Inclusion of diverse older populations in volunteering: The importance of institutional facilitation

As older adults volunteer in greater numbers, concerns are being expressed about the exclusion of older adults who have historically been marginalized from volunteering. This study identifies the importance of institutional facilitation of older adults in volunteer programs, especially for those of lower socioeconomic status. A questionnaire assessing the importance of institutional facilitation in volunteering was completed by 374 volunteers aged 60 years and older from a national sample. Institutional facilitation was measured by multidimensional items capturing role flexibility, compensation, recognition, and accommodation. Flexibility-especially, choice of activities and ability to set own schedule- was perceived as most important to volunteers. Low-income and non-White volunteers gave more importance to institutional facilitators of engagement. This study suggests that voluntary organizations can facilitate the inclusion of older adults from diverse backgrounds through increasing flexibility, compensation, and recognition.