Meals on Wheels Central Texas: addressing loneliness and isolation through client-volunteer interaction

In: Working with older people: community care policy & practice, Band 26, Heft 1, S. 8-21

Abstract

Purpose
Meals on Wheel Central Texas (MOWCTX) provides meals to more than 5,000 home-bound older adults in the Austin area every weekday. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of client-volunteer interactions to assess the social benefits clients receive and ascertain if and how loneliness and social isolation are addressed.


Design/methodology/approach
Observations of volunteer-client interactions, interviews with clients and surveys of clients were conducted to gain insight into clients' experiences with MOWCTX services.


Findings
Qualitative analysis of observation and interview data revealed four non-tangible benefits clients received from MOWCTX: reduced physical risks when mobility issues are present, a daily safety check, opportunities for social contact and increased ability to maintain independence. Survey results supported these conclusions.


Originality/value
This research examines the impact of volunteer-client relationships on the experience of loneliness and social isolation.