Rural Stakeholder Perspectives on Engaging People Living With Dementia as Volunteers

Abstract

This qualitative study explores enablers and barriers experienced by rural community organisations in engaging people living with dementia as volunteers. Semi structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with 13 individuals responsible for managing volunteers within rural and regional organisations in Victoria, Australia. Participants identified three primary factors associated with ability to engage people living with dementia as volunteers within their organisations: ability to provide suitable volunteer roles for people living with dementia, ability to resource support and ability to manage disclosure and progression. These factors were mediated by characteristics of organisational and volunteer program environments, and the attitudes and capacities of volunteers living with dementia. Findings indicate that while possible, engagement of volunteers living with dementia is potentially not achievable in all rural community settings and is contingent on flexible volunteer programs and experienced volunteer management, provision of resources to support volunteers and changing attitudes toward capacity of people living with dementia.