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Respite care--volunteers as providers
1University of Louisville, School of Nursing, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
|January 28, 1999
Summary
This study explored the impact of respite care on volunteer providers, finding that education should include direct exposure to individuals with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Many volunteers had prior caregiving experience, suggesting a recruitment avenue.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Caregiver Support Studies
- Volunteer Program Evaluation
Background:
- Limited research exists on the impact of respite care programs on volunteer providers.
- Understanding volunteer experiences is crucial for evaluating the overall effectiveness of respite care.
- Alzheimer's Disease (AD) caregiving presents unique challenges for both formal and informal support systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the experiences and perceptions of volunteer respite providers in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) care.
- To identify key themes and challenges faced by volunteers.
- To inform future program development and volunteer recruitment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving volunteer respite providers.
- Analysis of verbalized themes, including fears and prior experiences.
- Formative evaluation of a respite care program.
Main Results:
- A significant theme identified was fear of individuals with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) among volunteers.
- The majority of volunteers (78%) had previous experience as caregivers.
- Past caregiving experience appears to be a strong predictor of volunteer engagement.
Conclusions:
- Educational components of respite care programs should incorporate direct interaction with persons with AD to mitigate fear.
- Future recruitment efforts could target former caregivers of individuals with AD.
- Further research is needed to fully understand and optimize the role of volunteer respite providers.