Greater involvement of the elderly in volunteer work helps improve their mental health. It also helps combat loneliness and social isolation.
The 2023 Human Development Report states that the social and physical inclusion of the elderly in society is important. The elderly face mental health issues, and professional help is hard to obtain. Merle Linno, a lecturer at the University of Tartu, says that becoming a volunteer in the community can help.
Linno says: "Volunteering allows people to decide for themselves what they do. In paid work, you have to follow rules and guidelines. Volunteering gives self-confidence and a sense of being able to cope with things."
Another important aspect is the feeling of belonging somewhere. Linno adds: "Volunteer activities give a sense of being part of a group. This supports people's mental health."
A study by the University of Tartu showed that volunteer activities must be meaningful and important. Linno says: "A person needs to understand why they are doing something and how it helps."
Kaidy Aljama, a coordinator at the Ministry of Social Affairs, says that volunteer participation is a protective factor for mental health. She mentions that the ministry is involved in European projects that help reduce loneliness among the elderly.
Aljama says that Estonia is testing the Sõprade Ring program. It provides knowledge on how to better utilize volunteers. She needs cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and other partners to implement new methods.
Krista Mulenok, a member of the Estonian elderly organization Kuldne liiga, says that the employment rate of people over 65 in Estonia is high. She hopes that if people knew more about the opportunities, they would want to contribute more.