Home Instead Senior Care in Trumbull, Connecticut Seeking Nominations for "Salute to Seniors"

Feb. 3, 2012 - PRLog -- The Home Instead Senior Care office in Trumbull and Sandy Hook, Connecticut, has announced the new “Salute to Senior Service” program. Launched in January 2012, the program 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, May 2012. State Senior Hero winners will receive plaques, and their stories will be posted on the SalutetoSeniorService.com web site. Additionally, $5,000 will be donated to the national Salute to Senior Service winner’s non-profit charity of choice.

Founded in 1994, the Home Instead Senior Care network is the world's largest provider of non-medical in-home care services for seniors. The network has more than 950 independently-owned and operated franchises worldwide that provide in excess of 45 million hours of care. Home Instead Senior Care offices employ more than 65,000 CAREGivers who 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. These services enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. At Home Instead Senior Care, the emphasis is on relationships before tasks, while continuing to provide superior quality service that enhances the lives of seniors everywhere.

“Helping others defines life for many local retired seniors,” stated Sharon Massafra, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office in Trumbull 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. 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.”

Massafra added, “The new “Salute to Senior Service” award program is also a positive step in helping communities redefine aging. Every day we see seniors who still have so much to give, not only to their communities, but to their families and loved ones.”

According to research conducted by the Home Instead Senior Care network, approximately half of U.S. 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 10 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. In fact, 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.

“The one thing that I hear constantly from the seniors is that volunteering gives them a purpose in life. Many say it’s the reason they get up in the morning,” said Dr. Erwin Tan, director of Senior Corps, a national organization that links more than 400,000 Americans 55 and older to service opportunities. “It also provides a venue for developing important social connections, making new friends or volunteering with current friends,” said Tan, who serves as the expert U.S. source for the program. “It’s a great way to also learn new things such as a new skill or something about an issue in which they have an interest. Volunteering is a great way to expand horizons and feel like they’re still a valuable part of their community.”

Senior Corps’ Tan added, “I think we have an opportunity to rethink what it means to be retired, since Americans will live a third of their adult lives after the traditional age of retirement. We need to redefine retirement as an opportunity to give back and make a difference.”

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 their communities through volunteerism, submit their story to www.SalutetoSeniorService.com. A printed nomination form can also be requested by emailing ckoehler@homeinsteadinc.com. The completed form can be returned to Home Instead, Inc., Cat Koehler, 13323 California Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Nomination submissions will be accepted up until March 15, 2012.

The Home Instead Senior Care network completed 600 telephone interviews with seniors age 65 and older in the U.S. who currently volunteer their time through unpaid community service. The sampling error is +/-4.0% at a 95% confidence level.