening neighbourhood life. At the VBM, we see it every day: when someone chooses a role that fits, they gain as much as the community.

What research shows in simple terms

When a child takes part in a small act of solidarity, it does more than fill a few hours. It offers:

• Better mood and higher life satisfaction. People who volunteer or take part in social activities are more likely to maintain excellent overall health and report higher life satisfaction. This is shown in analyses from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging and recent data from Statistics Canada.

• More activity and stronger day to day functioning. A systematic review in the Canadian Geriatrics Journal finds that volunteering can increase physical activity and improve perceived functional ability, with no documented harms.

• A boost for cognitive health. Staying socially active, including through volunteering, is linked to more optimal aging and better global health indicators in Canadian cohorts.

• A possible effect on longevity. Pooled analyses of many studies show that older adults who volunteer have a lower risk of mortality than those who do not, even after accounting for other health factors.

• Less social isolation. In Canada, about 30 percent of older adults are at risk of isolation. Public health guidance encourages more opportunities to engage in community life, and volunteering is one concrete way to do so.
  (In short: moving, meeting people, and contributing is good for body, mind, and heart.

Why it feels good

Everyday meaning. Helping in a visible way, sharing strengths, and seeing impact builds self esteem and belonging.

Active routines. Getting out, learning, and teaming up add movement and structure to the week.

A protective network. A wider circle means better support when life gets tough, which also benefits mental and cognitive health.

How to start, step by step 

• Pick a role that fits you. Front desk welcome, mentoring, friendly visiting, Meals on Wheels, event support, school tutoring, repair workshops, community gardens, courtesy calls, book or oral history clubs, intergenerational arts projects. Go with your interests and pace.

• Start small. A regular activity, even modest, is often enough to feel benefits. Studies do not require many hours to see positive effects.

• Look for welcoming settings. Clear tasks, an initial orientation, flexible schedules, and regular recognition make the experience enjoyable and sustainable.

What the VBM offers

Many youth programs already include service and community-building activities. Volunteering in this context means:

• Personalized guidance to find a role aligned with your interests, mobility, and availability.

• Support for organizations to design clear, meaningful roles for older volunteers.

• Recognition of every form of contribution. We also value informal mutual aid and caregiving, without supporting them directly. Our role is to recognize these contributions and refer to specialized resources when needed.

In short

Volunteering as we grow older is a win for you and for the community. Canadian findings point in the same direction: staying socially active, in your own way, improves wellbeing, supports daily functioning, stimulates cognition, widens your network, and may even be linked to longer life.

Key references

• Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). Social participation and optimal aging in older adults, 2023.

• Canadian Geriatrics Journal. Moore A and colleagues, Volunteer impact on health related outcomes for seniors, systematic review and meta analysis, 2021.

• Statistics Canada. Older people much more likely to be highly satisfied with their lives than younger adults, 2024.

• Government of Canada. Social isolation of seniors, Volume 1, 2024.

• Okun M A and colleagues. Volunteering by older adults and risk of mortality, meta analysis, 2013.
   

Take action

Ready for a first step? Create your profile on the VBM website, explore postings near you, or contact our orientation team. Together, let us build a community where everyone grows older connected, healthy, and proud.