ABSTRACT

Population aging and resource constraints in aged care indicate an ever increasing need for volunteers in this growing sector. Volunteers in aged care have different expectations and experiences, as they typically form longer and closer relationships with residents, and perform important social support functions that may otherwise not be delivered. Tailored strategies to recruit and retain these volunteers are needed. The aims of this review were to identify the motivations and expectations of aged care volunteers, and to examine strategies that foster their recruitment, retention and role satisfaction. A systematic review of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase and Cochrane Library was conducted. Selection criteria included qualitative and quantitative studies published in English, with no date restrictions. Volunteering roles were restricted to residential aged care services. The 18 studies eligible for review presented consistently strong themes across volunteer motivation, recruitment/retention, and satisfaction/involvement. Implications for policy and practice relate to the importance of setting clear role expectations, matching volunteers’ skills with roles, ongoing training and support, and the need for operational frameworks that support volunteers with administrative processes, communication and complaint resolution. Improved volunteer management that enables the consistent provision of social support in this setting stands to improve residents’ quality of life.

摘要

老年护理领域的人口老龄化和资源限制表明，这个不断增长的部门对志愿者的需求不断增加。老年护理志愿者有不同的期望和经历，因为他们通常与居民建立更长久、更密切的关系，并履行否则可能无法提供的重要社会支持功能。需要有针对性的策略来招募和留住这些志愿者。本次审查的目的是确定老年护理志愿者的动机和期望，并研究促进他们的招募、保留和角色满意度的策略。对 MEDLINE、PsycINFO、CINAHL、Embase 和 Cochrane 图书馆进行了系统评价。选择标准包括以英文发表的定性和定量研究，没有日期限制。志愿服务仅限于住宅老年护理服务。符合审查条件的 18 项研究在志愿者动机、招募/保留和满意度/参与方面始终呈现出强烈的主题。对政策和实践的影响涉及设定明确的角色期望、使志愿者的技能与角色相匹配、持续培训和支持的重要性，以及支持志愿者管理流程、沟通和投诉解决的运营框架的必要性。改进的志愿者管理能够在这种情况下持续提供社会支持，从而提高居民的生活质量。对政策和实践的影响涉及设定明确的角色期望、使志愿者的技能与角色相匹配、持续培训和支持的重要性，以及支持志愿者管理流程、沟通和投诉解决的运营框架的必要性。改进的志愿者管理能够在这种情况下持续提供社会支持，从而提高居民的生活质量。对政策和实践的影响涉及设定明确的角色期望、使志愿者的技能与角色相匹配、持续培训和支持的重要性，以及支持志愿者管理流程、沟通和投诉解决的运营框架的必要性。改进的志愿者管理能够在这种情况下持续提供社会支持，从而提高居民的生活质量。