1 in 4 Americans age 55+ volunteer.  Why? It may be more than just a drive to help others. Increasingly studies show that volunteers enjoy social, emotional and physical health benefits that improve their daily quality of life and their biological profiles. Yes, giving means getting too!  It feels good and looks good on us. If you're volunteering already, great.  If not, consider making volunteerism part of your week.

Would you like to feel more productive or active and have the sense that life is better? Those are some of the physical and emotional benefits researchers find among volunteers. The effects are increased through affiliation with supportive organizations that provide good training and resources. In a recent study from Purdue University volunteers 70+ who regularly gave their time showed improved biological profiles. In other words, at the biological level, volunteers had less build up an aging protein associated with health risks,  "...there is something really distinctive about volunteering that positively affects a person's physical health,"  Seoyoun Kim, the doctoral student leading the study, concluded.

Rates of volunteerism by older adults have been steady for the last ten years though studies showing its benefits are mounting.  Since 2002 volunteerism has been known to help older Americans live longer, lower disability rates, and shorten depressions brought on by grief. Volunteers that engage intergenerationally note improved cognition and brain activity. Many volunteers like Jessie Strauss, whose work for the Guatemalan anti poverty program Safe Passage and Habitat for Humanity garnered her Inspiring Senior Volunteer of the Year in Washington state, gain sustained physical fitness from their role. Strauss takes a walk or visits the gym daily to stay in shape for her Habitat work. To keep Spanish skills crisp she connects with a local language group. Bottom line? Volunteering helps us as much as it helps others.

Volunteering as an older adult can seem daunting. How does one get started? If you're reading this blog you're online and have access to many resources that will help you connect with needs. Senior Corps is a good starting place. Their program RSVP provides training and supplemental insurance while you volunteer. May is Older Americans Month and, as part of that, May 19-23 is Senior Corps week so it's a great time to initiate a volunteer experience. If you attend a church or have a faith group that's also a wonderful place to start. Add your time to that of over 10 million other older adult volunteers who donate 1.8 billion hours of service annually. Starting is the first step toward an enjoyable experience and the added health benefits of volunteerism.

Sometimes wondering what skills we have or where we'd be needed can keep us from taking action. Think of volunteer needs in the broadest sense. Sue Henderson, Vice President of Operations for US/Canada Habitat for Humanity International reassures volunteers that in their organization a place can be found for most everyone's skills. "For seniors with construction expertise, there's an opportunity to use their specialized construction skills. But potential volunteers shouldn't only think about construction," she wrote. "Most Habitat affiliates have roughly five different business operations-property acquisition, fundraising, family selection and support, mortgage origination and servicing, and volunteer management and construction. Many affiliates also operate a Habitat ReStore. With such varied operations, there are unlimited opportunities for an older volunteer to find a niche that fits his or her existing skill sets and schedule." Habitat for Humanity estimates that 70% of US homeowners volunteering or partnering with Habitat on repairing owner occupied homes are older adults. The RV Care-A- Vanners, a primarily older adult Habitat group traveling the US and Canada, are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year!

Volunteering with an organization can provide the framework and resources for a positive experience but those with entrepreneurial leanings may want to start volunteering by launching a volunteer project. 68 year old Gloria Henderson, for instance, organized a gleaning group to stock food pantries and homeless shelters in North Carolina. Gloria Major Brown helped to establish the Virtual Village, Staying Put in New Canaan. Author Jytte Lokvig started the Alzheimer's Cafe movement in the United States. You don't necessarily need imagination or a lot of money to create a volunteer project. Act simply. If you see a need; fill it.

Volunteering helps our communities and improves lives. Volunteering at the ages of 55+ holds unique benefits to our mental and physical health. Volunteer with an organization or identify a need that a start-up volunteer program will fill but, please, consider the value of sharing your time. What we give gives back important aging support. Don't retire---keep active and engaged by volunteering!

Update January 2015: A new study from Gallup reports that volunteers report reduced stress and increased happiness.

Update May 2015: Lots of links to volunteer projects in this Time magazine profile of Boomers and giving back.