Journal
JOURNAL OF KOREAN ACADEMY OF NURSING
Volume 42, Issue 4, Pages 525-536Publisher
KOREAN SOC NURSING SCIENCE
DOI: 10.4040/jkan.2012.42.4.525
Keywords
Aged; Health; Social support; Voluntary workers
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Funding
- National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)
- Ministry of Education, Science and Technology [2009-0068805]
- National Research Foundation of Korea [2009-0068805] Funding Source: Korea Institute of Science & Technology Information (KISTI), National Science & Technology Information Service (NTIS)
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Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate effectiveness of a peer support program conducted by older community volunteers for older adults living alone. Methods: Thirty volunteers trained as peer supporters were matched with low-income, older adults living alone in the community on gender. Visits occurred on a weekly basis over the 12 month study period, and the volunteers provided peer support for health management to solitary older adults. Data were collected, before the start of the program and again 6 and 12 months after its initialization, from intervention and control groups regarding physical health, general health, mental health, depression, social functioning, and satisfaction with social support. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze data. Results: By the end of the program, socially isolated older adults in the intervention group had significantly higher scores in physical health and general health than elders in the control group. Significant interaction effects be tween time and group were found for depression, social functioning, and satisfaction with social support. Conclusion: The peer support program undertaken by older community volunteers was effective in improving physical health, general health, depression, social functioning, and satisfaction with social support in socially isolated, low-income, older adults.
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