Effects of a Volunteer-Run Peer Support Program on Health and Satisfaction with Social Support of Older Adults Living Alone

Su Hyun Kim

doi:10.4040/jkan.2012.42.4.525

Journal List > J Korean Acad Nurs > v.42(4) > 1002833

Go to TopGo to Top Go to BottomGo to Bottom

TOOLS

Kim: Effects of a Volunteer-Run Peer Support Program on Health and Satisfaction with Social Support of Older Adults Living Alone

Original Article

J Korean Acad Nurs 2012;42(4):525-536.

Published online: 12 August 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.4.525

Effects of a Volunteer-Run Peer Support Program on Health and Satisfaction with Social Support of Older Adults Living Alone

Su Hyun Kim

College of Nursing, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea

Address reprint requests to : Kim, Su Hyun College of Nursing, Kyungpook National University, 101 Dongin 2-ga, Jung-gu, Daegu 700-422, Korea Tel: +82-53-420-4928 Fax: +82-53-421-2758 E-mail: suhyun_kim@knu.ac.kr

Received 4 August 2011 Revised 17 August 2011 Accepted 23 July 2012

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to evaluate effectiveness of a peer support program conducted by older community volunteers for older adults living alone.

Methods

Thirty volunteers trained as peer supporters were matched with low-income, older adults living alone in the community on gender. Visits occurred on a weekly basis over the 12 month study period, and the volunteers provided peer support for health management to solitary older adults. Data were collected, before the start of the program and again 6 and 12 months after its initialization, from intervention and control groups regarding physical health, general health, mental health, depression, social functioning, and satisfaction with social support. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze data.

Results

By the end of the program, socially isolated older adults in the intervention group had significantly higher scores in physical health and general health than elders in the control group. Significant interaction effects between time and group were found for depression, social functioning, and satisfaction with social support.

Conclusion

The peer support program undertaken by older community volunteers was effective in improving physical health, general health, depression, social functioning, and satisfaction with social support in socially isolated, low-income, older adults.

Keywords: Aged, Health, Social support, Voluntary workers

References

Bandura, A. 1986. Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Buman M. P.., Giacobbi P. R. Jr., Dzierzewski J. M.., Aiken M. A.., McCrae C. S.., Roberts B. L., et al2011. Peer volunteers improve long-term maintenance of physical activity with older adults: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Physical Activity & Health. 8:S257–S266.

Castro C. M.., Pruitt L. A.., Buman M. P.., King A.C. 2011. Physical activity program delivery by professionals versus volunteers: The TEAM randomized trial. Health Psychology. 30:285–294. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0021980.

Cheung C.., Ngan, M. 2000. Contributions of volunteer networking to isolated seniors in Hong Kong. Journal of Gerontological Social Work. 33:79–100.

Coull A. J.., Taylor V. H.., Elton R.., Murdoch P. S.., Hargreaves A.D. 2004. A randomised controlled trial of senior lay health mentoring in older people with ischaemic heart disease: The Braveheart Project. Age and Ageing. 33:348–354. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afh098.

Dennis C.L. 2003. Peer support within a health care context: A concept analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 40:321–332. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7489(02)00092-5.

Dickens A. P.., Richards S. H.., Greaves C. J.., Campbell J.L. 2011a. Interventions targeting social isolation in older people: A systematic review. BMC Public Health. 11:647–669. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-647.

Dickens A. P.., Richards S. H.., Hawton A.., Taylor R. S.., Greaves C. J.., Green C., et al2011b. An evaluation of the effectiveness of a community mentoring service for socially isolated older people: A controlled trial. BMC Public Health. 11:218–232. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-218.

Department of Health and Human Services. 2010. Information on the care services for the elderly. Retrieved July 1, 2011 from. http://www.mw.go.kr/front_policy/jc/sjc0110mn.jsp?PAR_MENU_ID=06&MENU_ID=061002.

Etkin C. D.., Prohaska T. R.., Harris B. A.., Latham N.., Jette, A. 2006. Feasibility of implementing the strong for life program in community settings. The Gerontologist. 46:284–292. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/46.2.284.

Greaves C. J.., Farbus, L. 2006. Effects of creative and social activity on the health and well-being of socially isolated older people: Outcomes from a multi-method observational study. The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health. 126:134–142. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1466424006064303.

Greenberg S.A. 2007. The Geriatric Depression Scale: Short form. American Journal of Nursing. 107:60–69.

Hale W. D.., Bennett R. G.., Oslos N. R.., Cochran C. D.., Burton J.R. 1997. Project REACH: A program to train community-based lay health educators. The Gerontologist. 37:683–687.

