The Older Adult Volunteer Compared to the Nonvolunteer

Abstract

Characteristics of older adult volunteers and nonvolunteers who were active in a community center's programs were compared in order to determine correlates of voluntarism. Only two variables significantly differentiated: sex and past patterns of organizational participation. Findings suggest a high degree of consistency between past and present activity patterns of older adults. Implications related to pre-retirement planning and to the appropriate placement of the elderly in post-retirement activities.