Voluntary helpers in hourly home care of patients with dementia. Intermediate term results of a prospective study and results of a retrospective survey

Abstract

Care of home-based dementia patients by trained part-time volunteer "helpers" is seen as a future-oriented, easily accessible and financially affordable means of relieving the burden on family carers. Qualitative interviews with 30 former or currently active helpers were conducted, and information gathered about their past experience. The additional, prospective part of the study, which is as yet uncompleted, has so far provided data on 33 individuals with regard to their motivation in wishing to become involved in this type of voluntary relief work. The most common characteristics of this group are previous experience in the care of old and sick people, either as private citizens or in a work situation, and previous periods engaged in voluntary work. Many volunteers had had what they perceived as unpleasant experiences when caring for dementia patients. Such experiences do not lead to the abandoning of the voluntary activity so long as an experienced professional is readily available to give support and advice when there are problems. If the kind of voluntary relief work described here is to succeed in its aims then, in addition to the professional support, volunteers will require thorough preparation for their task.