Volunteerism and Older Adults

Abstract

Abstract Much has been written about volunteerism in general, and more specifically about the older volunteer. But what motivates a person to volunteer? How do they learn about the opportunity? What do they need to feel satisfied with the experience and how might that and other factors relate to whether they continue volunteering? The following literature review highlights some of the findings about volunteer motivation, satisfaction, recruitment, and retention as it relates to volunteers in general, older volunteers, and illustrative of one setting, hospice volunteers. Implications for social work practice with older persons are discussed.