Psychosocial volunteer support for older adults with cognitive impairment: development of MyCare Ageing using a codesign approach via action research

Abstract

Background and objectivesOlder adults with cognitive impairment are vulnerable to frequent hospital admissions and emergency department presentations. The aim of this study was to use a codesign approach to develop MyCare Ageing, a programme that will train volunteers to provide psychosocial support to older people with dementia and/or delirium in hospital and at home when discharged from hospital.SettingMelbourne, Victoria, Australia.Research designThis study adopts an action research methodology. We report on two co-design workshops with keystakeholders: Workshop 1: identification of components from three existing programmes to inform the development of the MyCare Ageing program logic and, Workshop 2: identification of implementation strategies.ParticipantsThe key stakeholders and workshop participants included clinicians (geriatricians, nurses and allied health), hospital staff (volunteer coordinators and hospital executives), Baptcare staff, a consumer, researchers and implementation experts and project staff.ResultsWorkshop 1 identified the components from three existing programmes—the Volunteer Dementia and Delirium Care programme, Home-Start and MyCare for inclusion in MyCare Ageing. In workshop 2, the p implementation plan was developed taking into consideration hospital-specific processes, training and support needs of volunteers and safety and risk management processes.Discussion and conclusionThe codesign process was successfully applied to develop the MyCare Ageing programme to provide volunteer support to patients with dementia and/or delirium in hospital and their transition home. MyCare Ageing is an innovative programme that meets an identified need from hospitals and consumers to support patients with dementia and/or delirium to improve psychosocial outcomes on discharge from hospital.

The effect of volunteer-led activities on the quality of life of volunteers, residents, and employees of a long-term care institution: a cohort study

“…These long-term care institutions and hospitals frequently count on the service of volunteers who perform several non-medical activities associated with the older adults’ daily lives, such as walking, reading, befriending and talking, organizing entertainment and socialization activities, and assisting in nutrition and hydration [ 2 , 4 , 8 , 9 ]. Volunteers offer extra assistance and companionship to residents, provide support to the employees (e.g., nurses, nutritionists, and physical therapists), and potentially improve the overall quality of care [ 8 , 10 ].…”

Unlicensed assistive personnel’s involvement in delivering care to persons with or at risk of delirium: a scoping review protocol

“…In delirium care, the involvement of unlicensed assistive personnel specialling can provide respite to family caregivers and free up health care professionals’ time 2. It can also benefit unlicensed assistive personnel who partake in a meaningful experience, acquire knowledge, and develop caring skills for persons with or at risk of delirium 7. In addition, registered nurses, family caregivers, close relatives, and persons with delirium report high satisfaction levels with the involvement of unlicensed assistive personnel 8.…”

“…In addition, registered nurses, family caregivers, close relatives, and persons with delirium report high satisfaction levels with the involvement of unlicensed assistive personnel 8. These initiatives are also believed to be more feasible than those led by health care professionals, which require more resources 7. Although cheaper alternatives to one-to-one or close supervision have been investigated, the involvement of unlicensed assistive personnel remains a cost-efficient way to ensure the safety of persons with delirium or at risk of this condition 9…”

The effect of volunteer-led activities on the quality of life of volunteers, residents, and employees of a long-term care institution: a cohort study

“…The lack of activities and family visits affected the older adults living in these institutions worldwide, who were further isolated due to the demands of the restrictive measures, presenting increased depressive symptoms and anxiety, reduced mental acuteness, physical capacity, well-being, and quality of life due to the lack of social connectedness and other factors [6,7]. These long-term care institutions and hospitals frequently count on the service of volunteers who perform several non-medical activities associated with the older adults' daily lives, such as walking, reading, befriending and talking, organizing entertainment and socialization activities, and assisting in nutrition and hydration [2,4,8,9]. Volunteers offer extra assistance and companionship to residents, provide support to the employees (e.g., nurses, nutritionists, and physical therapists), and potentially improve the overall quality of care [8,10].…”