How Volunteers Contribute to Persons with Dementia Coping in Everyday Life

Figures & data

Table 1 Example of the Analysis Process

Meaningful Unit	Code	Subtheme	Theme
F1(I5): I experience that I have contributed to the better for her, eg, when I accompany her to the hospital, the doctor, etc.	Feeling important to someone	The feeling of doing an important job	Motivation for being a volunteer
F1(I2): In many cases, it is good for those who have dementia to be at home and have these opportunities, and that is perhaps what drives us. I think that it is best for them to be at home anyway.	Contributing, so the person with dementia can live at home
F1(I3): She thinks it is very nice when I visit her. […] We like each other. F1(I5): Then, I was assigned to a woman and it has worked out very well. We are more like friends, and it turns out that she is a former colleague. She lives alone and does not have any close relatives in Norway. I travel a lot so I cannot visit her regularly once a week, but I call her when I am away if I am not abroad.	Friendship and mutual relations	Joy and connectedness
F2 (I1): I think that an activity friend (aktivitetsvenn) is a good concept. You do something together, something both want to do. F3(I5): Many of the participants used to enjoy hiking but cannot go on their own anymore – so I think it is very positive both ways. I think this suits me well.	Common interests
F1(I4): When you get that feeling of being important and they say you are doing a great job and that they are looking forward to seeing you, and you get a shoulder clap. I think that is very nice and then I want to continue as a volunteer. F1(I6): One must desire to keep on and sense that what one does is important. However, I am sure what we do is important. F1(I4): To be appreciated is good.	Feeling of being important and appreciated	Recognition as a volunteer
F1(I5): The relatives also appreciate me, especially the son who lives abroad. I am blessed with good health myself so I must try to give something back as long as I can.	Appreciated by the relatives
F1(I6): They should know about us. To be seen by the public authorities, that they think what we do is important.	Appreciated by the relatives

Abbreviations: F, focus Group; I, informant.

Table 2 Overview of Main Themes and Subthemes

Themes	Sub Themes	Main Theme
1. Motivation for being a volunteer	The feeling of doing an important job Joy and connectedness Recognition	Contributing to a better coping in everyday life for persons with dementia and their relatives
2. Collaboration between volunteers and the municipality	Contact and relations with municipality and other volunteers Need for training and knowledge Need for exchange of experiences Positive and negative experiences with the municipality
3. Commitment and concern	Commitment and responsibility Concern and care
4. Relations with relatives	Positive relations Negative relations