There are many ways that all of us can help ensure that we have quality aging servcies for our loved ones.

---

Volunteering to Help Older Adults
Do you have a special interest in older people? Maybe you treasure your grandparents or just appreciate the wisdom and generosity of an older person you know very well. Or you may be looking for a volunteer opportunity that could lead to an interesting and rewarding career. Whatever the reason, and whatever your age, you're considering volunteering and helping older people. Where do you start? We can help answer that question and others as you begin your search for the best fit for you and your interests.

Why Volunteer?
There are lots of reasons you might want to consider volunteering. Here are some reasons that other young people have mentioned:

• To make a difference
• To use a special skill or talent
• To gain experience that can lead to a career
• To make contacts
• To express your faith
• To meet people
• To help others
• To enhance your personal growth or self-esteem
• To have a more balanced life
• To give something back to the community
• To earn service hours for a club or school
• To meet graduation requirements

If any one of these reasons or a combination of them strikes a chord with you, you're probably ready to try volunteering. For many young people, being involved in a community organization or activity outside their school or place of worship is just as important as a sport or any other extracurricular activity. For you, it may be even more important. You won't know until you try.

Some Options to Consider
Nursing Homes and Assisted Living. You may want to check out a nursing home or assisted-living facility in your area as a possibility for volunteering. Many young people volunteer in nursing homes, and there are many things you can do that will bring joy to their residents and to you. Here are some examples.

• Visiting an Older Person - It may be as simple as visiting a resident or a group of residents once a week, just to talk. Talking with someone who doesn't have a lot of visitors is a form of volunteering.
• Providing Entertainment - You may have musical talent or dramatic leanings. Come and perform for the residents.
• Joining in an Activity - All homes for the aging schedule social and recreational activities for their residents. You can help with these group activities and events, or you might simply read out loud to one person or more.

To find a nursing home or assisted-living facility in your area, check the yellow pages in the phone book; call your local Agency on Aging (in the government listings of the phone book); or check listings on the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging's web site (www.aahsa.org ). Senior Housing. There are probably housing facilities for older people in or near your community. Senior housing ranges from continuing care retirement communities to subsidized housing for low- and moderate-income elderly.

While you can visit, read to, or entertain frail, older residents in housing facilities, there are also many active older persons living in these apartments or houses who might welcome your company or assistance. Other volunteer opportunities might include assisting in shopping or errands for a resident, helping with the library or gift shop, setting up a holiday party, or helping with arts and crafts.

Community Services Agencies. In most communities, there are many home and community-based services available to seniors living at home. Many of the organizations that provide these services need volunteers. Consider these opportunities:

• Helping out at a senior Center
• Friendly visiting
• Reading aloud
• Helping to deliver meals
• Assisting with chore services

How Do You Start?
Here are some starting tips from others who've volunteered a lot:

• Choose a volunteer job that interests you.
• Be realistic about your time and schedule. School, work, or other obligations may prevent you from volunteering during the week, but weekends or holidays may be when they need someone the most.
• Consider how you will get there. Not everyone has their own car or access to public transportation, but you need to plan how you will get to your volunteer commitment.
• Explore a number of options in your community. Below are several resources for helping seniors that you can explore.
• Go check them out one by one.
• Ask questions of the volunteer coordinator.
• If at first you don't succeed, keep trying. Be persistent.
• Make a decision that's comfortable for you.

When you begin your volunteer assignment, make sure you show up when you say you will. Be responsible. Even though you're not being paid, others will still count on you to be there when you say you will. Volunteering can be hard work, but don't ever think that you're not making a difference. You are. Remember: Just because someone doesn't always say "Thank you" out loud doesn't mean they don't appreciate what you're doing for them.

Resources
Your yellow pages directory or a web-based directory are easy places to start. You can look up locations and phone numbers for assisted living, senior health and housing services, nursing homes, retirement and life-care communities, home health care, adult day care, etc. These are common yellow pages headings used in many areas of the country.

Check with your area Agency on Aging (www.n4a.org) for any programs that might already exist to help you.

Some Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops offer senior volunteering as a badge activity and may have already-established programs.

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
2519 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008-1520. 202-783-2242. Web site: http://www.aahsa.org. The Web site's Consumers section includes information about different types of homes and services for the aging; and information on careers in aging services. Listings of homes for the aging in every state appear on the association's website.

American Association of Retired Persons
601 E Street, NW, Washington DC 20049. 202-434-2277 or 800-424-3410. Web site: http://www.aarp.org. This site includes lots of information on aging and services for older Americans, including volunteering.

Generations United
c/o 122 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. 202-638-1263. Web site: http://www.gu.org. A resource for young people trying to find out about programs by region, state, or program type. The website lists publications especially for young people who want to help the aged.

National Aging Information Center
Administration on Aging, 330 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20201. This Web site includes information about places you may want to volunteer. www.aoa.dhhs.gov