Search

Informal caregivers are a critical component of the US long-term care system, but caregivers often experience poor physical and mental health as a result of strain from the caregiving role. Engagement in community-based educational and volunteer activities contributes to older adult well-being, but previous studies have not assessed whether the effects of these types of engagement are different for older adults who are also caregivers. Using a sample of participants in educational and volunteer activities sponsored by a national nonprofit organization, we find that participants who are caregivers report more benefit from these community-based activities than their noncaregiving counterparts. Connecting caregivers to existing community-based activities may be an efficient strategy for improving caregiver well-being.

The article discusses the volunteer-supported intergenerational programs of OASIS, a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to productive and healthy aging for adult people over age 50. OASIS volunteers performs direct-service and capacity-building functions in these programs. They act as action multipliers, complementing paid staff efforts to increase the program's impact. The OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring program is also discussed.

The article discusses the OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring Program which promotes literacy with a proven approach to help high-need children read at grade level. OASIS’s intergenerational tutoring models help schools to cost effectively improve students’ reading skills, and meet school or state educational standards. OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring takes advantage of the special relationships that develop across generations to reap benefits for both children and adults. Topics include history and approach of OASIS intergenerational tutoring, participants willing to help children build reading skills, self-esteem and positive attitudes toward learning, and lessons learned.