Abstract
The Volunteering-in-Place (VIP) Program was developed to provide individualized meaningful volunteer activities matched to interests and capabilities for older adults in assisted living (AL). The purposes of this study were to (1) establish feasibility of the VIP Program based on treatment fidelity (design, treatment, delivery, enactment); and (2) evaluate preliminary efficacy via improvement in psychological health (depressive symptoms, usefulness, purpose, resilience, and life satisfaction) and decreased sedentary activity (survey and Fitbit) at 3 and 6 months.
Guided by the Social Ecological Model and Social Cognitive Theory, the VIP Program addressed barriers to volunteering through innovative motivational techniques and making volunteer opportunities accessible to residents. A Volunteer Coordinator facilitated the VIP Program using a four step approach: 1) Environmental Scan and Staff Education; 2) Assessment of Residents Abilities and Interests; 3) Ongoing Implementation of the VIP Program; and 4) Individualized Reassessment of the Volunteer Activity.
This was a single group, single-site, repeated measures study. Residents were eligible if they were ≥ 65years old, scored ≥ 2 on the three-item recall, and could sign consent. Survey and Fitbit data were collected at baseline, three and six months post volunteering.
Ten residents participated. The majority was white, female, educated, and on average 88 years. The VIP Program was feasible and most participants continued to volunteer at 6 months. There were non-significant improvements in depressive symptoms, usefulness, purpose, resilience and recreational physical activity.
The results of this study provide support for the feasibility of the VIP Program. Further study is necessary to examine efficacy.