Nominations Sought For ‘Salute To Senior Service’ Award

Home Instead Senior Care in Sandy Hook and Trumbull has launched its new “Salute to Senior Service” program. The national program, begun in January, includes a search for the most outstanding senior volunteer in each state and will culminate with the selection of a national Salute to Senior Service winner during the nationwide Older Americans Month in May.

State Senior Hero winners will receive plaques, and their stories will be posted on the SalutetoSeniorService.com website. Additionally, $5,000 will be donated to the national Salute to Senior Service winner’s nonprofit charity of choice.

“Helping others defines life for many local retired seniors,” stated Sharon Massafra, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care franchise serving seniors and their families in 33 towns throughout northern Fairfield, southern Litchfield and northwest New Haven Counties.

“We are likely to see senior volunteers who make a difference in local churches, community organizations, neighborhoods, senior centers, and health care organizations,” she added. “These frequently unsung heroes are making a bigger impact than ever as local budgets evaporate and community needs increase. It’s our observation that active seniors who volunteer are healthy in body, mind, and spirit as they age.”

Ms Massafra said the award program is also a positive step in helping communities redefine aging.

According to research conducted by the Home Instead Senior Care network, approximately half of US seniors (52 percent) volunteer their time through unpaid community service. Nearly 20 percent (one in five) of senior volunteers surveyed started volunteering when they reached the traditional age of retirement, 65 or older.

Furthermore, 20 percent of seniors who volunteer say that their community service is the most important thing they do. Seniors who volunteer give an average of 15 hours a month in unpaid service.

Seven in ten seniors (70 percent) who volunteer indicate they plan on volunteering “forever.” This percentage is slightly higher for senior volunteers who suffer from chronic health problems.

Managing chronic conditions and maintaining health are important motivations. Three-fourths of senior volunteers surveyed (75 percent) who have chronic conditions say that staying active through volunteering helps them to manage these conditions.

Founded in 1994, the Home Instead Senior Care network provides nonmedical in-home care services for seniors. The company’s caregivers provide such basic support services as assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), personal care, medication reminders, meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands, incidental transportation, and shopping.

To nominate a senior who is 65 years or older and volunteers at least 15 hours a month and is making a positive impact on his or her community through volunteerism, submit the nominee’s story to www.SalutetoSeniorService.com. A printed nomination form can also be requested by e-mailing ckoehler@homeinsteadinc.com.

The completed form can be returned to Cat Koehler, Home Instead, Inc, 13323 California Street, Omaha NE 68154. Nomination submissions will be accepted up until March 15.