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AmeriCorps Seniors & Health Benefits

An independent report sponsored by AmeriCorps offers some good news: AmeriCorps Seniors provides the access, structure, and financial support for low-income, at-risk Americans 55 and older to live happier, healthier lives while making a difference in their communities.

Each year, AmeriCorps Seniors engages more than 200,000 older adults in service enriching their own lives and benefiting the communities they serve.

Research shows that volunteering is good for the health and well-being of volunteers. But for older Americans with low-incomes and lower levels of education, a group vulnerable to poor health outcomes, many obstacles can make it difficult to volunteer. As a result, these individuals may miss out on the health and well-being benefits of volunteering, and communities may miss out on the volunteer service these individuals provide.

A new independent report sponsored by AmeriCorps offers some good news: AmeriCorps Seniors provides the access, structure, and financial support for low-income, at-risk Americans 55 and older to live happier, healthier lives while making a difference in their communities.

Each year, AmeriCorps Seniors engages more than 200,000 older adults in service enriching their own lives and benefiting the communities they serve.

Research shows that volunteering is good for the health and well-being of volunteers. But for older Americans with low-incomes and lower levels of education, a group vulnerable to poor health outcomes, many obstacles can make it difficult to volunteer. As a result, these individuals may miss out on the health and well-being benefits of volunteering, and communities may miss out on the volunteer service these individuals provide.

Comparing baseline scores with a second-year follow-up, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers were healthier, less depressed, and less socially isolated than those who did not serve:

Less Socially Isolated

88 percent reported fewer feelings of isolation

Better Health

84 percent reported stable or improving health

Less Depressed

78 percent reported fewer symptoms of depression
 

Comparing baseline scores with a second-year follow-up, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers were healthier, less depressed, and less socially isolated than those who did not serve:

Less Socially Isolated

88 percent reported fewer feelings of isolation

Better Health

84 percent reported stable or improving health

Less Depressed

78 percent reported fewer symptoms of depression

 

 

Learn More by Downloading Key Study Materials
 

Study Issue Brief

Download the issue brief on the study

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Study Press Release

View a press release on the study

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Full Senior Companions/Foster Grandparents Report

View the entire report in the Evidence Exchange

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Additional Resources
 

The above video may include external links to Youtube’s video platform. Youtube’s privacy and security practices and policies may differ from AmeriCorps'. AmeriCorps is not responsible for these links nor does it endorse the content of the third-party website (Read more).

Learn why AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers are healthier, less depressed, and more connected compared to those who do not volunteer regularly.

The above video may include external links to Youtube’s video platform. Youtube’s privacy and security practices and policies may differ from AmeriCorps'. AmeriCorps is not responsible for these links nor does it endorse the content of the third-party website (Read more).

Dr. Deborah Carr, Chair of the Sociology Dept. at Boston University and Editor-in-Chief at Journals of Gerontology, Social Sciences, discusses the impacts and research methodologies of the AmeriCorps Seniors research.

The above video may include external links to Youtube’s video platform. Youtube’s privacy and security practices and policies may differ from AmeriCorps'. AmeriCorps is not responsible for these links nor does it endorse the content of the third-party website (Read more).

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers from RSVP, Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions programs describe the health benefits they receive from volunteering.

 

 

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Study Infographic

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Study One Pager

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Study Research Brief

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Study Fact Sheet

Download the Longitudinal Fact Sheet

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Full Caregivers Report

View the entire report in the Evidence Exchange

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View Related Research

Find related AmeriCorps Seniors reports

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AmeriCorps Seniors Grantee Toolkit

Thank you for helping to share the good news about the new research from AmeriCorps Seniors! If you're a grantee interested in using this research, view this toolkit for helpful suggestions, tips, and resources.

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Methodology

The two longitudinal studies establish the impact of volunteer service on AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serving with the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) and the Senior Companion Program (SCP), as well as the impact of volunteer service for caregivers of Senior Companion clients. The two-year study, launched in 2014, collected data from 1,200 first-time AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers throughout their service with the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs to determine the effect of national service on older adults’ overall health and well-being.

View Full Methodology >
 

 

 

Senior Corps state longitudinal study graphics collage

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The above video may include external links to Youtube’s video platform. Youtube’s privacy and security practices and policies may differ from AmeriCorps'. AmeriCorps is not responsible for these links nor does it endorse the content of the third-party website (Read more).

New to AmeriCorps Seniors? Get a brief overview  and introduce yourself to the endless opportunities that AmeriCorps Seniors provides. 

 


AmeriCorps Seniors: Making a Difference in their Communities

While the current study focuses on the health benefits to AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers also make a difference in their communities. For decades, volunteers age 55+ have been serving their communities through AmeriCorps Seniors programs, led by AmeriCorps, the federal agency for service, volunteering, and civic engagement. Each year, AmeriCorps Seniors engages more than 200,000 older adults in volunteer service through its Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, and RSVP programs, enriching the lives of the volunteers and benefiting their communities.

More on our AmeriCorps Seniors Programs >

 

AmeriCorps sponsors and supports scholarly research.  Findings are used to identify effective strategies for national service, increase the evidence-base for its programs, and strengthen civic infrastructure and civic engagement in America. The Office of Research and Evaluation builds, shares and uses knowledge in multiple ways. Our AmeriCorps webpages include ongoing and completed studies and resources for those interested in conducting their own program evaluations.  To find out more about research and evaluation at AmeriCorps, check out our evidence exchange.

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