Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a volunteer activity on the perceived well-being of long-term-care (LTC) residents. Residents trom five LTC facilities were randomly assigned into either a mentoring or a usual-care control group. Residents in the mentoring group tutored conversational skills to English-as-a-second-language students on a one-on-one basis for 1 hour twice per week for 12 weeks. Well-being, as a global outcome construct, was measured at baseline, after intervention, and at 3-month follow-up using the Geriatric Depression Scale, Life Satisfaction Index-A, and a self-rated health question. After intervention, residents who participated in the mentoring group rated their level of well-being higher (p= .047) than those in the usual-care group on the basis of a multivariate nonparametric global statistical test. The positive effect of mentoring on well-being relative to the control was sustained at 3-month follow-up assessment (p=.029), Findings provide preliminary support for engaging LTC residents In volunteer mentoring activities to improve their well-being.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 71-76 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | American Journal of Occupational Therapy |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Aged
- Health surveys
- Long-term care
- Mentorship
- Voluntary workers
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Occupational Therapy