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Motivations for volunteering time with older adults: A qualitative study

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  • Anne Same
  • Hannah McBride
  • Caitlin Liddelow
  • Barbara Mullan
  • Courtenay Harris

Abstract

Improved health, wellbeing and quality of life are associated with older adults living well at home. Enabling older adults to remain at home requires organisations to consider different workforce models to support these initiatives. Volunteers are often used by organisations providing such services. However, given the changing nature of the volunteer industry, volunteer recruitment and retention practices must be better understood. This study sought to understand individuals’ motivations to volunteer in aged care home support. Eighteen volunteers were recruited from not-for-profit aged support organisations in Perth, Western Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and five themes were thematically interpreted: What’s Important to Me?, Learning and Growth, Somewhere to Belong, Meet Me in the Middle, and Not Just a Number. Fulfilling volunteers’ desires for interest, social connection, self-growth, recognition, and support appeared conducive to positive volunteering experiences. These findings may suggest avenues to capture and retain volunteers in aged care home support.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne Same & Hannah McBride & Caitlin Liddelow & Barbara Mullan & Courtenay Harris, 2020. "Motivations for volunteering time with older adults: A qualitative study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(5), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0232718
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232718
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marieke Van Willigen, 2000. "Differential Benefits of Volunteering Across the Life Course," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 55(5), pages 308-318.
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