Volunteers make older people healthier and happier

20 June 2011

EMBARGOED until 8.00 am, Monday 20 June 2011

Age Concern volunteers make older people healthier and happier

"Loneliness is as big a health risk as smoking" says Liz Baxendine, President of Age Concern New Zealand, "and our Accredited Visiting Service volunteers are doing a wonderful job of supporting lonely and socially isolated older people"

"Research shows that having good social networks can protect against a range of health problems like heart disease, memory loss, strokes, depression, and even the common cold" adds Ms Baxendine. "Older people tell us that chronic loneliness is amongst their four most pressing concerns, right up there with income, health care, and ageist attitudes".

The Age Concern Accredited Visiting Service provides around 70,000 visits per year to older people seeking more company and ways to link back into their community. The service matches older people to trained volunteers, who then visit them in their homes or take them out to enjoy activities and make other connections. The service currently employs over 2,000 volunteers based at local Age Concerns around New Zealand.

"We are delighted to say that we now have at least one visiting service in every DHB area" says Ms Baxendine. "This has been made possible through additional government funding provided to address service gaps in Tairawhiti, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, South Canterbury, and West Coast DHBs."

In the latest visitor and client satisfaction survey 100% of volunteer visitors who responded said that they enjoy their role, and 96% said that they benefit from visiting an older person.

Most visiting service clients (around 90%) who have taken part in the survey say that they feel happier because of receiving the service, and that they think of their visitor as a friend. One client writes simply,

Made my life happier knowing I am getting a visit.

"This Volunteer Awareness Week we want to take the opportunity to thank our wonderful visitors" says Ms Baxendine. "They are making a huge difference to the health and happiness of some of the most vulnerable older people around the New Zealand."

To find out about becoming an Age Concern Accredited Visitor, call your local Age Concern.

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