Background characteristics, resources and volunteering among older adults (aged ≥70 years) in the community: A longitudinal study

Aim: The aim of the present study was to describe (in)formal volunteering among older adults (aged≥70 years) inthe community, and the longitudinal relationships between background characteristics, resources (social, cognitiveand physical functioning, social capital) and volunteering.

Methods: At baseline, a total of 945 (out of 1440) independently living Dutch older adults (aged≥70 years)completed the questionnaire (66% response). Two years later, these respondents were asked to complete a question-naire again, of which 588 (62%) responded.

Results:Of 945 respondents (43% male; mean age 77.5±5.8 years, range 70–101 years), 34.7% were married and83.3% were born in the Netherlands. Social capital, social functioning and physical functioning were significantlyhigher among volunteering older adults. Being born in the Netherlands, higher educational level, social capital andsocial functioning were related to formal volunteering activities at baseline, and also predicted these activities 2 yearslater. Regarding informal volunteering activities, we found a significant association with age, being born in the Netherlands, marital status, educational level, social capital and social functioning at baseline. Examining theirpredictive nature, we found that younger age, being born in the Netherlands, social capital and physical functioningwere associated with engagement in informal volunteering activities 2 years later.

Conclusion:The present study shows that older adults remain engaged in volunteering activities, and that back-ground characteristics (e.g. ethnic background, education) and resources (social functioning, social capital) contributeto this engagement.