Su Hyun Kim

doi:10.4040/jkan.2012.42.4.525

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Effects of a Volunteer-Run Peer Support Program on Health and Satisfaction with Social Support of Older Adults Living Alone: Su Hyun Kim; Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2012;42(4):525-536.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.4.525
Published online: August 12, 2012

College of Nursing, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea

Address reprint requests to : Kim, Su Hyun College of Nursing, Kyungpook National University, 101 Dongin 2-ga, Jung-gu, Daegu 700-422, Korea Tel: +82-53-420-4928 Fax: +82-53-421-2758 E-mail: suhyun_kim@knu.ac.kr

• Received: August 4, 2011 • Revised: August 17, 2011 • Accepted: July 23, 2012

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Abstract
REFERENCES

Abstract

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 between 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.
Keywords: Aged; Health; Social support; Voluntary workers

Figure 1.

Estimated mean of outcome variables over time by experimental and control groups (controlled for family support at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months).

Exp.=Experimental group; Cont.=Control group.

Table 1.

Outline of Educational Sessions for Older Volunteers

Session	Content outline
Session 1.	Purpose of the program
Program overview & ice breaker	- The needs and health status of socially isolated, low income older adults
	- Importance of self management for chronic illness
	Expected effects of the program
	- Benefits to socially isolated, low income older adults
	- Personal benefits of volunteering
	Process of the program
	Role and responsibilities of older volunteers
	Recording and evaluation of volunteering activities
	Expenses incurred by volunteers and compensation
	Communication with the investigator and public health center
	Self-introduction and question-and-answer
	Hand massage techniques (with practice)
Session 2.	Importance of emotional management in older adults with chronic illness
Emotional management	Techniques to manage your mind: Laughter therapy
	- Greeting, body relaxing massage, clapping techniques, healthy laughter, and sharing positive words
Session 3.	Aging process and sleep pattern
Sleep hygiene	Factors influencing sleep pattern
	Problems related to sleep difficulties in older adults
	Sleep hygiene for older adults
Session 4.	Importance of healthy eating in older adults
Nutrition	Nutritional requirements for older adults
	Healthy eating techniques for older adults
Session 5-6.	Benefits of physical activity
Physical activity	Frequencies and intensity of exercise
	Flexibility/stretching and strengthening exercises (with practice)
	Endurance or aerobic exercises
Session 7.	Influence of aging on drug effect
Medication management	Problems of medication in older adults
	Safe medication technique in older adults

Table 2.

Activities of Older Volunteers as Health Mentors

Tasks	Activities
Home visits on a weekly basis for 2 hours	Checking safety and overall health status in matched older adults
	Attentive listening and reassurance
	Performing hand massage to matched older adults
	Clapping with healthy laughter together
	Performing indoor exercise together
	Encouraging healthy behaviors of eating, exercise, sleep, and medication to matched older adults
	Informing public health nurses of emergency health problems

Table 3.

Homogeneity Test of General Characteristics between Experimental and Control Groups (N=47)

Variables	Exp. (n=26)	Cont. (n=21)	χ² or t	p
Variables	n (%) or M±SD	n (%) or M±SD	χ² or t	p
Gender			4.04	.059
Male	7 (26.9)	1 (4.8)
Female	19 (73.1)	20 (95.2)
Education			3.43	.489
No formal education	14 (53.8)	12 (57.1)
Elementary school	7 (26.9)	7 (33.3)
Middle or high school	3 (11.5)	1 (4.8)
College or above	2 (7.7)	1 (4.8)
Monthly income			0.02	.877
< 500,000 won	25 (96.2)	20 (95.2)
≥500,000 won	1 (3.8)	1 (4.8)
Age (yr)	77.24±6.10	76.62±6.47	0.34	.740
Number of chronic diseases	2.34±1.02	2.47±1.03	−0.43	.667
Number of other health/social services from the government	1.15±0.37	1.29±0.46	−1.06	.230
Family support at baseline	5.16±4.37	4.25±3.29	0.771	.445
Family support at 6 months	4.95±3.98	4.40±3.14	0.509	.614
Family support at 12 months	4.39±4.21	4.85±4.18	−0.358	.723
Physical component summary at baseline	32.16±6.64	30.24±7.13	0.85	.745
General health at baseline	20.48±20.30	18.33±22.36	0.14	.867
Mental component summary at baseline	38.14±10.12	39.19±8.31	−0.39	.201
Depression at baseline	9.82±3.40	9.08±2.81	−0.91	.979
Social functioning at baseline	41.67±21.62	55.21±24.43	−2.01	.092
Satisfaction with perceived social support at baseline	21.45±6.53	25.27±4.17	−1.42	.105

Exp.=Experimental group; Cont.=Control group.