Han H.., Lee, Y. 2009. A study on factors impacting on the mental health level of the elderly people living alone. Journal of the Korean Gerontological Society. 29:805–822.

Heaney C. A.., Israel B.A. 2008. Social networks and social support. Glanz K., Rimer B.K., Viswanath K., editorsHealth behavior and health education: Theory, research, and practice. p. 189–210. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc..

Kee B.S. 1996. A preliminary study for the standardization of Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form-Korea Version. Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association. 35:298–306.

Kim O. S.., Jeon H.O. 2008. Cognitive function, depression, social support, and self-care in elderly with hypertension. Journal of Adult Nursing. 20:675–684.

Kim S.H. 2009. Health literacy and functional health status in Korean older adults. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 18:2337–2343. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02739.x.

Korean Statistical Information Service. 2010. Statistics on the elderly in 2010. Retrieved July 10, 2011, from. http://kostat.go.kr/portal/korea/kor_nw/2/1/index.board?bmode=read&aSeq=180000.

Korean Statistical Information Service. 2011. Estimated population by age. Retrieved July 25, 2011, from. http://kosis.kr/gen_etl/start.jsp?orgId=101&tblId=DT_1B01001&conn_path=I2&path=>>.

Lorig K. R.., Holman H.., Sobel D.., Laurent D.., Gonzalez V.., Minor, M. 2006. Living a healthy life with chronic conditions. Boulder, CO: Bull Publishing company.

McIntyre I.., Corradetti P.., Roberts J.., Browne G.., Watt S.., Lane, A. 1999. Pilot study of a visitor volunteer programme for community elderly people receiving home health care. Health and Social Care in the Community. 7:225–232.

Medical Outcomes Trust. 2004. IQOLA SF-12v2 Standard, S. Korea (Korean). Lincoln, R.I: QualityMetric Incorporated.

Park Y. H.., Song M.., Cho B. L.., Lim J. Y.., Song W.., Kim S.H. 2011. The effects of an integrated health education and exercise program in a community-dwelling older adults with hypertension: A randomized controlled trial. Patient Education and Counseling. 82:133–137. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2010.04.002.

Peel N. M.., Warburton, J. 2009. Using senior volunteers as peer educators: What is the evidence of effectiveness in fall prevention? Australian Journal on Ageing. 28:7–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6612.2008.00320.x.

Sarason I. G.., Sarason B. R.., Shearin E. N.., Pierce G.R. 1987. A brief measure of social support: Practical and theoretical implications. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. 4:497–510. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0265407587044007.

Schneider E. C.., Altpeter M.., Whitelaw, N. 2007. An innovative approach for building health promotion capacity: A generic volunteer training curriculum. The Gerontologist. 47:398–403. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/47.3.398.

Ware J. E.., Kosinski M.., Keller S.D. 1996. A 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey: construction of scales and preliminary tests of reliability and validity. Medical Care. 34:220–233.

Ware J. E.., Snow K. K.., Kosinski M.., Gandek, B. 1993. SF-36 health survey manual and interpretation guide. Lincoln, R.I: QualityMetric Incorporated.

Wheeler J. A.., Gorey K. M.., Greenblatt, B. 1998. The beneficial effects of volunteering for older volunteers and the people they serve: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Aging and Human Development. 47:69–79.

Figure 1.

Estimated mean of outcome variables over time by experimental and control groups (controlled for family support at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months).

Exp.=Experimental group; Cont.=Control group.

Table 1.

Outline of Educational Sessions for Older Volunteers

Session	Content outline
Session 1.	Purpose of the program
Program overview & ice breaker	- The needs and health status of socially isolated, low income older adults
	- Importance of self management for chronic illness
	Expected effects of the program
	- Benefits to socially isolated, low income older adults
	- Personal benefits of volunteering
	Process of the program
	Role and responsibilities of older volunteers
	Recording and evaluation of volunteering activities
	Expenses incurred by volunteers and compensation
	Communication with the investigator and public health center
	Self-introduction and question-and-answer
	Hand massage techniques (with practice)
Session 2.	Importance of emotional management in older adults with chronic illness
Emotional management	Techniques to manage your mind: Laughter therapy
	- Greeting, body relaxing massage, clapping techniques, healthy laughter, and sharing positive words
Session 3.	Aging process and sleep pattern
Sleep hygiene	Factors influencing sleep pattern
	Problems related to sleep difficulties in older adults
	Sleep hygiene for older adults
Session 4.	Importance of healthy eating in older adults
Nutrition	Nutritional requirements for older adults
	Healthy eating techniques for older adults
Session 5-6.	Benefits of physical activity
Physical activity	Frequencies and intensity of exercise
	Flexibility/stretching and strengthening exercises (with practice)
	Endurance or aerobic exercises
Session 7.	Influence of aging on drug effect
Medication management	Problems of medication in older adults
	Safe medication technique in older adults

Table 2.

