Chapter 6 Opportunities for Seniors - Ministry of Social and Family ...
Chapter 6 Opportunities for Seniors - Ministry of Social and Family ...
Chapter 6 Opportunities for Seniors - Ministry of Social and Family ...
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30. The CAI would like to see the volunteerism rate <strong>for</strong> seniors doublefrom the current 4% to 8% by the year 2010 <strong>and</strong> 15% by 2030. To achievethis, new ways <strong>of</strong> engaging seniors should be continuously identified <strong>and</strong>promoted. Apart from identifying opportunities, well structured volunteerrecruitment plans <strong>and</strong> training on volunteer management will help the hostorganisations attract <strong>and</strong> retain senior volunteers.31. The CAI recommends that the National Volunteer <strong>and</strong>Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) work with partners to develop <strong>and</strong>promote more volunteering opportunities <strong>for</strong> seniors. For example,seniors could be recruited as coaches / exercise leaders / game <strong>of</strong>ficials <strong>for</strong>community sports events. These seniors could also volunteer as sportscoaches in schools. In the school setting, seniors could be involved instudent enrichment programmes.32. <strong>Seniors</strong>’ interest to volunteer should not be hindered by the lack <strong>of</strong>awareness. As part <strong>of</strong> the outreach ef<strong>for</strong>ts, there should be more intensivepublic education such as campaigns on senior volunteering. NVPC could setup a library <strong>of</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation <strong>and</strong> resource kits to allow easy reference byorganizations interested in recruiting senior volunteers. A best practice guide<strong>for</strong> Non-Pr<strong>of</strong>it Organisations detailing recommended <strong>and</strong> positive volunteermanagement practices (including appreciation <strong>of</strong> volunteers) could also beestablished.Provide <strong>and</strong> promote lifelong learning opportunities33. Lifelong learning helps seniors maintain mental alertness 8 <strong>and</strong>relevance in society. Continuous learning can help to prevent dementia inolder persons 9 . As future seniors get more educated <strong>and</strong> financially secure,more will seek learning opportunities to enrich themselves.8 Michael Brickey. (2001). “The extended life: Four strategies <strong>for</strong> healthy longevity”, TheFuturist, 35, 5: 52.9 Shankar Vedantam. “Mind Games May Trump Alzheimer's: Study Cites Effects OfBridge, Chess”, Washington Post, Thursday, June 19, 2003, Page A01.(Source: http://www.alzstl.org/news%20items/mind_games_may_trump_alzheimer.htm)Committee on Ageing Issues: Report on the Ageing Population 62
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