Experiences and expectations of receiving volunteer services among home-based elderly in Chinese urban areas: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background: The various complex needs for assistance among home-based older adults have increased dramatically. Thus, it would be advantageous to recruit volunteers with medical knowledge and a better understanding to support and assist the elderly living in urban communities.

Aim: This study aimed to explore the experiences and expectations of receiving volunteer services among the home-based elderly in Chinese urban areas. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. This study was performed in two communities in Wuhan, Hubei Province. A purposive sampling method, which includes criterion and maximum variation sampling, was used to identify and select a diverse range of participants. Semistructured face-to-face interviews with 20 older adults (aged 62-90 years old) were performed. The conventional content analysis method was used for thematic analysis.

Results: Three categories with associated subcategories were identified: experiences of receiving volunteer services including negative and positive experiences; specific needs for volunteer services involving physiological, psychosocial, health-related behaviours and environmental domains; characteristics of expected volunteer services including availability, formats, recipients, providers and service strategies.

Conclusions: The volunteer services provided to the home-based elderly were found to be unsatisfactory, and lacking relevance and effectiveness. Due to a lack of family support or difficulty in meeting some high-level needs, the home-based elderly expressed a strong demand for volunteer services involving physiological, psychosocial, health-related behaviours and environmental domains. This finding can provide a basis for developing training plans beneficial to volunteers. Furthermore, the present research clarifies the criteria for selecting volunteers and the necessity of supervising and managing volunteers. Improving the effectiveness and accessibility of urban-community volunteer service may reduce the burden on care institutions and home caregivers while enhancing the quality of life and well-being of the elderly.

Patient or public contribution: Developing research questions, study design, management and conduct and interpretation of evidence.

Keywords: assistance; expectation; experience; older adults; volunteer service.