Fearn Marcia, Harper Robin, Major Georgia, Bhar Sunil, Bryant Christina, Dow Briony, Dunt David, Mnatzaganian George, O'Connor Daniel, Ratcliffe Julie, Samuel Sarah, Bagnall Anne Marie, Doyle Colleen
Aged Care Division, National Ageing Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia.
Clin Gerontol. 2021 Jul-Sep;44(4):430-438. doi: 10.1080/07317115.2020.1868646. Epub 2021 Jan 6.
: Residents in nursing homes are being isolated to prevent exposure to COVID-19. Many are prone to depression, anxiety and loneliness, and extra isolation leaves them vulnerable to compromised mental health. In this study, trained volunteers providing befriending for residents with symptoms of depression, anxiety and loneliness switched to remote befriending during COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to gauge volunteer perceptions of the switch.: A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to understand how switching to remote befriending impacted on volunteers and residents. A convenience sample of 18 participants responded to questions either in individual or group interviews.: Volunteers adapted their befriending visits, switching from face to face visits to remote options. The format was decided collaboratively. Hearing impairments hindered phone calls. Residents sometimes felt uncomfortable with digital technology but on the whole, the change to remote "visiting" was accepted.: Further research is being conducted to gauge mental health outcomes for residents. Most volunteers and residents accepted the switch to remote befriending as better than no contact.: Volunteers can provide valuable support for residents living with social isolation during COVID-19. The format for social support needs to be decided collaboratively between volunteer and resident.
养老院的居民正在被隔离，以防止感染新冠病毒。许多人容易出现抑郁、焦虑和孤独情绪，而额外的隔离使他们的心理健康更容易受到损害。在这项研究中，为患有抑郁、焦虑和孤独症状的居民提供陪伴的经过培训的志愿者在新冠疫情期间改为远程陪伴。本研究的目的是评估志愿者对这种转变的看法。
采用质性现象学方法来了解转向远程陪伴对志愿者和居民的影响。18名参与者的便利样本通过个人或小组访谈回答问题。
志愿者调整了他们的陪伴探访方式，从面对面探访改为远程方式。形式是共同决定的。听力障碍妨碍了电话交流。居民有时对数字技术感到不自在，但总体而言，向远程“探访”的转变被接受了。
正在进行进一步研究以评估居民的心理健康结果。大多数志愿者和居民认为转向远程陪伴比没有联系要好。
在新冠疫情期间，志愿者可以为处于社会隔离状态的居民提供宝贵的支持。社会支持的形式需要志愿者和居民共同决定。
