Leveraging the Contribution of Volunteers: The Critical Role and Economic Value of Volunteers in Older Americans Act Programs.

Publisher: Informa Healthcare Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 8914669 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1545-0821 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 08959420 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Aging Soc Policy

Publication: London : Informa Healthcare
Original Publication: [Binghamton, NY] : Haworth Press, [c1989-

Long-Term Care* ; Financial Management*; United States ; Humans ; Aged ; Aging

The United States is facing a surge in the aging population, which will increase the demand for services and supports that allow older adults to age independently. This study assessed the size and value of the volunteer labor force in two home- and community-based programs funded under the Older Americans Act (OAA). Using publicly available program data for fiscal years 2015-2019, we calculated the annual contribution of volunteers, based on the total number of volunteer hours and share of labor effort, and estimated the economic value of volunteers in these OAA programs. In fiscal year 2019, volunteers contributed a total value of $1.7 billion in the OAA Title III program and $14.0 million in the Title VII long-term care ombudsman program. These results highlight the value of volunteers in OAA programs and the need for policies to support volunteers in the aging services network.

Keywords: Older Americans Act; aging services network; economic value; volunteers

Date Created: 20220925 Date Completed: 20240415 Latest Revision: 20240415

20240415

10.1080/08959420.2022.2127596

36153829