Table 4.

Physical Component Summary, General Health, Mental Component Summary, Depression, Social Functioning, and Satisfaction with Perceived Social Support Over Time (N=47)

Variables	Exp. (n=26)			Cont. (n=21)			Group*Time		Group		Time
	Baseline^a	6M^b	12M^c	Baseline^a	6M^b	12M^c	F (p)	η 2	F (p)	η 2	F (p)	η 2
	M±SD	M±SD	M±SD	M±SD	M±SD	M±SD	F (p)	η 2	F (p)	η 2	F (p)	η 2
Physical component summary	32.16±6.64	34.63±8.43	35.80±8.20	30.24±7.13	29.41±8.58	32.55±9.67	1.10 (.339)	.03	3.63 (.033)	.10	1.03 (.362) a<c	.03
General health	20.48±20.30	33.57±23.19	35.71±28.25	18.33±22.36	13.00±16.99	24.44±26.17	3.07 (.053)	.08	5.31 (.027)	.14	4.01 (.028)a< c	.20
Mental component summary	38.14±10.12	45.10±9.32	43.16±8.84	39.19±8.31	42.48±10.53	38.73±9.52	2.24 (.112)	.05	.47 (.498)	.01	7.56 (.002)b< c	.27
Depression	9.82±3.40	6.18±3.22	7.59±3.33	9.08±2.81	8.08±3.49	9.29±3.50	4.59 (.013)	.10	1.02 (.319)	.02	14.80 (< .001)a,c< b	.43
Social functioning	41.67±29.62	59.52±30.08	58.33±26.62	55.21±24.43	48.96±31.69	50.00±24.45	5.56 (.009)	.12	.02 (.882)	.01	1.13 (.333)	.06
Satisfaction with perceived social support	21.11±6.56	24.47±3.96	23.94±5.34	25.67±4.59	26.77±4.28	22.99±5.25	5.67 (.005)	.12	4.16 (.024)	.09	4.90 (.012)a< b< c	18

Exp.=Experimental group; Cont.=Control group.

Calculated after controlling for family support at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.

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Figure & Data

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Effects of a Volunteer-Run Peer Support Program on Health and Satisfaction with Social Support of Older Adults Living Alone

J Korean Acad Nurs. 2012;42(4):525-536. Published online August 12, 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.4.525

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Effects of a Volunteer-Run Peer Support Program on Health and Satisfaction with Social Support of Older Adults Living Alone

Figure 1. Estimated mean of outcome variables over time by experimental and control groups (controlled for family support at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months).

Figure 1.

Effects of a Volunteer-Run Peer Support Program on Health and Satisfaction with Social Support of Older Adults Living Alone

Session	Content outline
Session 1.	Purpose of the program
Program overview & ice breaker	- The needs and health status of socially isolated, low income older adults
	- Importance of self management for chronic illness
	Expected effects of the program
	- Benefits to socially isolated, low income older adults
	- Personal benefits of volunteering
	Process of the program
	Role and responsibilities of older volunteers
	Recording and evaluation of volunteering activities
	Expenses incurred by volunteers and compensation
	Communication with the investigator and public health center
	Self-introduction and question-and-answer
	Hand massage techniques (with practice)
Session 2.	Importance of emotional management in older adults with chronic illness
Emotional management	Techniques to manage your mind: Laughter therapy
	- Greeting, body relaxing massage, clapping techniques, healthy laughter, and sharing positive words
Session 3.	Aging process and sleep pattern
Sleep hygiene	Factors influencing sleep pattern
	Problems related to sleep difficulties in older adults
	Sleep hygiene for older adults
Session 4.	Importance of healthy eating in older adults
Nutrition	Nutritional requirements for older adults
	Healthy eating techniques for older adults
Session 5-6.	Benefits of physical activity
Physical activity	Frequencies and intensity of exercise
	Flexibility/stretching and strengthening exercises (with practice)
	Endurance or aerobic exercises
Session 7.	Influence of aging on drug effect
Medication management	Problems of medication in older adults
	Safe medication technique in older adults

