Journal article
Befriending Older Adults in Nursing Homes: Volunteer Perceptions of Switching to Remote Befriending in the COVID-19 Era
Marcia Fearn, Robin Harper, Georgia Major, Sunil Bhar, Christina Bryant, Briony Dow, David Dunt, George Mnatzaganian, Daniel O'Connor, Julie Ratcliffe, Sarah Samuel, Anne Marie Bagnall, Colleen Doyle
Clinical Gerontologist | ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD | Published : 2021
Abstract
Objectives: Residents in nursing homes are being isolated to prevent exposure to COVID-19. Many are prone to depression, anxiety and loneliness, and extra isolation leaves them vulnerable to compromised mental health. In this study, trained volunteers providing befriending for residents with symptoms of depression, anxiety and loneliness switched to remote befriending during COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to gauge volunteer perceptions of the switch.Methods: A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to understand how switching to remote befriending impacted on volunteers and residents. A convenience sample of 18 participants responded to questions either in individual or grou..
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Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Acknowledgements
This study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council under [Grant GNT1151065]; and Beyond Blue.