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Telephone Support Groups for Seniors with Disabilities*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Miriam Stewart ,
Karen Mann ,
Susan Jackson ,
Barbara Downe-Wamboldt ,
Linda Bayers ,
Myrna Slater  and
Lettie Turner
Miriam Stewart
Affiliation:
University of Alberta
Karen Mann
Affiliation:
Dalhousie University
Susan Jackson
Affiliation:
Research Assistant, Halifax, NS
Barbara Downe-Wamboldt
Affiliation:
Dalhousie University
Linda Bayers
Affiliation:
Self-Help Connection
Myrna Slater
Affiliation:
Canadian Pensioners Concerned, Halifax, NS
Lettie Turner
Affiliation:
One Voice Seniors, Halifax, NS
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Abstract

The growing population of seniors with disabilities experiences unmet support needs and loneliness. Although support deficiencies can be overcome by peers in support groups, most support groups are inaccessible to older adults with limited physical functioning. Accordingly, this project aimed to develop and test the impact of an accessible telephone support group intervention for seniors with disabilities. Six research questions guided the study. Four telephone support groups with five to six participants (n = 23) were created, each with a professional and a peer (senior) leader. The groups met once a week for 12 weeks. Qualitative analyses of the telephone transcripts and post-intervention interviews of participants and leaders revealed decreased support needs, diminished loneliness, and enhanced coping. Selection, training, and support of peer and professional leaders and member control of discussions were important ingredients of successful support groups.

Résumé

On constate une augmentation de la population des aîné(e)s souffrant d'invalidité, qui sont mal soutenus et qui sont seuls. Bien qu'un groupe de soutien puisse être formé par les pairs, les aîné(e)s dont les capacités physiques sont limitées y ont bien souvent difficilement accès. Ce projet visait à établir un groupe de soutien téléphonique pour les aîné(e)s souffrant d'invalidité et à en vérifier les résultats. L'étude se composait de six questions. On a formé quatre groupes de soutien téléphonique constitué de cinq à six membres chacun (n = 23) ayant à leur tête un spécialiste et un aîné(e). Les groupes se rencontraient une fois la semaine pendant 12 semaines. Une analyse qualitative de la transcription des appels et des interventions subséquentes des participants et des chefs a révélé une diminution des besoins de soutien, moins de solitude et une meilleure réaction face aux circonstances. La sélection, la formation et l'appui des pairs et des spécialistes ainsi qu'un bonne orientation des échanges ont été des facteurs importants du succès des groupes.

Keywords

Telephone SupportSupport GroupsSocial SupportPeer-Professional PartnershipsSoutien téléphoniquegroupes de soutiensoutien socialpartenariats pairsspécialistes
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 20 , Issue 1 , Printemps/Spring 2001 , pp. 47 - 72
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2001

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