Effectiveness of a Holistic Capacity-Building Program for Volunteers in Community-Based End-of-Life Care

Abstract

Objective: Despite the importance of volunteers in end-of-life care (EoLC), ways to empower their engagement therein remain unclear. The aim of our study was to examine the effectiveness of a holistic capacity-building program for volunteers in community-based EoLC. Methods: Applicants completed a capacity-building program in four steps: motivational screening, core competence training, internships, and in-service supervision. Screening involved completing a self-administered risk assessment and being interviewed by a social worker, and a questionnaire was developed to evaluate the effectiveness of training at pretraining, posttraining, and 6-month follow-up. Results: Of 171 applicants, 88 completed core competence training after screening, and 53 continued volunteering for the 6 months that followed. Their competence in EoLC, awareness of self-care, and death work competence significantly improved after training and remained intact at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: The four-phase capacity-building program effectively empowered volunteers to provide EoLC for elderly persons in their communities.