Kathleen Donnelly
Director of Volunteer Services
Healthy, wealthy and wise…it’s an old phrase that most of us don’t really think much about. But when one of those elements is missing from the equation, the others suffer as well.
Health may be wealth, but it doesn’t assure wisdom. (We’ve all seen some pretty foolish behavior from those with the most money.) And wealth can’t buy health. Wisdom, on the other hand, provides opportunities to both enjoy good health and even to amass some degree of wealth.
Some of the wisest people in the world recognize and have attested to the health benefits of volunteering…from Harvard researchers to Mother Teresa. They have found that volunteering provides older adults with improved physical and mental health and with greater life satisfaction. It reduces the risk of hypertension, anxiety, and depression when compared with those who have never volunteered. Elderly volunteers report more satisfaction with their lives as a result of lending a hand.
And if that’s not enough motivation, consider that in one Johns Hopkins study, adults over age 59 doubled the amount of calories burned after volunteering at least 15 hours a week for a year, thus reducing their risk of weight gain and obesity-related conditions!
For high school and college students, volunteering helps develop an increased awareness of social responsibility and for helping others, as well as discover their passions and interests. Being involved in the community helps build self esteem, as well as cultivate interpersonal and communication skills that have long-term benefits, from college admissions, to the job market… and life. Volunteering at a skilled nursing facility provides an excellent opportunity to explore career choices and consider whether to pursue a future in healthcare.
During this week’s celebration of National Volunteer Recognition, people who give their time to social programs will be recognized and applauded for helping out in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, food pantries, animal shelters, museums, community centers, political organizations, veterans’ centers and hundreds of other worthy and engaging organizations. At Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, we salute the many dedicated men and women who come here every week to visit with our residents, conduct programs in our Adult Day Health Program, operate the Gift Shop, serve meals, transport residents to and from Occupational and Physical Therapy, assist with Recreation programs and provide support in offices and on Nursing Units. By making their volunteer activity a priority, they contribute to the quality of life enjoyed by our residents. And, while we can’t assure that volunteering brings more wealth, the return on investment can be better health and more wisdom.
For more information on volunteering at Gurwin, please call 631-715-2555, or online at https://www.gurwin.org/about/volunteer-opportunities/.
