“It helps me find balance”: older adult perspectives on the intersection of caregiving and volunteering

ABSTRACT

Caregiving is an increasingly prevalent experience that can negatively impact health and well-being. Volunteerism, long associated with positive benefits for older adults, is one potential strategy that can be used to counteract caregiver stress. A national cohort of existing older adult volunteers was engaged to explore the intersection of volunteering and caregiving through qualitative analysis of respondent comments using the lens of role theory. Survey responses from 533 older volunteers were analyzed. Role conflict and role enhancement themes were examined, with time constraints and reduced energy emerging as the perceived causes of conflict between the caregiver and volunteer roles. Caregivers discussed benefits to their caregiving role, including respite, learning, access to information and resources relevant to caregiving, increased socialization and improved physical and cognitive health. Findings indicate that volunteering can be framed as a health and well-being intervention for caregivers.

KEYWORDS:

• Caregiving
• volunteerism
• role conflict
• community and home care: respite care < community and home care

Disclosure statement

No financial interest or benefit to disclose.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, JC, upon reasonable request at [email protected].

Additional information

Funding

This material is based upon work funded by the AmeriCorps Office of Research and Evaluation and AmeriCorps Seniors under Grant No. 17REHME001 through the National Service and Civic Engagement research grant competition. Opinions or points of view expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of, or a position that is endorsed by, AmeriCorps.