Learn about the benefits of helping older adults

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