Helping older adults can bring up both positive and negative emotions.
The rewards people feel from helping older adults can include:
Being proud about doing their best to help
Giving back to someone who helped them
Finding new meaning or purpose in life
Feeling needed or appreciated
Growing in their skills and confidence
Developing closer relationships
Helpers can also:
Learn useful, practical information
Develop personal strengths
Understand their own aging and options better
Make connections with individuals and organizations
Gain new perspective on their own priorities
People are more likely to benefit from helping older adults when they:
Value their relationship with the older adult
Respect the older adult’s knowledge, abilities and wishes
Support the older adult’s goals and decisions
Have support from their family and friends
Understand when things are beyond their control
Look for positives and lessons learned from challenging situations
Give themselves credit for all they do
Manage their stress and take care of themselves