Every May, the United States Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living observes Older Americans Month, recognizing the contributions of aging adults and reaffirming commitments to serve older adults in communities across the country.

The 2024 theme is Powered by Connection, recognizing the impact that having social connections has on health and well-being. These bonds can be created and nurtured through activities like volunteering, which is the case for one long-time volunteer at Duet: Partners In Health & Aging, a press release stated.

Dennis Parker, an 86-year-old retiree, moved to Arizona in 2007, and has volunteered for Duet for 13 years. He has provided 190 rides to homebound adults who can no longer drive to medical appointments and the grocery store for shopping and logged hundreds of hours of service.

Parker credits his mother for instilling the importance of volunteerism in him, and a workshop about Wills and Trusts introduced him to Duet, leading him to learn about the organization’s growing need for volunteers.

“When I first started volunteering, they [Duet’s neighbors] were older than me. Now they’re younger than me,” Parker said in the release.

According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, volunteering improves physical and mental health, provides a sense of purpose, and increases social interaction for both parties, nurturing new relationships and helping build support systems based on common interests.

With 118 homebound adults currently on the waiting list, Duet is always welcoming more volunteers to build connections with neighbors in Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale (south of Bell) and Fountain Hills.

Duet: Partners In Health & Aging is a nonprofit organization with a mission to promote health and well-being through vitally needed services to homebound adults, family caregivers and grandfamilies. Duet’s free-of-charge services are available in the greater Phoenix area.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer or to register for an upcoming orientation, visit duetaz.org/help-a-homebound-adult or call (602) 274-5022.