To say that we live in uncertain times would be an understatement. Rich or poor, the current economic downturn will have a profound effect on all of us in one way or another, especially those who have retired or are thinking about retirement.

Civic engagement, or giving back, is one way to turn a half empty glass into a half full one.

We are in a perfect storm in the financial markets of shrinking values, rising prices, and restricted credit for big business and the little guy alike. We are also in a perfect storm with our ageing population.

Just as 78 million Baby Boomers in the USA are beginning to retire and draw down on their savings, the market valuations of their retirement funds and homes are heading south with no sign of recovery any time soon.

As a result, the current financial crisis is set against an unprecedented number of retirees and soon-to-be retirees who need to draw down on their savings and pension funds. The financial gurus say 'hold tight' if you don't need to access your funds for the next five years or so, but they don't give any advice on what to do if you need to draw down on your savings now to pay for rent or groceries.

For those who have ten, 20 or more years until retirement, the same gurus say you can afford to 'stay in the market'. As a result, for those who are retired and rely on their savings and investments for daily living, the immediate future is not so bright.

This results in a sense of powerlessness as we are encouraged to just 'wait it out'. And a sense of powerlessness is not good for your health. How, then, can we take this period of financial uncertainty and ageing certainty and turn it into a positive period of our lives? Civic engagement is one answer, as it enriches the life of the person giving while it enriches the community and forms a key component of active ageing.

The American Society on Aging has a five-year strategic plan that includes civic engagement, a concept it defines as 'encompassing actions wherein older adults participate in activities of personal and public concern that are both individually life enriching and socially beneficial to the community'.

At their annual conference, which is being held jointly with the National Council on Aging in March 2009, they are holding a National Civic Engagement Forum to explore 'a new vision for ageing that holds new and expanded possibilities for both older adults and the communities they serve'.

The ASA also has a New Ventures in Leadership (NVL) program that is a 'nationally acclaimed innovative one-year training programme aimed at preparing mid-career professionals from communities of colour for leadership roles in ageing-related services, business, research and policymaking at the national level'.

Alecia Ratliff is a planner with the Tulsa Area Agency on Aging and one of the NVL partners. She runs the 'A Voice for our Grandchildren' programme that helps grandparents transition into the role of parent and empowers them to become advocates for their grandchildren – a wonderful example of civic engagement.

Through its Foundation, the insurance giant MetLife promotes civic engagement through its Civic Ventures Breakthrough Award for "innovative organisations that tap the passion and experience of people over 50 to improve society".

This Award is described on the ASA website as "a salute to any non-profit or public sector agency that takes on local, national, or international challenges by engaging this vast and vibrant workforce for good".

Our own Centre on Philanthropy has been working for more than 15 years to support the non-profit sector of Bermuda and the community-at-large. They host The Bermuda Volunteer Centre on www.centreonphilanthropy.org and make it easy to find an organisation that would benefit from your skills, experience and compassion while you benefit from being involved in improving life for someone else.

There is an old Jewish proverb that says only a poor man cannot give. So how little we have, no matter how frail we are, as long as we can give back to our families and our communities, we are not poor. Civic engagement is critical to our own health and that of our communities, and forms a significant part of active ageing.

Marian Sherratt is Executive Director, Bermuda Council on Ageing. She writes on issues concerning our ageing population each month in The Royal Gazette. Send email responses to info@bdaca.org.