Volunteer Opportunities, Chronic Pain Support, and Advanced Estate Planning Strategies for Older Adults

You're receiving this because you signed up on our website. Want to unsubscribe? Just reply to this email with the words “no thanks.”

First-time reader? Join {{active_subscriber_count}} other seniors for free.

Volunteering offers a meaningful way to stay engaged, use your skills, and strengthen your community. Many organizations actively seek older adults because they bring reliability, life experience, and strong problem-solving abilities. The key is choosing opportunities that suit your interests, mobility, and schedule so you can give back in a way that feels both sustainable and rewarding.

Start with roles that match your strengths. Libraries often need help with shelving books, assisting with events, or tutoring reading programs. Hospitals and clinics look for volunteers to greet visitors, deliver supplies, or provide companionship to patients. Food banks, Meals on Wheels, and community kitchens rely heavily on older volunteers for packing boxes, serving meals, or making delivery routes. If you prefer flexible, low-contact options, many nonprofits offer phone-based support roles such as friendly-caller programs for isolated seniors or administrative help from home.

Your professional background can also guide your choice. Former teachers may enjoy mentoring students, reading to children, or helping adults with literacy. Those with business or technical experience may be valuable to small nonprofits that need help with budgeting, record-keeping, or basic computer tasks.

Begin by thinking about how much time you want to commit each week. Some programs offer one-time events; others need regular volunteers. Ask organizations about training requirements, physical demands, and schedule flexibility. If mobility is a concern, consider remote roles, phone outreach, or administrative tasks. For those who enjoy companionship and social connection, senior centers, museums, animal shelters, and parks departments often welcome volunteers for tours, visitor assistance, or light outdoor work.

If you’re not sure where to start, websites like VolunteerMatch, AARP’s Create the Good, and local United Way pages list opportunities by interest and location. Trying one short-term role is often the easiest way to find out what feels meaningful.

💌 If you found these ideas helpful, forward this newsletter to a friend. Giving back is even more fulfilling when you do it together.

“The Pool Hall on Third Street”
From the life overview of Ronald P., 79, Minneapolis, MN. Shared with permission.

The pool hall on Third Street wasn’t much to look at with its dim lights, sticky floors, and a jukebox that skipped when someone slammed the door too hard. But for a stretch of my early twenties, that place felt like the center of the universe. The air always held a stubborn trace of cigarette smoke, even after the ban, and the tables were worn smooth over decades by hands that had more skill than mine ever did. I used to lean my hip against the rail, chalk the cue slowly, and pretend I wasn’t nervous about the shot I was about to miss.

One night, the wind coming off Lake Superior was so sharp it stung my eyes. A couple of regulars hurried inside, stomping snow from their boots. It was warm and loud, with clattering balls, raised voices, and bursts of laughter. I remember playing a game with a stranger who’d wandered inside to avoid the cold. He had a steady hand and a quiet smile, and for some reason, he talked to me more than anyone else ever talked in that place. Between shots, we told each other stories—the kind you share only with someone you’ll never see again.

When the game ended, he clapped me on the back, wished me luck, and disappeared into the drifting snow. I stood there a moment longer, cue in hand, feeling the strange comfort of knowing that sometimes life hands you a brief connection—nothing dramatic, nothing profound—just a small, human moment that settles into memory and stays there, warm as the felt under your fingertips.

***

Do you want to (1) capture your life story like above or (2) edit, format, and/or publish something you’ve worked on for years?
Get a FREE Life Story or Publishing Consultation

The Tibetan & Himalayan Library
This online archive brings together carefully curated materials on Himalayan culture, including photographs, translated texts, and recordings of local traditions. The layout is straightforward, making it easy to explore topics such as Buddhism, regional history, and daily life at a comfortable pace. It’s a calming way to learn about a part of the world that is both ancient and still very much alive.

BirdNote Daily
These short, public-radio stories offer a gentle look at the lives, sounds, and habitats of birds across North America. Each episode runs just a few minutes, making it easy to listen during a walk, over breakfast, or as a small pause in the afternoon. The tone is warm and thoughtful, and the natural soundscapes can bring a bit of the outdoors into your day.

The New York Public Library’s Digital Collections
This free digital archive contains hundreds of thousands of items, from historic photographs and maps to handwritten letters and early printed books. The search tools are simple to use, and you can zoom in on images to see fine details you might miss in person. It’s a rich resource for exploring history, following a personal curiosity, or simply enjoying the beauty of old, well-preserved materials.

This daily section is brought to you by MemoirGhostwriting.com, experts in capturing life stories for loved ones and/or the public. We can meet any budget. (Does your story deserve to be told?)

Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts. Even a few sentences are a memory preserved for loved ones.

Keeping your phone, tablet, or computer clean isn’t just about appearance — it protects your device from damage, keeps it running smoothly, and reduces germs on the surfaces you use every day. Below is a simple guide that works for all comfort levels.

Start by turning your device off and unplugging it. For screens, use a soft microfiber cloth—the same kind used for eyeglasses. Gently wipe fingerprints and smudges; avoid pressing hard.

If the screen needs more than a dry wipe, lightly dampen the cloth with a 50/50 mix of water and isopropyl alcohol (70% is safe). Never spray liquid directly onto your device. For keyboards and phone cases, a disinfecting wipe such as Clorox Disinfecting Wipes approved for electronics works well.

Dust tends to collect in charging ports. Use a wooden toothpick or a compressed air can. Gently angle the air downward so debris blows out, not deeper inside.

For cleaning laptop keyboards more thoroughly, consider a keyboard cleaning gel. Press it lightly onto keys to lift dust. If you’re comfortable removing a phone case, rinse the case with warm soapy water (silicone only), then let it fully dry before putting it back.

To keep devices running well, perform a monthly maintenance sweep:
• Clear out unused apps
• Back up important files to iCloud or Google Drive
• Run an antivirus scan using trusted programs like Malwarebytes

Finally, wipe down your screen and keyboard once a week to prevent buildup. A few minutes of care goes a long way toward keeping your devices reliable — and extending their lifespan without any fuss.

Cruise deal of the day: 3 Nights Mexico Cruise - departing January 13, from $169

Unmissable American gem: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin offers seniors a relaxed lakeside getaway filled with scenic boat tours, gentle walking paths, historic estates, and easygoing small-town charm.

Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object! Be the first to reply with the correct answer, and we’ll send you a free gift in the mail.

Today’s clue: Arcade shooter where pixel aliens descended in rows.

AEPCS NDSVAEIR

Help a life story get told, earn thousands: Refer someone to MemoirGhostwriting.com and earn 12% of what they spend. Find out more here.

Disclaimer: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, Seniors Magazine may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The content of the newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial, legal, or health advice. We may also share polling responses with advertisers to help keep this newsletter free.