AARP Reports on Volunteering
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Connecting and Giving: A Report on How Mid-life and Older Americans Spend Their Time, Make Connections and Build Communities
While the rate of volunteering through or for an organization has held steady, the amount of time volunteers spend in service has declined as volunteering becomes more episodic. This 2009 survey also found that informal volunteering has increased. (71 pages)
January 15, 2010
By: Alicia Williams, John Fries, Jean Koppen and Robert Prisuta; AARP Knowledge Management
Volunteering, Service and Remembering September 11th: A National Survey of Adults 18+
Americans’ sense of duty and service is “weaker” than just after September 11th, according to 50 percent of respondents to a July 2009 survey. Almost all respondents think giving their time can help ease problems in their community. (16 pages)
September 10, 2009
By: Jean Koppen, AARP Knowledge Management | Source: AARP.org
Volunteering Perceptions and Realities: A National Survey of Adults 18+
This national survey finds that most people would choose to give time over money to help solve a national problem. However, the majority believe that Americans have not lived up to President Kennedy’s inaugural request to “ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” (11 pages)
January 19, 2009
By: Jean Koppen, AARP Knowledge Management
More to Give: Tapping the Talents of the Baby Boomer, Silent and Greatest Generations
There is significant potential to increase volunteering and civic engagement among members of the Baby Boomer, Silent, and Greatest Generations in America, according to recent AARP research, which noted that members of these generations are healthier, living longer, and appear ready to increase their civic participation. (39 pages)
January 13, 2010
By: John M. Bridgeland, Civic Enterprises; Robert D. Putnam, Civic Enterprises; Harris L. Wofford, Civic Enterprises
Survey of AARP Nevada Members
This mail survey was conducted by AARP to explore AARP Nevada members' personal concerns and the issues they view as top legislative priorities for AARP Nevada to work on with the State, as well as volunteerism, work or career and retirement plans, health care needs and expenditures, and utility/energy costs and services.
February 28, 2007
By: Jennifer H. Sauer, M.A., AARP Knowledge Management; Brittne M. Nelson, M.S., AARP Knowledge Management
2004 AARP Driver Safety Program Volunteer and Graduate Survey Report
AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: Evaluation of the AARP Drivers Safety program (DSP) courses and training materials and impact on recent graduates’ driving behavior. The AARP DSP is the nation’s first and largest classroom refresher course for age 50+ drivers. (64 pages)
December 1, 2004
By: Gail Kutner, AARP Knowledge Management
2004 AARP South Dakota Member Survey: Volunteerism
AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: Nearly half of AARP South Dakota members surveyed say they have volunteered in the last 12 months. Those who are not volunteering say they don’t because their personal schedules are too full, they have work commitments, or because of health or disability issues. (46 pages)
June 1, 2004
By: Susan L. Silberman, Ph.D., AARP Knowledge Management; Cassandra Burton, AARP Knowledge Management
Multicultural Study 2003: Time and Money: An In-Depth Look at 45+ Volunteers and Donors
A comprehensive assessment of the extent of the community service and charitable giving practices of the age 45+ population that identifies actual behavior among respondents that may be considered to have community impact, but might not be captured by traditional volunteering and giving survey questions. (7 pages)
January 28, 2005
By: Gail Kutner, AARP Knowledge Management; Jeffrey Love, Ph.D., AARP Knowledge Management
Volunteerism: A Survey Of New York AARP Members
AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: Baseline information about New York AARP members' interest in volunteering. Topics include their volunteerism rates, volunteer experience, motives for volunteering, reasons for not volunteering, and plans for volunteering in the future. (39 pages)
November 1, 2001
By: Jennifer H. Sauer, M.A., AARP Knowledge Management
Reinventing Aging: Baby Boomers and Civic Engagement
The baby boomers' retirement could bring a new definition of the older years and a social legacy of profound importance through civic involvement. This report--by the Harvard School of Public Health-MetLife Foundation, including an AARP background paper, 'Enhancing Volunteerism Among Aging Baby Boomers'--discusses what it would take to make it happen. (162 pages)
June 1, 2004
By: Harvard School of Public Health
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Research Databases
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Internet Resources on Aging A searchable directory of 1,000+ sites for and about older adults.
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Fast Fact
How Do Americans Age 45+ Rate Their Own Health?
Source: Preventive Health Screenings Among Midlife and Older Adults; February 2010
