At Park Springs Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), we understand the importance of volunteerism. In fact we’ve been a strong proponent of it since the opening of our Atlanta senior living community in 2004. On Friday, June 26th we honored each Member who volunteers at an appreciation party at 2 p.m. in the Clubhouse. Each Member was awarded a certificate of appreciation.
While volunteering can benefit the less fortunate, there may be added health advantages for those giving their time as well. A recent study presented at the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) annual meeting in May showed that retirees over 65 who volunteer had less than half the risk of death than their non-volunteer peers.
“Volunteering is a wonderful way for our Members to not only give back to the community, but to themselves as well,” said Dr. Margaret White, medical director at Park Springs CCRC. “Doctors have known for years, but more and more people are coming to realize that those who have regular contact with others generally live happier and longer lives than those who do not. Not only does staying involved with other people help stave off loneliness and health issues such as headaches, heart disease, ulcers and diabetes, it also keeps their minds active and alert. While we know that staying active and alert is necessary for seniors, we are also now seeing a direct correlation with Atlanta seniors living longer because of it.”
Bud Taylor is one of many Park Spring’s Atlanta active adult Members who has been giving back to the community for years. He currently volunteers at the Fernbank Museum once a week, Meals on Wheels twice a month and at the Park Springs Market every other week. When asked why he does it, he simply replied, “Because I enjoy it.”
Tally Sweat, another Park Spring’s’ Atlanta active adult Member said she enjoys the way volunteering makes her feel both inside and out.
“It’s self-serving in a way; it makes me feel good to know that I am contributing to the betterment of my community, the world, and life,” she said. “It also keeps me active.”
Ms. Sweat’s volunteer efforts are wide in scope. She has helped raise over $9.5 million to restore the historic Park on Ponce de Leon, served on the board for The Trust for Public Land and spearheaded the “Wild Flower” license plate initiative. At Park Springs she chairs the Development Committee for Park Springs Foundation, a foundation that awards educational scholarships to qualifying employees.
Park Springs’ on-campus Atlanta assisted living facility, Cobblestone, also benefits from the Atlanta CCRC’s active volunteer base. This helps by creating a friendship and social bond that has proven to prolong life. Park Spring’s Members also help organize plays, musical performances, parties and outings for the community.
David and Joan Thirsk, who volunteer at Cobblestone, say that volunteering gives them something to do as well as a way to build friendships.
Two of the many involved members at Parks Springs are Ray Dubner and his wife Fran. Ray is a member of the Park Spring’s Finance Committee and is President of the Employee Appreciation Fund at the Atlanta CCRC. He is also the facilitator of the “Monthly Memoir Class.”
Fran currently serves as a “study buddy” to several children at Mountain Park Elementary School in DeKalb County and has served for the past 10 years as the “thank you note correspondent” for Mercer University. Together, they volunteer their time as assistants for the Park Spring’s semiannual Book and Garage Sales, as crewmembers for Park Spring’s theatrical productions and as emcees for the communities’ trivia night.
“We have the time and we want to give back, so we volunteer. We value the experience of being enriched through interacting and hopefully helping others.”
Since our last Georgia State Survey, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has updated Cobblestone’s credentials and posted our health care facility as a Four-Star out of a Five-Star quality rating according to the CMS quality assurance system.
