[Volunteers as family supporters in the home care setting: profile and motives]

Family caregivers are increasingly receiving support in home care at low threshold from so called "social support services", since they are often overburdened with caring. Over the necessity for voluntary workers in and beyond this area, literature identifies different aspects that describe the profile of voluntary workers. The central idea of a "new culture of aid" manifests itself in various pilot projects. Such a project was implemented in North Rhine-Westfalia, Germany, during the years 2005 to 2008. It offered social support services to family caregivers and was scientifically assessed by means of case study research. The aim of this study was to depict the profile of voluntary workers, to understand their motives, and to identify their reasons for leaving the project. A total of 52 voluntary workers were surveyed by means of a standardised questionnaire, before and six months after their enrollment in the study. The motives for their commitment to participate in the study differed significantly from the first to the second interview, particularly with regard to participation allowance and the need to strengthen their sense of self-worth. The participation allowance in itself played no primary role in the motivation to become a voluntary worker, it is, however, a not to be underestimated aspect of acknowledgement for provided help.