Blog Post: Arizona Mature Workers - Find Your Fountain of Youth!

The Arizona Mature Workforce Initiative presents the following Blog 
by our "Guest Blogger" 

Mrs. Bernadine Hoffman, Council Member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging, and resident of Scottsdale, Arizona

Mature Workers - Find Your Fountain of Youth!
by Mrs. Bernadine Hoffman

Ponce de Leon did not. But I did. I became a volunteer. 

I retired 9 ½ years ago after working 48 years as a Registered Nurse.  Knowing I was not a card or mahjong player, a ‘luncher’ or a ‘clubber,’ I knew I could not sit idly by without finding ways to help others by sharing my years of experience and knowledge.

After working 25 years in various settings in Chicago (hospitals, clinics, public health, nursing home) we moved to Arizona in 1980. Because of my nursing home background, I found the perfect fit in the Maricopa County Long Term Care Managed Care system as a case manager which eventually led to supervising. The twenty years of experience in that system actually set the stage for my volunteer career. 

‘Drinking from the fountain’ began after applying for membership on the Area Agency on Aging, Region One’s Advisory Council, ultimately serving 2 terms. Again a great fit since I had worked closely with Region One while employed at Maricopa County.  During that same time, a previous employee of mine became the Director of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging (GACA). Their mission and goals made me realize this was another volunteer opportunity that would fit like a glove. After 2 years of serving on the Social, Health, and Alzheimer’s Committee (SHAC), I was appointed to the Council by Governor Napolitano, becoming the SHAC committee Chair after a year, ultimately serving 2 years. Eight years later my ‘Council fountain’ is still flowing. 

While a member of the Area Agency committee, I learned of their Benefits Assistance program which helps individuals resolve Medicare/Medicaid and other social issues. After completing a 5 week training course, I volunteered for the ‘Hot Line’ located at the Department of Economic Security, Division of Aging and Adult Services, working one day a week plus participating in other volunteer opportunities in that same arena.  Another ‘fountain fit’. We have had a ‘romance’ for the past 7 years with no signs of divorce. 

Of the utmost importance in volunteering is the difference YOU make to individuals, programs or groups by sharing YOUR work and life experiences. Your level of expertise, the amount of time, whether you have 2 hours a week, 1 day a week or more, is not important but becoming a volunteer in your area of interest is.   

If employment is your goal in these rough times, volunteering may be a boon to your resume.  In volunteering, I guarantee you will find your fountain! 

By the way, my current age since ‘finding the fountain’ is 74, going on 30.

We invite you to visit the Arizona Mature Worker Website, hosted by Jobing.com, at www.azmatureworkers.com   Visit it out today!