Dynamics of Care-giving – Qualitative Study on Experience of Volunteers Working on Geriatric Internal Ward (Wholesome Contact Project) (part of Symposium: the Wholesome Contact Project...)

Abstract

Volunteers-based non-pharmacological delirium prevention was founded on internal geriatric ward. Volunteers' saily assistance is known to improve patients’ well-being and are proved to be effective in delirium prevention and outcomes improvement. Qualitative study was conducted to explore variety and dynamics of experience of voluntary work on geriatric ward. The special interest was given to volunteers’ motivation, values, believes concerning work and attitudes toward elders and the change of those aspects in process of care-giving. 20 volunteers were interviewed about their lived experience of voluntary. Transcribed data were submitted to IPA. Great emotional burden connected with the care-giving in geriatric ward and confrontation with corporeity, severe illness, difficult aging, death and traumatizing hospital environment lead to decreased motivation and frequent drop-outs. The necessary need for supervision and psychological support for volunteers were identified. Context-dependent findings have significant implications for proper management and safe environment for volunteers on geriatric ward with respect to individual differences of motivation, values and attitudes.