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Being a trained volunteer Peer Supporter for carers of people living with dementia in Norway: Reciprocal benefits and challenges
Author(s) -
Halvorsrud Liv,
Bye Astra,
Brekke Liv A.,
Bergland Astrid
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
health and social care in the community
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.984
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1365-2524
pISSN - 0966-0410
DOI - 10.1111/hsc.13026
Subject(s) - supporter , focus group , peer support , psychology , dementia , qualitative research , nursing , perception , exploratory research , medicine , sociology , social science , disease , archaeology , pathology , neuroscience , anthropology , history
This qualitative, exploratory study aimed to investigate the perception of benefits and the challenges of Peer Support services to carers of people with dementia. Four focus group interviews were conducted with volunteer Peer Supporters ( n = 40)—all former carers—on their experience of supporting such carers. One overriding theme was of making the carers’ path smoother by giving the possibility for free time and reflection, and three themes summarised their experience: ‘filling the gap between health care and everyday life challenges’, ‘importance of mutual and unique experience based on skills and knowledge’ and ‘the importance of setting limits’. The findings showed that voluntary work is valuable to both carers and Peer Supporters. Peer Supporters’ experiences as former carers are valuable. They offer the opportunity to engage in mutually supportive relationships with carers based on shared experience and similar interests by contributing to a better management of everyday life. Being able to see positive changes in carers’ lives, guarding their privacy and providing them with free time were important for volunteers in gaining enjoyment and satisfaction over time. Enabling recovery and reflection might be crucial for carers to avoid burnout. How to recruit, support Peer Supporters and incorporate them in the formal healthcare system will be of great interest in the future.