[Low-threshold support services for people with dementia--the viewpoint of volunteers]

The aim of the study was to investigate the perspective of volunteers on low-threshold support services. The volunteers were asked to estimate their engagement in care and the constitution of these services in considera-tion of their employment position.

In an explorative cross-sectional study we collected data using standardised questionnaires in 2 regions of North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany). The analysis was descriptive.

The results show that the employment position differed: half of the volunteers were really honorary involved. The others were regularly salaried. In general all volunteers searched for a meaningful and fulfilling activity and benefitted from it. The aspects related to the constitution of the services (concerning the services in general, with organisational character, concerning the behaviour of the volunteer) were all important. The most important aspect was the needs of the people with dementia. These estimations hardly differed according to the employment position.

The volunteers involved in low-threshold support services show a high commitment. They hold a lot of potential but they also have to be defended from excessive demands. Because of the salaried employment of the volunteers, the services providers have a planning reliability and can offer a continuous care. Thus shows a tendency towards a professionalisation of these voluntary workers.