Old people are not only rich in years, but they also have a wealth of skills and experiences. They have survived many difficult situations in life that are unimaginable. However, as people age and become frail, many view them as burdens than still functioning citizens. This article will discuss ways through which elders can contribute to society and prove them wrong.

Elders can Contribute to Society Through Various Ways

The free time and those senior citizens have should devote it to activities that they enjoy doing. Getting older is inevitable, but as the age-old cliché goes, age is just a number. Certainly, older people cannot be as active as they used to be in their daily lives, but they can surely do a number of things that will keep them busy and active through their day.

Here are some activity ideas through which the elders can contribute to society:

1. Volunteering – Many old become more familiar with the idea of socialization and to helping others. In reality, they need to find new ways to spend their free. One of the best activities that they can do to pass their time and create an impact is to volunteer for a cause they are passionate about. They can start serving food at a homeless shelter, they can help strays through animal organizations, or tutor and help children with their school homework. The civil society is always looking for an extra pair of hands to help with the heightened needs.
2. Teach crafts and fading skills – As technology invades our daily lives, many crafts and skills that were once important are lost. Many elders know crafts and skills that are now becoming extinct that they should open their own workshop to teach others arts like wood carving, metalsmithing, knitting, pottery, etc. They can act as torchbearers of skills that will soon exist only in history books and folklore museums.
3. Disseminate their wisdom – Seniors have experienced crucial moments in history and events granting them a unique wisdom. Their accumulated experiences and knowledge can help the younger generation taking essential decisions about their future. They are the ones that have experienced change through the decades and through their vast experiences they can judge if something changes to the better or worse on various topics. Their “wisdom” makes them ideal for their involvement with politics on a local level or by participating in various governing bodies.

COL-SUMERS Project – Enabling Elders’ Participation

COL-SUMERS Project wants to enable elders contribute to society through their active participation in the modern world. Technological improvements in the last decades have created a vast technological gap between the younger generations and the older people that resulted in the latter’s isolation.

See the official website of COL-SUMERS project initiative to train older persons on how to actively participate in modern society.