Those who volunteer their services are not . A good example is the lack of recognition of those who act as caregivers to the frail and disabled. Without this unpaid labor most frail seniors would be in nursing homes, adding tremendous costs to our health care system. Also, there are over a million grandparents raising their grandchildren and many others are assisting in after school care. This statistical system which says that helping others, while not being paid, adds nothing to the country's gross national product underestimates peoples' value but especially undervalues women and elders.
Unpaid work is productive.
By overlooking this, society creates an incorrect impression of idleness among seniors which is incorrect. According to The Administration on Aging nearly half of the people 65 and over participate in volunteer activities. Volunteers give an average of 4.4 hours per week to organizations or causes. Some donate as much as 40 hours per week. These volunteer services are estimated to be worth more than 70.5 billion dollars .