The Use of Innovative Methods Designed to Relieve Social Isolation in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure; Volunteer Befriending, Forums and a Newsletter

Peardon, Louise; Yellowlees, Diane; Pratt, Rebekah; Reid, John H.; O'Donnell, Maureen; Ness, Andrea; Chalmers, Campbell; Leslie, Stephen J; Denvir, Martin A.

doi:10.1016/j.ejcnurse.2009.12.001

Cited by 11 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…As loneliness is an important reason for wanting to use befriending services, this helps explain why the majority of service users are in their 80s or 90s (Andrews et al, 2003;Peardon et al, 2010;Lester et al, 2012). Of course, loneliness (as opposed to choosing to be alone) can be felt at any age but people aged 80 and over are more likely to have experienced events associated with a greater risk of loneliness, such as the loss of a partner, changes to social networks as a result of bereavement or illness, or poorer physical health than their younger counterparts (Victor et al, 2005).…”

Section: Why People Using Befriending Services Tend To Be Oldermentioning

confidence: 99%

The diversity of befriending by, and of, older people

Moriarty

Manthorpe

2017

WWOP

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PurposeThere is increasing interest in befriending services that aim to combat loneliness among older people. This article uses the framework of the Equality Act 2010 to consider why older people might need these services and why some groups may be under represented. Design/methodology/approachDatabases, websites and other resources were searched systematically for material on befriending. Eighty items, ranging from research articles, reports, and toolkits, were included in a scoping review about befriending. The searches were updated in April 2016. FindingsIndividual face to face befriending has been the mainstay of the type of befriending support for older people. The increasing diversity of the older population and reductions in funding has led to adaptations of this model for different groups living in different circumstances. Research limitations/implicationsThe resources and time available to conduct the review were limited. It is possible that some relevant material was not identified. Practical implicationsPractitioners working with older people need to know about befriending schemes available in their area and consider the reasons why some groups of older people might be reluctant to use them or require specialist schemes. Originality/valueExisting research on befriending rarely reports the demographic characteristics of those using the service in detail or considers why some groups of older people might have greater needs for befriending services or be reluctant to use them. The Equality Act 2010 provides a structured framework for considering diversity in access to, and use of, services.

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Section: Why People Using Befriending Services Tend To Be Oldermentioning

confidence: 99%

The diversity of befriending by, and of, older people

Moriarty

Manthorpe

2017

WWOP

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“…There is relatively little research examining befriending interventions, but what has been done provides some promise for their effectiveness. Some evidence suggests that befriending can provide individuals with a new direction in life, re-establish engagement with social activities and encourage self-esteem for mental illness (eg, schizophrenia 6 ) and health conditions (eg, heart failure 7 ) but these studies are largely conducted using qualitative methods and do not evaluate specific outcomes in well-designed comparative studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of befriending interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2017

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ObjectiveBefriending is an emotional supportive relationship in which one-to-one companionship is provided on a regular basis by a volunteer. It is commonly and increasingly offered by the voluntary sector for individuals with distressing physical and mental conditions. However, the effectiveness of this intervention on health outcomes is largely unknown. We aim to conduct a systematic review of the benefits of befriending.DesignSystematic review.MethodsA systematic search of electronic databases was conducted to identify randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental trials of befriending for a range of physical and mental health indications including depression, anxiety, mental illness, cancer, physical illness and dementia. Main outcomes included patient-relevant and disease-specific outcomes, such as depression, loneliness, quality of life, self-esteem, social support and well-being.ResultsA total of 14 trials (2411 participants) were included; 7 were judged at low risk of bias. Most trials showed improvement in symptoms associated with befriending but these associations did not reach statistical significance in all trials. Befriending was significantly associated with better patient-reported outcomes across primary measures (standardised mean difference 0.18 (95% CI, −0.002 to 0.36, I2=26%, seven trials)). However, there was no significant benefit on single outcomes, including depression, quality of life, loneliness ratings, self-esteem measures, social support structures and well-being.ConclusionsThere was moderate quality evidence to support the use of befriending for the treatment of individuals with different physical and mental health conditions. This evidence refers to an overall improvement benefit in patient-reported primary outcomes, although with a rather small effect size. The current evidence base does not allow for firm conclusions on more specific outcomes. Future trials should hypothesise a model for the precise effects of befriending and use specified inclusion and outcome criteria.

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“…Volunteering has generally been associated with improved health outcomes for volunteers, for example reduced depression (Kahana, Bhatta, Lovegreen, Kahana, & Midlarsky, 2013;Lum & Lightfoot, 2005;Musick & Wilson, 2003), improved physical health (Borgonvoni, 2008;Burr et al 2016;Casiday, Kinsman, Fisher, & Bambra, 2008;Peardon et al, 2010;Tang, 2009), improved quality of life (Cattan, Kime, & Bagnall, 2011) and reduced mortality risk (Harris & Thoresen, 2005). Many volunteers report wanting to make friends by increasing their social circle through volunteer work (Prouteau & Wolff, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Volunteer peer support and befriending for carers of people living with dementia: An exploration of volunteers’ experiences

Smith

Drennan

Mackenzie

et al. 2017

Health Soc Care Community

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With ageing populations and greater reliance on the voluntary sector, the number of volunteer-led peer support and befriending services for carers of people with dementia in England is set to increase. However, little is known about the experiences of the volunteers who deliver these interventions, many of whom are former carers. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews with 10 volunteer peer supporters and befrienders, this exploratory study investigated volunteers' experiences of delivering the support, the types of relationships they form with carers and their perceptions of its impact upon them and on carers. Data were analysed using framework analysis. Findings showed that volunteers benefitted from their role due to the 'two-way' flow of support. Experiential similarity and having common interests with carers were considered important to the development of mutually beneficial relationships. Volunteers perceived that carers gained emotional and social support, which in turn improved the carers' coping ability. Being able to see positive changes to carers' lives was important for volunteers to gain enjoyment and satisfaction from their role. However, volunteers also identified challenges with their role, such as dealing with carers' emotions. Future research should investigate ways of reducing potential burden on volunteers and explore the impact of volunteering specifically on former carers of people with dementia.

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The Use of Innovative Methods Designed to Relieve Social Isolation in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure; Volunteer Befriending, Forums and a Newsletter

Abstract: The Heart Failure Support Service (volunteers, forum and newsletter) created a supportive patient-carer network and represents a successful voluntary sector/NHS partnership.

Cited by 11 publications

References 19 publications

The diversity of befriending by, and of, older people

The diversity of befriending by, and of, older people

Effectiveness of befriending interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Volunteer peer support and befriending for carers of people living with dementia: An exploration of volunteers’ experiences

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