The Power of Volunteering: How Senior Volunteers Make a Difference

On any given weekday at Allies in Aging, the day begins with familiar faces and easy conversation. Volunteers gather as they prepare for their Meals on Wheels routes, lend a hand setting up for congregate lunch, and work alongside staff who share a genuine love for the senior community. There’s laughter, purpose, and a sense of belonging in the room. This camaraderie isn’t accidental, it’s the result of an intentional commitment to community engagement that promotes mental and physical well-being, age inclusion, and personal growth. 

For many volunteers, showing up just a few hours a week becomes a meaningful rhythm. Research consistently shows that volunteering doesn’t just benefit the people being served, it also has profound benefits for those who serve. Studies have found that volunteers experience a reduced risk of mortality compared to non-volunteers, with one meta-analysis reporting a 24–47% lower risk. Volunteering just two to four hours per week has been shown to provide the greatest benefit. At Allies in Aging, that often looks like delivering a meal, making a friendly check-in, or helping behind the scenes, small acts that add up to a healthier, more connected life. 

Allies in Aging volunteers are also uniquely positioned to support themselves and their loved ones. Because they work so closely with our programs, volunteers are often the first to know about the services we offer and how to access them. Whether it’s navigating Medicaid, learning about the Property Tax Rebate, or connecting a family member to transportation services, answers are just steps away. It’s not uncommon for a volunteer to stop by the Resource Center after a shift to ask a question, make a referral, or help someone else do the same. As the U.S. Surgeon General notes, “Those who are more connected to their communities are more likely to engage in service, and those who are engaged in service are more likely to feel connected to their communities and the individuals in it” (Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, 2023). 

Volunteerism is the backbone of Allies in Aging’s ability to provide essential services to older adults across Yellowstone County and beyond. Volunteers are the reason 260 meals are delivered daily to homebound seniors, the reason the Resource Center processed 734 2026 Medicare Part D packets, and the reason partnerships like our work with AARP are able to provide tax assistance to 900 community members. These numbers tell a powerful story, but behind each one is a volunteer who chose to show up. 

Perhaps one of the most meaningful benefits of volunteering is the social connection it creates. In a time when social isolation and loneliness are on the rise across all ages, volunteerism offers a powerful antidote. Social isolation among older adults alone accounts for an estimated $6.7 billion in excess Medicare spending annually, largely due to increased hospital and nursing facility use. By delivering meals, offering conversation, and building trust over time, volunteers help reduce that impact, creating connection, restoring dignity, and reminding homebound seniors that they are not alone. 

Whether it’s delivering a warm meal through Meals on Wheels, providing rides or grocery shopping support for older adults, assisting at a meal site, or lending a hand in countless other ways, there is a place for everyone at Allies in Aging. Just a few hours a week can create meaningful connections, improve lives, and strengthen our entire community. If you’re looking for a way to give back while gaining purpose, connection, and impact, we invite you to join us. Together, we can ensure older adults in our community are supported, valued, and never alone. 

Allies in Aging blog is brought to you by First Interstate Bank