invisible grands "Gotta serve somebody"...especially during the holidays How to fill the hole in our hearts during this memory-triggering time of the year BY PAT HANSON, PH.D. T he refrain of the popular Bob Dylan song "Gotta Serve Somebody" is more important than ever during the holiday season. Grandparents handling separation for reasons of distance, complicated custody issues, immigration issues, or even death, need more than ever to give their time to others in need. " "Research shows that older adults who volunteer in activities they consider meaningful are happier and less depressed..." " Why? Not only do volunteer acts assist others, but they also benefit the volunteering individual. Studies have shown that service can cause a decrease in loneliness for those volunteering as well as helping the organizations and people they serve. Research reported by the National Institute on Aging shows that older adults who volunteer in activities they consider meaningful are happier and less depressed, cope better with loss, and may even have a lower risk of dementia and health problems. There are many proven personal benefits of community volunteerism. Working together with a 36 GRAND NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2018 Continued on next pagehttps://www.facebook.com/GRANDmagazine/ https://www.twitter.com/grandMmagazine