Activities of Older Volunteers as Health Mentors

Tasks	Activities
Home visits on a weekly basis for 2 hours	Checking safety and overall health status in matched older adults
	Attentive listening and reassurance
	Performing hand massage to matched older adults
	Clapping with healthy laughter together
	Performing indoor exercise together
	Encouraging healthy behaviors of eating, exercise, sleep, and medication to matched older adults
	Informing public health nurses of emergency health problems

Table 3.

Homogeneity Test of General Characteristics between Experimental and Control Groups (N=47)

Variables	Exp. (n=26)	Cont. (n=21)	χ² or t	p
Variables	n (%) or M±SD	n (%) or M±SD	χ² or t	p
Gender			4.04	.059
Male	7 (26.9)	1 (4.8)
Female	19 (73.1)	20 (95.2)
Education			3.43	.489
No formal education	14 (53.8)	12 (57.1)
Elementary school	7 (26.9)	7 (33.3)
Middle or high school	3 (11.5)	1 (4.8)
College or above	2 (7.7)	1 (4.8)
Monthly income			0.02	.877
< 500,000 won	25 (96.2)	20 (95.2)
≥500,000 won	1 (3.8)	1 (4.8)
Age (yr)	77.24±6.10	76.62±6.47	0.34	.740
Number of chronic diseases	2.34±1.02	2.47±1.03	−0.43	.667
Number of other health/social services from the government	1.15±0.37	1.29±0.46	−1.06	.230
Family support at baseline	5.16±4.37	4.25±3.29	0.771	.445
Family support at 6 months	4.95±3.98	4.40±3.14	0.509	.614
Family support at 12 months	4.39±4.21	4.85±4.18	−0.358	.723
Physical component summary at baseline	32.16±6.64	30.24±7.13	0.85	.745
General health at baseline	20.48±20.30	18.33±22.36	0.14	.867
Mental component summary at baseline	38.14±10.12	39.19±8.31	−0.39	.201
Depression at baseline	9.82±3.40	9.08±2.81	−0.91	.979
Social functioning at baseline	41.67±21.62	55.21±24.43	−2.01	.092
Satisfaction with perceived social support at baseline	21.45±6.53	25.27±4.17	−1.42	.105

Exp.=Experimental group; Cont.=Control group.

Table 4.

Physical Component Summary, General Health, Mental Component Summary, Depression, Social Functioning, and Satisfaction with Perceived Social Support Over Time (N=47)

Variables	Exp. (n=26)			Cont. (n=21)			Group*Time		Group		Time
	Baseline^a	6M^b	12M^c	Baseline^a	6M^b	12M^c	F (p)	η 2	F (p)	η 2	F (p)	η 2
	M±SD	M±SD	M±SD	M±SD	M±SD	M±SD	F (p)	η 2	F (p)	η 2	F (p)	η 2
Physical component summary	32.16±6.64	34.63±8.43	35.80±8.20	30.24±7.13	29.41±8.58	32.55±9.67	1.10 (.339)	.03	3.63 (.033)	.10	1.03 (.362) a<c	.03
General health	20.48±20.30	33.57±23.19	35.71±28.25	18.33±22.36	13.00±16.99	24.44±26.17	3.07 (.053)	.08	5.31 (.027)	.14	4.01 (.028)a< c	.20
Mental component summary	38.14±10.12	45.10±9.32	43.16±8.84	39.19±8.31	42.48±10.53	38.73±9.52	2.24 (.112)	.05	.47 (.498)	.01	7.56 (.002)b< c	.27
Depression	9.82±3.40	6.18±3.22	7.59±3.33	9.08±2.81	8.08±3.49	9.29±3.50	4.59 (.013)	.10	1.02 (.319)	.02	14.80 (< .001)a,c< b	.43
Social functioning	41.67±29.62	59.52±30.08	58.33±26.62	55.21±24.43	48.96±31.69	50.00±24.45	5.56 (.009)	.12	.02 (.882)	.01	1.13 (.333)	.06
Satisfaction with perceived social support	21.11±6.56	24.47±3.96	23.94±5.34	25.67±4.59	26.77±4.28	22.99±5.25	5.67 (.005)	.12	4.16 (.024)	.09	4.90 (.012)a< b< c	18

Exp.=Experimental group; Cont.=Control group.

Calculated after controlling for family support at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.

TOOLS

Similar articles