Tasks	Activities
Home visits on a weekly basis for 2 hours	Checking safety and overall health status in matched older adults
	Attentive listening and reassurance
	Performing hand massage to matched older adults
	Clapping with healthy laughter together
	Performing indoor exercise together
	Encouraging healthy behaviors of eating, exercise, sleep, and medication to matched older adults
	Informing public health nurses of emergency health problems

Variables	Exp. (n=26)	Cont. (n=21)	χ² or t	p
Variables	n (%) or M±SD	n (%) or M±SD	χ² or t	p
Gender			4.04	.059
Male	7 (26.9)	1 (4.8)
Female	19 (73.1)	20 (95.2)
Education			3.43	.489
No formal education	14 (53.8)	12 (57.1)
Elementary school	7 (26.9)	7 (33.3)
Middle or high school	3 (11.5)	1 (4.8)
College or above	2 (7.7)	1 (4.8)
Monthly income			0.02	.877
< 500,000 won	25 (96.2)	20 (95.2)
≥500,000 won	1 (3.8)	1 (4.8)
Age (yr)	77.24±6.10	76.62±6.47	0.34	.740
Number of chronic diseases	2.34±1.02	2.47±1.03	−0.43	.667
Number of other health/social services from the government	1.15±0.37	1.29±0.46	−1.06	.230
Family support at baseline	5.16±4.37	4.25±3.29	0.771	.445
Family support at 6 months	4.95±3.98	4.40±3.14	0.509	.614
Family support at 12 months	4.39±4.21	4.85±4.18	−0.358	.723
Physical component summary at baseline	32.16±6.64	30.24±7.13	0.85	.745
General health at baseline	20.48±20.30	18.33±22.36	0.14	.867
Mental component summary at baseline	38.14±10.12	39.19±8.31	−0.39	.201
Depression at baseline	9.82±3.40	9.08±2.81	−0.91	.979
Social functioning at baseline	41.67±21.62	55.21±24.43	−2.01	.092
Satisfaction with perceived social support at baseline	21.45±6.53	25.27±4.17	−1.42	.105

Variables	Exp. (n=26)			Cont. (n=21)			Group*Time		Group		Time
	Baseline^a	6M^b	12M^c	Baseline^a	6M^b	12M^c	F (p)	η 2	F (p)	η 2	F (p)	η 2
	M±SD	M±SD	M±SD	M±SD	M±SD	M±SD	F (p)	η 2	F (p)	η 2	F (p)	η 2
Physical component summary	32.16±6.64	34.63±8.43	35.80±8.20	30.24±7.13	29.41±8.58	32.55±9.67	1.10 (.339)	.03	3.63 (.033)	.10	1.03 (.362) a<c	.03
General health	20.48±20.30	33.57±23.19	35.71±28.25	18.33±22.36	13.00±16.99	24.44±26.17	3.07 (.053)	.08	5.31 (.027)	.14	4.01 (.028)a< c	.20
Mental component summary	38.14±10.12	45.10±9.32	43.16±8.84	39.19±8.31	42.48±10.53	38.73±9.52	2.24 (.112)	.05	.47 (.498)	.01	7.56 (.002)b< c	.27
Depression	9.82±3.40	6.18±3.22	7.59±3.33	9.08±2.81	8.08±3.49	9.29±3.50	4.59 (.013)	.10	1.02 (.319)	.02	14.80 (< .001)a,c< b	.43
Social functioning	41.67±29.62	59.52±30.08	58.33±26.62	55.21±24.43	48.96±31.69	50.00±24.45	5.56 (.009)	.12	.02 (.882)	.01	1.13 (.333)	.06
Satisfaction with perceived social support	21.11±6.56	24.47±3.96	23.94±5.34	25.67±4.59	26.77±4.28	22.99±5.25	5.67 (.005)	.12	4.16 (.024)	.09	4.90 (.012)a< b< c	18

Table 1. Outline of Educational Sessions for Older Volunteers

Table 2. Activities of Older Volunteers as Health Mentors

Table 3. Homogeneity Test of General Characteristics between Experimental and Control Groups (N=47)

Exp.=Experimental group; Cont.=Control group.

Table 4. Physical Component Summary, General Health, Mental Component Summary, Depression, Social Functioning, and Satisfaction with Perceived Social Support Over Time (N=47)

Exp.=Experimental group; Cont.=Control group.

Calculated after controlling for family support at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.