Older people living in care homes should be considered part of the wider local community; however, little is known about what enables them to connect with people not paid to look after them or family members. Volunteering can complement paid and familial support. While volunteering is common in community settings, care home residents are less likely to benefit from their input. We conducted a mixed methods systematic review and stakeholder consultation that aimed to identify volunteer activities in care homes and evidence for their effectiveness and sustainability. Databases were searched from 2000 to July 2021. Studies of all designs reporting volunteer-led activities with care home residents 65-years or over were included. Data on interventions, study population, study context, outcomes and implementation issues were extracted and synthesised. We identified 36 studies on the use, effectiveness and implementation of volunteering in care homes, although the overall strength of evidence was weak. Resident engagement and mood appeared to improve during volunteer-led activities, but there was little research examining the longer-term impact. Qualitative and stakeholder data suggest considerable investment is needed to initiate and maintain volunteering initiatives, but there are positive benefits for volunteers, residents and staff if an intervention is sustained. Financial cost for care home facilities is unclear. Interventions that address inequalities in accessing volunteer support within the resident population and between facilities should be considered.

中文翻译：

---

养老院老年人志愿服务的有效性和可持续性：混合方法系统评价

住在养老院的老年人应被视为更广泛的当地社区的一部分；然而，人们对是什么使他们能够与没有报酬照顾他们或家人的人联系却知之甚少。志愿服务可以补充有偿和家庭支持。虽然志愿服务在社区环境中很常见，但养老院居民不太可能从他们的投入中受益。我们进行了混合方法系统审查和利益相关者咨询，旨在确定养老院中的志愿者活动及其有效性和可持续性的证据。对 2000 年至 2021 年 7 月的数据库进行了搜索。包括所有报告志愿者主导活动的设计研究，这些设计报告了 65 岁或以上的养老院居民。提取和综合了有关干预措施、研究人群、研究背景、结果和实施问题的数据。我们确定了 36 项关于养老院志愿服务的使用、有效性和实施的研究，尽管总体证据强度较弱。在志愿者主导的活动中，居民的参与度和情绪似乎有所改善，但很少有研究检查长期影响。定性和利益相关者数据表明，需要大量投资来启动和维持志愿服务计划，但如果持续干预，志愿者、居民和工作人员都会受益。养老院设施的财务成本尚不清楚。应考虑采取干预措施，解决常住人口内部和设施之间在获得志愿者支持方面的不平等问题。尽管证据的整体强度很弱。在志愿者主导的活动中，居民的参与度和情绪似乎有所改善，但很少有研究检查长期影响。定性和利益相关者数据表明，需要大量投资来启动和维持志愿服务计划，但如果持续干预，志愿者、居民和工作人员都会受益。养老院设施的财务成本尚不清楚。应考虑采取干预措施，解决常住人口内部和设施之间在获得志愿者支持方面的不平等问题。尽管证据的整体强度很弱。在志愿者主导的活动中，居民的参与度和情绪似乎有所改善，但很少有研究检查长期影响。定性和利益相关者数据表明，需要大量投资来启动和维持志愿服务计划，但如果持续干预，志愿者、居民和工作人员都会受益。养老院设施的财务成本尚不清楚。应考虑采取干预措施，解决常住人口内部和设施之间在获得志愿者支持方面的不平等问题。定性和利益相关者数据表明，需要大量投资来启动和维持志愿服务计划，但如果持续干预，志愿者、居民和工作人员都会受益。养老院设施的财务成本尚不清楚。应考虑采取干预措施，解决常住人口内部和设施之间在获得志愿者支持方面的不平等问题。定性和利益相关者数据表明，需要大量投资来启动和维持志愿服务计划，但如果持续干预，志愿者、居民和工作人员都会受益。养老院设施的财务成本尚不清楚。应考虑采取干预措施，解决常住人口内部和设施之间在获得志愿者支持方面的不平等问题。