News

Volunteers needed for study to improve outcomes for older adults in hospital

Nov 01, 2021

Joondalup Health Campus is recruiting volunteers for a research study to help improve the outcomes for older adults in hospital.

The study starts this month and is investigating the effects of nurse-led volunteer support and pain assessment technology.

The study is in collaboration with Edith Cowan University Centre for Research in Aged Care and is led by Rosemary Saunders.

Dr Saunders said the aim of the study is to evaluate a model of service delivery for adults in hospital aged 65 years and older.

“Our ageing population, particularly those with cognitive impairment, presents a growing challenge for acute health services and the use of volunteers has been reported to be a proactive strategy to support older adults in acute care,” Dr Saunders said.

“We are recruiting student volunteers and from the community.”

Dr Saunders said volunteers will be trained and undertake volunteer support activities. 
“The expected outcomes from this study will be a greater understanding of the impact of nurse-led volunteer support,” Dr Saunders said.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the study can register to attend an information session on Wednesday, November 3 via Eventbrite Joondalup Health Campus Voluteer Study Information Session. 

For more information about the study email JHC_volunteer@ecu.edu.au

Edith Cowan University Centre for Research in Aged Care researcher Dr Rosemary Saunders and Joondalup Health Campus Cognitive Impairment Clinical Nurse Specialist Tania Leach.