Resources:

Social support and technology

Learn ways to connect socially with others through communication using technology.

Social support and reducing stress

Learn how social support can help you keep your stress levels low.

Building a support network

Learn ways to build your support network.

Volunteer to connect socially:

VolunteerMatch

VolunteerMatch is an online resource for anyone seeking volunteer work information. Here you will find information on many ways you can support your community.

Serve.gov

Serve.gov is an online resource to create and find volunteer opportunities in your community.

Coming of Age

This web site provides helpful information about intergeneration volunteering, volunteer opportunities for people 50+, volunteer video vignettes, and many more resources to guide you select the best volunteer experience.

Idealist.org

Idealist is an interactive site where people can find volunteer opportunities within and outside the US.

References:

1.  Baker, L. Cahalin, L. Gierst, K. and Burr, J. (2005). Productive activities and subjective well-being among older adults: The influence of number of activities and time commitment. Social Indicators Research, 73 (3): 431-458.

2.  Beckley, M. N. (2006). Community participation following cerebrovascular accident: Impact of the buffering model of social support. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60: 129–135.

3.  Centers for Disease Control (2005).  Social support and health-related quality of life among older adults- Missouri, 2000. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5417a4.htm.

4.  Duay, D.L. & Bryan, V.C. (2006). Senior adults’ perceptions of successful aging. Educational Gerontology, 32, 423-445.

5.  Routasalo, P. Savikko, N., Tilvis, R., Strandberg, T., & Pitkälä, K. (2006). Social contacts and their relationship to loneliness among aged people – A population-based study. Gerontology, 52, 181–187.

6.  Schwartz, C., Meisenhelder, J. B., Ma, Y., & Reed, G. (2003). Altruistic social interest behaviors are associated with better mental health. Psychosomatic Medicine, 65, 778-785.

7.  Stringhini, S., Berkman, L., Dugravot, A., Ferrie, J.E., Marmot, M., Kivimaki, M., & Singh-Manoux, A.  (2012).  Socioeconomic status, structural and functional measures of social support, and mortality.  American Journal of Epidemiology, 175(12), 1275-1283.  Doi: 10.1093/aje/kwr461

8.  White, A., Philogene, S., Fine, L., & Sinha, S. (2009). Social support and self-reported health status of older adults in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 99(10),1872-1878. 

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