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IDeA > IDeA Projects > Aging in Place > Key Components > Getting Involved
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8. Civic Engagement and Volunteer Opportunities

  • Central clearinghouse that people for volunteer opportunities
  • Local community organizations provide volunteer opportunities suited to older adults
  • Older adults are surveyed about their volunteer interests
  • Intergenerational volunteer opportunities
  • Volunteer opportunities for older adults to serve as mentors or share their expertise
  • Cultural opportunities reflect ethnic and demographic differences
  • Older adults on government advisory boards and other committees

 

Common Challenges

Action Steps

Older adults are looking for a broader array of civic engagement options than most communities currently provide

· Workshops and job fairs

· Support groups for older volunteers

Many NGOs and businesses undervalue the skills, capacities, and resources of older adults

· Workshops and job fairs

· Data base for skill matching

Older adults are a valuable resource in community development

· Establish Asset Mapping of elder capacities

· Start Senior Academies

Engagement with older adults can provide intergenerational enrichment

Support intergenerational learning programs