February 12, 2019 • Page 10 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Volunteering Helps Keep Seniors Healthy, New Study Suggests WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 5, 2019) -- A new independent report that provides evidence that consistent volunteering can improve the health and well-being of people age 55 and older was released today by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency responsible for the nation’s volunteer and service efforts. The study examined how participation in national service contributes to changes in health and well-being of Senior Corps volunteers in the Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent programs—who help home-bound seniors maintain independence and tutor and mentor at-risk youth, respectively. A companion study explored the health benefits to caregivers who receive support from Senior Corps Senior Companion volunteers. “I’m thrilled with the release of this independent study because it confirms what we have long believed to be true: Senior Corps volunteers are not only improving the lives of others, they are also improving their own,” said Deborah Cox-Roush, director of Senior Corps. “These volunteers are feeling healthier and less depressed. What’s also exciting is they say they feel less socially isolated, which we know has important health benefits. Along the way, Senior Corps volunteers found a sense of accomplishment, opportunities for personal growth, and chances to form meaningful relationships.” According to the research, Senior Corps volunteers report much higher selfrated health scores, which is considered a valid marker of actual health, compared to older adults in similar circumstances who do not volunteer. They also reported feeling significantly less depressed and isolated compared to non-volunteers. • After two years of service in Senior Corps, 84 percent of older adults reported improved or stable health. • 32 percent of Senior Corps volunteers who reported good health at the beginning of the study reported improved health at the two-year follow-up. • Of those who reported five or more symptoms of depression at the beginning of the study, 78 percent said they felt less depressed two years later. • 88 percent of Senior Corps volunteers who first described a lack of companionship reported a decrease in feelings of isolation after two years. • Among those who initially reported a lack of companionship, 71 percent reported an improvement in their companionship status. “Our Senior Corps volunteers have a decades-long history of setting examples for all of us to follow by serving our friends and neighbors,” said Barbara Stewart, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that administers the Senior Corps program. “These 220,000 men and women provide vital support to Americans, both young and young-at-heart, and reap health benefits in return. We are grateful for the generosity of our super seniors and their commitment to making a difference in their communities.” Senior Corps provides opportunities to Americans who might not otherwise have the opportunity to serve their community due to financial or other barriers – 80 percent of volunteers in the study reported a household income of less than $20,000 per year and one-third reported a long lasting condition that limits basic physical activity. Open to Americans 55 and older with incomes up to 200% of the poverty line, the Foster Grandparent Program and Senior Companion Program are unique among volunteer organizations in that volunteers earn a small stipend. While the large majority of volunteers reported joining service for altruistic reasons, close to one-third had an underlying financial reason, due to the stipend, for volunteering. Senior Corps volunteers found their community service satisfying and meaningful, and they reported having opportunities for personal growth, a sense of accomplishment, and friend-making, all factors associated with improved health, psychological, and emotional well-being and connection to the community. More than 75 percent remained in service through the first year, compared to twothirds of volunteers nationally. Retention was highest among volunteers with the lowest income, those who reported a disability, and those who attained at most a high school diploma or had not graduated high school. The national study, launched in 2014, collected data from 1,200 first-time Senior Corps volunteers throughout their service with the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs to determine the effect of national service on older adults’ overall health and well-being. The study surveyed first-time Senior Corps volunteers upon entrance into the program and again at one- and two-year follow-up intervals, using survey questions adopted from the University of Michigan’s annual Health and Retirement Study. A companion study of caregivers determined that caregivers found the assistance of Senior Companions beneficial and for some, the respite provided by a volunteer even improved their health. The study surveyed caregivers of Senior Companion clients prior to the start of respite care and again at a one-year follow-up point. • Nearly 76 percent of caregivers in the critical-needs group reported Senior Companion respite services helped them “a lot” with both personal time and household management. • Approximately 60 percent of caregivers with critical needs reported that Senior Companion services helped them “a lot” or a “great deal” and allowed them to be more involved in social activities and enjoy time with their friends or relatives. • Approximately 40 percent of caregivers who rated their health as fair or poor before respite support, now rate their health as good. • Most caregivers (92 percent critical needs, 86 percent with essential needs, and 93 percent with moderate needs) reported they were satisfied with the respite services received from the Senior Companion program. Each year, Senior Corps engages approximately 220,000 Americans 55 and older through its Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, and RSVP programs – all addressing some of the nation’s most pressing challenges – everything from fighting the opioid epidemic, reducing crime and reviving cities, connecting veterans to jobs and benefits, preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs, ensuring seniors age independently and with dignity, and helping Americans rebuild their lives following a disaster. These studies are part of a larger body of research that highlights the positive impact of national service, particularly for senior volunteers and the communities in which they serve. More information on this research is available at seniorcorps. gov/healthyvolunteers. To learn more about Senior Companions of South Dakota, call 605.361.1133 or toll free 888.239.1210; or visit www.goodsam.com/scpsd. USS South Dakota Is Navy’s E W Newest Nuclear Submarine S LD By Sen. Mike Rounds art technology designed to increase stealth, the war, they referred to it as “Battleship X” or USS South Dakota (SSN 790) is the Navy’s as well as a revised bow and sonar panels that “Old Nameless” because the Navy wanted to newest nuclear submarine, commissioned on will allow it to better detect and track other hide information about the battleship from our Feb. 2, 2019. It is the 17th Virginia-class attack submarines in its area. USS South Dakota is a enemies. submarine to join the fleet. It was a true honor 7,800 ton vessel, is 377 feet long and will be Several World War II veterans who served to be a part of the commissioning event. manned by 132 crew members. It can stay at aboard BB-57 attended the commissioning cerUSS South Dakota will play an important sea for up to three months at a time. Because it emony of the newest USS South Dakota. It was role in the mission of our sailors, and it will is a nuclear attack submarine, it will be armed very special to have them there to welcome also serve as a new symbolic link between our with four torpedo tubes and can hold 12 Toma- the new submarine to the Navy. We’re thankful state and the Navy. According to the U.S. Navy, hawk cruise missiles that are capable of hitting to them for their service to our country. We Call 665-5884 to place your ad here. it has been designed to fulfill the seven core targets more than 1,000 miles away. are also thankful to the sailors who will serve competencies of the submarine force: anti-subUSS South Dakota is the third commissioned aboard the new USS South Dakota. marine warfare, anti-surface warfare, delivery Navy vessel to bear the name of our state. 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When BB-57our Web site at in Visit was launched involved in the Battle of Savo Island, 1941, Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox said, www.missourivalleyshopper.com Battle of Philippine Sea, Okinawa “I say to the good ship South Dakota, God go and Iwo Jima, earning a total of 13 with you, because after all, your mission, the battle stars. USS South Dakota was mission for which we built you, is not war, but present in Tokyo Bay on Sept. 2, the prevention of war as God wills.” USS South 1945, for Japan’s formal surrender. Dakota SSN 790 and its crew will play a signifiVisit our When newspapers or radio stations cant role in our national security efforts. It will Web site at long reported on USS South Dakota during also serve as a tribute to South Dakotans’ www.missourivalleyshopper.com history of service in our Call 665-5884 to armed forces. Interested in this spot? 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