RESEARCH TO PRACTICE
NURSING HOME RESIDENTS AS VOLUNTEERS
Morrow-Howell, N., Hinterlong, J., Rozario, P., & Tang, F. (2003). Effects of volunteering on the well-being of older adults. Journal of Gerontology: SOCIAL SCIENCES, 58B, S137-S145.
Roberto, K. A., & Scott, J. (1984/85). Friendship patterns among older women. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 19, 1-9.
The research literature over the last thirty years shows a positive relationship between volunteering and well-being. This suggests that volunteering plays a role in maintaining well-being in later life. Some social scientists have speculated that this relates to role theory---the more roles a person maintains the more positive the health outcomes because of the number of opportunities to increase social networks, power, prestige, resources, and emotional gratification.
Morrow-Howell’s group of researchers have found that even low levels of involvement in volunteering lead to well-being. It may be that just having the role of volunteer, not necessarily the heavy involvement in it, that may lead to enhanced health and well-being suggesting that even persons with increasing disabilities may benefit from programs structured around modest time commitments. However, it is important that the work be challenging and meaningful, giving older people the sense that they are helping others.
These findings may relate to equity theory (Roberto & Scott, 1984/84) in which an equitable relationship exists if all participants are receiving gains. Participants will be distressed if they contribute too much or receive too much from a relationship. Equity is related to high morale. In this study women who were over-benefited (those who received more help than they gave) had the lowest morale. It was speculated that receiving goods and services that one cannot repay may leave one feeling uncomfortable or inferior, resulting in lower morale.
Implications: This study suggests two types of implications. First, it would indicate that nursing home residents should be given opportunities to volunteer and second, it suggests implications for relationships between staff and residents.
In the first case, nursing home activity staff may be able to learn from their local Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). These groups can explain how volunteers are matched to opportunities that meet their interests and they may be able to identify some volunteer activities that can be carried out by disabled older people living in a nursing home. Having a volunteer group meet in the nursing home where they can assemble children’s kits for overseas, stuff envelopes, or plan fund-raising projects may allow residents to feel a part of the activity even if they can physically do very little. For a list of RSVP programs in Kansas, see: www.kanserve.org/ksocshomepage/seniorcorps.htm#RSVPThe second aspect to be considered is staff/resident relationships. Most nursing homes have policies against residents giving staff gifts. This means that many residents will suffer from an imbalance in the equity theory because they see themselves as over-benefiting, receiving more than they can give. In these circumstances, staff should consider making residents feel useful by seeking their advice in personal issues or engaging them in opportunities where they can volunteer to help others.
The outcome for this study was well-being. Some studies relate volunteerism with decreased mortality as well. Nursing home facility staff should be able to determine increases in well-being through improved satisfaction scores, decreased mortality, increased engagement, and improved physical health.