We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
'Ich hätte also zu Hause gesessen und Trübsal geblasen ...'.
- Authors
Philippi, M.; Luderer, C.; Altenhöner, T.
- Abstract
Background: Despite the well-known link between social support and health as well as quality of life only a few scientifically meaningful studies have been carried out to actively promote social support. In the +P Project (post-hospital lay support for patients) elderly people in need of support after a stay in hospital are accompanied in their daily life by volunteers. The qualitative research part in the study evaluates conditions which led to the adoption of the support by the volunteers and how the elderly people experienced this companionship. Methods: The analysis followed the grounded theory method. In a theoretical sampling nine accompanied people were identified and participated in narrative interviews regarding their experience of the voluntary support. Results: In addition to personality traits of the elderly and perceived seriousness of the project the interpersonal relationship was important for the adoption of the companionship. Key factors were the perceived similarity between the older people and their supporters as well as confidence in the volunteers and their skills. The support contributed to facilitating and enriching the daily life of the elderly and even friendships with the volunteers developed. Conclusions: The results indicate that volunteers can help to compensate a lack of social support for the elderly. The results confirm theoretical models of coping with age and disease-related losses and models of social relations in old age. At the same time this study underpins political recommendations to strengthen community engagement to promote social networks for older people.
- Subjects
OLDER people; SINGLE people; SOCIAL support; QUALITY of life; VOLUNTEER service
- Publication
Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie, 2015, Vol 48, Issue 4, p346
- ISSN
0948-6704
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00391-014-0803-x