Over 50s having the time of their lives

 

11 July 2001

 

Many older volunteers have as much fun now as they didwhen they were younger (22 percent) and the majority (70 percent) are contentwith their lives, a BUPA survey of over 450 older volunteers has found.

 

The results of BUPA's survey, conducted to mark CSV GetActive week, (15-22 July 2001), also indicate a link between good health,physical exercise and social contact.

 

Seventy percent of older volunteers rated their health aseither good or excellent while 14 percent said their health had actuallyimproved since they began volunteering. The results indicate an active andhealthy group of people, dispelling the myth that getting older inevitablymeans slowing down.

 

BUPA's assistant medical director, Dr Paula Franklin,says, "With an ageing population it is increasingly important to improvequality of life into old age. Volunteering may make us happier and healthier.So, if you want to have fun and help yourself to stay healthy over 50 youshould get out, keep active and help others."

Keeping active

 

The BUPA survey suggests that older volunteers are moreactive and significantly less stressed than the general adult population.

 

The majority of older volunteers polled (78 percent)exercise twice a week or more and a third exercise every day. In addition, only22 percent said they suffered from anxiety, stress, insomnia or depression.

 

This compares with the results of BUPA's annual Health ofthe Nation Survey conducted last year, which found that 82 percent of thegeneral adult population suffered at least some degree of stress and only 55percent exercised twice a week or more.

 

"Studies have shown that keeping active can help youavoid physical health problems such as heart disease and osteoporosis as wellas other problems like anxiety and stress," says BUPA's Dr Paula Franklin.

 

A healthy social life

 

The BUPA survey results also indicate a committed group ofpeople who are very active in their communities. Nearly three quarters (73percent) spend upwards of three hours per week on voluntary work and 32 percentcommit more than seven hours per week.

 

Even if older people find it difficult to get about, theregular social contact that voluntary work offers affects health."Whatever you do, it is important to stay in touch with other people.Studies have shown that loneliness can contribute to poor health and illness.Age Concern say that an estimated 29 percent of men and 59 percent of womenaged over 75 live alone. The key is to stay connected, stay involved and tolive a full life," says BUPA Professor of Health and OrganisationalPsychology at UMIST, Professor Cary Cooper.

 

Many of the older volunteers polled chose to beginvoluntary work because of the social benefits. Over half (52 percent) of thosepolled said they began volunteering because of the regular social contact and31 percent said they wanted to meet new people.

 

When asked about their social life, over three-quarters(76 percent) described their social lives as busy, moderately busy or verybusy. A third (33 percent) said their social lives had improved since theybegan doing voluntary work.

 

The contribution of older volunteers

 

The results of the BUPA survey have been released tocoincide with the launch of Get Active week, 15 - 22 July, a national drive byCSV, sponsored by BUPA Care Services, which celebrates the contribution ofolder volunteers and aims to recruit new volunteers aged 50 and over. More than10,000 older volunteers are expected to participate in over 180 events acrossthe UK during the week.

 

Overwhelming response from BUPA care homes

 

Over 70 BUPAcare homes have organised Get Active week events for their relatives,relatives and staff with the help of local volunteers. Homes have organisedevents ranging from cream teas, sports events, concerts, picnics, summer fairs,a fireworks display and a week dedicated to health and fitness.

 

Care Servicesmarketing director, Dean Cowley, says, "Get Active with BUPA week hasgiven our homes the opportunity to link up with local volunteers and communitygroups and the response has been overwhelming. It has also given homes theopportunity to extend their programme of summer events."

 

Forinformation from the BUPA medical team about staying fit and healthy as you getolder, click here.