A telephone reassurance service for the elderly : an evaluation study of a natural support system

• Main Author: King, Hinda
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: McGill University 1983
• Subjects: Social Work.
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=71950

This study is an evaluation of a natural support system, a community-based programme serving the aged living alone. A Telephone Reassurance Service was chosen to demonstrate the capacity of a low technology service to enhance the Well-Being of this growing segment of the population. === The effect of the Telephone Service on an aged population was studied. The aim was to examine those who join, as opposed to those who do not; the benefits of the Service, as well as its costs. A profile of a Joiner, and its benefits emerged; costs were demonstrated to be negligible as the programme is run by volunteers. Inherent in the findings is the viability and importance of the community in serving its aged. === This project is a preliminary study suggesting a methodology for broad-based investigations to measure the usefulness of a Telephone Reassurance Service for different populations of the aged.