Date of Award

3-31-1995

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Department

Social Work

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to explore older adults' perceptions of community needs in education, basic human needs, the environment, and public safety and to define the role(s) older volunteers might play in addressing these needs. It was hypothesized that if older adults were given the opportunity to speak about their perceptions, they would be willing to address the identified needs through volunteerism. Data were gathered through 3 focus groups involving 20 Greater St. Cloud Area RSVP participants between the ages of 60 and 7O.

Findings indicate that older adults do perceive a number of needs in the community and also have recommendations about how to address those needs through the development of volunteer opportunities. The collected data should assist community organizations to design volunteer opportunities which utilize older adults' skills, knowledge, and interests to the greatest extent possible.

Identifier

SC 11.MSW.1995.Busse.TR

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