Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.
Regional Advisory Unit for Palliative Care, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Health Soc Care Community. 2020 Nov;28(6):2150-2159. doi: 10.1111/hsc.13026. Epub 2020 Jun 3.
This qualitative, exploratory study aimed to investigate the perception of benefits and the challenges of Peer Support services to carers of people with dementia. Four focus group interviews were conducted with volunteer Peer Supporters (n = 40)-all former carers-on their experience of supporting such carers. One overriding theme was of making the carers' path smoother by giving the possibility for free time and reflection, and three themes summarised their experience: 'filling the gap between health care and everyday life challenges', 'importance of mutual and unique experience based on skills and knowledge' and 'the importance of setting limits'. The findings showed that voluntary work is valuable to both carers and Peer Supporters. Peer Supporters' experiences as former carers are valuable. They offer the opportunity to engage in mutually supportive relationships with carers based on shared experience and similar interests by contributing to a better management of everyday life. Being able to see positive changes in carers' lives, guarding their privacy and providing them with free time were important for volunteers in gaining enjoyment and satisfaction over time. Enabling recovery and reflection might be crucial for carers to avoid burnout. How to recruit, support Peer Supporters and incorporate them in the formal healthcare system will be of great interest in the future.
本定性探索性研究旨在调查同伴支持服务对痴呆患者照顾者的益处和挑战感知。对 40 名（均为前照顾者）志愿同伴支持者进行了四次焦点小组访谈，了解他们在支持这些照顾者方面的经验。一个首要主题是通过给予自由时间和反思的可能性，使照顾者的道路更加顺畅，三个主题总结了他们的经验：“填补医疗保健和日常生活挑战之间的差距”、“基于技能和知识的相互和独特经验的重要性”和“设定限制的重要性”。研究结果表明，志愿服务对照顾者和同伴支持者都有价值。同伴支持者作为前照顾者的经验是有价值的。他们通过基于共同经验和相似兴趣的相互支持关系，为更好地管理日常生活做出贡献，为照顾者提供了机会。能够看到照顾者生活中的积极变化、保护他们的隐私并为他们提供自由时间，这对志愿者来说是获得享受和满足感的重要因素。使照顾者能够恢复和反思可能对避免倦怠至关重要。未来如何招募、支持同伴支持者并将其纳入正式的医疗保健系统将是一个重要的研究课题。
