Ohio Department of Aging

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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2007

April 15-21 Is National Volunteer Week
Governor, Department of Aging Salute Those Who Inspire By Example

COLUMBUS - The annual celebration of National Volunteer Week, April 15 - 21, is not only the perfect time to recognize the rich contributions of senior volunteers, but also a time to get involved and lend them a hand. The Ohio Department of Aging and Ohio's aging network make available an array of volunteer opportunities for older Ohioans to serve and to be served, allowing them to express their spirits through community involvement.

"Older people give more than 350,000 hours of their time each year, helping people of all ages," said Governor Ted Strickland. "Volunteerism gives seniors the opportunity to contribute their time, energy, and a lifetime of knowledge to their communities. In return, they develop friendships, learn new skills and gain the knowledge that their services are still needed and appreciated."

National Volunteer Week is about thanking one of America's most valuable assets - our volunteers - and calling the public's attention to all that they do to improve our communities. The 2007 theme, "Inspire By Example," reflects the power volunteers have to inspire the people they help, as well as to inspire others to serve.

"Senior citizens throughout the state provide their communities with needed assistance in many areas, especially education, health, and elderly care-related capacities," said Barbara E. Riley, Director, Ohio Department of Aging. "Without volunteers, many organizations and programs, such as Meals on Wheels and the Volunteer Ombudsman Associate Program, would not be able to provide the help that so many Ohioans depend upon."

For information about Ohio's volunteer Long-term Care Ombudsman program or to become a volunteer, call the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-800-282-1206.

For volunteer opportunities around Ohio, call 1-866-243-5678 to be connected to your Area Agency on Aging.

Governor's Proclamation…

Senior Volunteer Opportunities in Ohio…

Facts About Volunteers

Ohio (2006 data):

  • Nearly 19,000 older Ohioans contributed their time and talents through volunteer programs.
  • 1,125 Foster Grandparent volunteers served in 9 projects with more than 3,500 youth with special needs.
  • 595 Senior Companion members volunteered in 6 projects and helped more than 1,100 homebound older and other adults.
  • 16,568 Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteers served in 25 projects by conducting safety patrols for local police departments, participating in environmental projects, tutoring and mentoring youth, responding to natural disasters, and providing other services through more than 1,900 groups across Ohio.
  • 546 certified Volunteer Ombudsmen worked a total of 18,395 volunteer hours.

Nationally:

  • More than 61 million people volunteered through or for an organization at least once between September 2005 and September 2006. That represents more than a quarter of the entire U.S. population.
  • Senior volunteers, age 65 and over, spent an average of 104 hours per individual annually on volunteer activities during 2006.
  • Volunteers spent a median of 52 hours on volunteer activities during the period from September 2005 to September 2006. Men reported spending about 52 hours volunteering and women reported about 50 hours. Median annual hours spent on volunteer activities ranged from a high of 104 hours for volunteers age 65 and over to a low of 36 hours for those 25 to 34 years old.
  • Older people, many of whom are in the early years of retirement, are more likely to volunteer than young adults.
  • Baby boomers ages 55 and over are the second most active group of volunteers.
  • The estimated dollar value of volunteer time was $18.77 per hour in 2006.
  • Older volunteers were more likely to volunteer mainly for religious organizations than were their younger counterparts. For example, 44.7 percent of volunteers age 65 and over did their service mainly through or for a religious organization, compared with 30.1 percent of volunteers age 16 to 24 years.
  • Senior volunteers are generally healthier than the senior population in general. Volunteering also increases one's cognitive and mental well-being.
  • Studies show that regular volunteering prolongs life, improves physical and psychological well-being and benefits our immune systems, protecting us from disease.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Monthly Labor Review Online, Independent Sector Survey on Volunteers

About ODA

The Ohio Department of Aging serves and represents two million Ohioans age 60 and older. The Department advocates for the needs of all older citizens, with an emphasis on improving the quality of life for older Ohioans, helping them live active, healthy and independent lives, and promoting positive attitudes toward aging and older people. The Department provides services to older Ohioans through 12 area agencies on aging, home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman and the Golden Buckeye Card. For more information, visit www.goldenbuckeye.com.

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Ohio: So Much to DiscoverOhio Department of Aging
Ted Strickland, Governor - Barbara E. Riley, Director
50 W. Broad St./9th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
1-800-266-4346 - TTY: (614) 466-6161
The Department of Aging is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

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