Ageing and Society, 21(2), March 2001, pp.203-217.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Examines the motivation of older volunteers as they embarked on training to become lay leaders of an arthritis self-management programme. Found that volunteerism was motivated by three key needs: to fill the vocational void left by retirement, to feel a useful member of society by helping others and to find a peer group. The costs of volunteering were perceived as time, responsibility, invasion
Examines the motivation of older volunteers as they embarked on training to become lay leaders of an arthritis self-management programme. Found that volunteerism was motivated by three key needs: to fill the vocational void left by retirement, to feel a useful member of society by helping others and to find a peer group. The costs of volunteering were perceived as time, responsibility, invasion of social life, failure, anxiety and the duration and intensity of training. Nonetheless, older volunteers valued finding a purpose, reported less pain and an increased desire to 'get on with life'. Results suggest that volunteering in later life can help to offset losses associated with retirement and decline in health.
Subject terms:
older people, outcomes, retirement, self care, self-help groups, training, volunteers, attitudes, arthritis, health, health education;