[The use of volunteers to support family carers of dementia patients: results of a prospective longitudinal study investigating expectations towards and experience with training and professional support].

Caring for a dementia patient in the family often turns out to be a full-time job for family carers. So home visitors-for example volunteers spending time with the patient and thus offering some respite to the family-may be a very important aspect of stabilizing home care. This study investigates the expectations of volunteers concerning their training and their future voluntary work, as well as their visiting experiences, and their reasons for stopping the voluntary work. A total of 40 volunteers were interviewed three times over a 18 month period. The interviews were based on interview guidelines and were problem-centered. The interviewees' replies were subject to a summarizing qualitative content analysis. Of the study participants 85% were women, 48% had previously been family carers themselves, and 50% had previous experience of other voluntary work. Their wish "to do something useful" and "to learn more about dementia" were the main reasons for participation in voluntary work. The interviewed persons tend to learn most about communicating with dementia patients through case studies and practical exercises. Work pressures or restarting employment were the most common reasons to stop the voluntary work. Only if the volunteers are supported by professionals--particularly in the form of a contact person who is always available when problems occur--can this type of respite for family carers be maintained.