Issue 2 April 2008 - Adults Age 50 + Involved in Civic Engagement Produces Success For All

Representing an estimate of 27% (76.9 million) of the total population (Figure obtained from The U.S. Census Bureau, Summary File; 1 Age and Sex 2000), adults age 50 + are an essential and valuable age group, as this segment of the population is growing larger in number, living longer, healthier more prosperous lives than any previous generation. The 50 + generation is an integral force in the world and more so in the futures of younger generations, bringing forth knowledge, a wealth of successes and experiences and passion in strengthening the quality of life for others.

This incredible generation easily earns accolades of reverence and honor for offering time, support, quality companionship and mentorship to motivate wise and productive choices among younger age groups. The younger generations and the 50 + generation are on equal footing, in fact these two generations share many critical commonalities. For instance, the importance of family, religion, culture, friendship and contributing to society are values these two generations appreciate. The 50 + generation unite with younger generations through the familiar bond of having traveled through respective youth journeys. The sage and meaningful life changing wisdom, sincere dedication, and zealous interest of the 50 + generation, is in high demand for civic engagement, especially for the purpose of exciting the desire of others of all ages to participate as volunteers.

Many volunteers age 50 + who see themselves as productive and free to embrace their independence, indeed strive to participate in civic engagement activities while they age. Today, more Americans are volunteering and Baby Boomers (age 46-64) along with teens and older adults (age 65 and older) have led this growth rate since 1989 (Corporation on National and Community Service: Volunteering In America; An Overview of Corporation Research July 2007). Research from this issue brief also concludes Americans 65 and older show a higher rate of longevity, less likely to suffer heart disease and depression, and greater functional ability. In a 2007 study from the Corporation on National and Community Service, of volunteer habits in cities, the percentage of 50 + generation volunteers ( age 45-54) and (age 55-54) in Metropolitan Chicago were ranked higher ( 32.2% and 30.1% respectively), to that of teens and younger adults (Age16-24) (24.2%). Adults age 50 + and older adults 65 and over showed the highest hours on average per volunteer in comparison to teens and adults under the age of 45, for both Metropolitan Chicago and the nation.

While the 50 + generation gathers benefits of personal health from civic engagement, their participation in civic engagement enriches the health of the community, which is awesome. An article from the Urban Institute includes confirming studies that Baby Boomers and older adults enjoy improved health and well being:“For example, a recent small-scale experiment shows that low-income minority seniors volunteering in public elementary schools outscored their nonparticipating counterparts in both physical strength and cognitive ability (Fried et al. 2004). Other studies find older adults who volunteer live longer and with better physical and mental health than counterparts who do not volunteer (Lum and Lightfoot 2005; Murrow-Howell et al. 2003) (cited from Brief #5-“Perspectives on Productive Aging”). Another report from the Current Population Survey 2007 included in Issue 8 of MENTOR, “Mentoring Across Generations: Engaging Age 50 + as Mentors” indicates that 30.7 percent ( 15.5 million) of people ages 50-64 and 24.8 percent of those older than 65 volunteered for an organization.

The service and time the 50 + generation provides volunteering, promotes a posture of commitment and charity in younger generations while inspiring other members of the 50 + generation and older to “benefit from the sense of identity and community that is part of civic engagement” (The Center on Aging & Work; Boston College, Issue Brief 2007) . This is an excellent opportunity for older adults to regain zeal and confidence as they give the gift of themselves. The following is a list of civic engagement resources, and opportunities interest to the 50 + generation: