‘Keeps me grateful’: how volunteering can help older adults

Older adults who volunteer have reduced risk of mortality, more optimism and feel less depressed and lonely

By the time she turned 61, Amy Laskey had gained a lot of time. Previously, she had been working full time in municipal finance, raising a son and helping to take care of an elderly parent. But then her parent passed away, her child grew up, and she retired.

In place of those duties Laskey, now a 64-year-old retiree in New York City, started volunteering. She participates in conversation practice for an ESL class, ushers for classical music venues, and writes letters to incarcerated individuals. She also did financial coaching at a social services organization, which eventually turned into a part-time job.

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