Senior Volunteers Outdoors

1
THE POWER OF POSITIVE AGING UNLV
Gerontology -- October 10, 2008
Adults age 50 and over who volunteer for the
natural environment, and for outdoors recreation
and conservation
2
Baby BoomersPurpose and Connectedness

• retirement is being redefined by this group who
  seek productivity, adventure, social contact as
  they endeavor to fulfill the life satisfaction
  they received in their careers.

• Professors Craig Finney and Dianne Philibosian,
  California State University, Northridge. Foreword
  to Senior Volunteers Outdoors

3
50 Volunteering Initiativewww.pointsoflight.org

• Innovative volunteer projects that leverage
  their experience, skills, and freedom, provide
  50 adults challenging and rewarding
  opportunities to define this chapter of their
  lives.

4
Bill Novelli, CEO AARP

• Thank you for sharing with me your inspiring
  book We certainly share your vision and it is
  our hope that through your efforts and ours, we
  can provide the resources and information to help
  the over 50 population volunteer their time,
  skills and experience to help create positive
  change in society and their own lives.

5
How Volunteering for the Outdoors contributes to
Positive Aging

• Physical Benefits
• Exercise
• Lose weight
• Raise fitness level
• Lower blood pressure and
• cholesterol
• Recover from illness and disease

6
Mental Health Benefits

• Stimulation from continuing education and ongoing
  training
• Being open to fresh ideas, novel adventures, and
  new places
• Sharing interests and passions for the natural
  environment
• Teaching and sharing skills and experience with
  youth/school groups and the general public

7
Emotional, Psychological and Social

• Opportunity to live ones dream, fulfill lifelong
  desire have a purpose and goals
• Overcome loneliness and depression with group
  membership and camaraderie
• Satisfaction of giving back to society and
  making a significant difference
• Recognition and celebration of a job well done
  and contribution made

8
Practical Benefits

• Be challenged and develop problem-solving skills
• Enjoy recreation and healthy exercise outdoors
• Be involved in stewardship of the natural
  environment
• Apply a lifetime of experience and work-related
  learning to a good cause

9
ConnectednessSuccessful Aging by John W. Rowe
and Robert L. Kahn

• The linking of social relationships to
  longevity, the discovery that social support lies
  at the core of those relationships, and the
  special role of social support in aging have been
  gradually, but unmistakably, demonstrated.

10
CaringYounger Next Year by Chris Crowley
Henry S. Lodge

• caring means caring about other people and
  being involved with them acting like the pack
  animals we are, right to the end.

11
Southern Nevada Interagency Volunteer Program
UNLV Public Lands Initiative
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Bureau of Land Management Spring Mountains
National Recreation Area US Forest Service
Lake Mead National Recreation Area National Park
Service Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Complex US Fish Wildlife
www.getoutdoorsnevada.org