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Article
Publication date: 1 April 2012

Nancy Kelley‐Gillespie, Frances Wilby and O. William Farley

The purpose of this study is to examine the satisfaction of older adults in the services they receive from the Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) program – a program designed to…

153

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the satisfaction of older adults in the services they receive from the Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) program – a program designed to assist older adults to remain independent in their homes and communities.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire examining various domains of service was developed and administered to 49 older adults who had been receiving assistance from NHN for at least six months.

Findings

Findings revealed that 87 percent (41) of the participants were satisfied with services and believed that NHN helped them remain independent in the community.

Research limitations/implications

The study was a cross‐sectional design and did not look at change over time based on a pre/post test research design. Therefore, no causation can be implied. Another limitation is that the study was conducted internally by NHN; program participants may have responded in a socially desirable way in order not to reflect negatively on the program.

Practical implications

Findings from this study may have implications for developing sustainable home‐ and community‐based support programs for older adults.

Social implications

With the aging of societies and cutbacks in government social services, it is important to examine how the needs of aging citizens can be met.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the NHN model is innovative in its use of students, community‐building approaches, and volunteers in meeting the needs of older adults. The NHN program provides an innovative model that can be replicated by other universities or other community‐based organizations around the country.

Details

Working with Older People, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-3666

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Article
Publication date: 1 January 2012

Nancy Kelly‐Gillespie and Frances Wilby

The purpose of this study is to assess the volunteer component of the Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) program, a service program designed to assist community‐residing older…

310

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the volunteer component of the Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) program, a service program designed to assist community‐residing older adults to remain in their homes and avoid premature institutionalization. The study seeks to examine how meaningful and satisfying the volunteer experience has been for individuals involved with NHN.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed an exploratory cross‐sectional survey format developed specifically for NHN for descriptive purposes. A purposive sample of 26 NHN volunteers completed the survey examining their experiences with the NHN program.

Findings

A total of 91 percent (21) volunteers reported being “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their volunteer experience and 70 percent felt that they had made a difference in their community.

Social implications

Programs such as NHN may be promising service models to meet the needs of older adults by building communities from the inside‐out.

Originality/value

This study provides new knowledge concerning the satisfaction of volunteers in a unique community‐based program serving older adults.

Details

Working with Older People, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-3666

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