2020 Volume 27 Issue 1 Pages 27-38
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the learning of volunteer staff who worked in a family caregiver association’s dementia cafe and considerations for its effectiveness and continued operation.
Methods: Ten volunteer staff members participated in the study, and data were collected through group interviews conducted at four time points: at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the dementia cafe was opened. The categories and subcategories utilized in this study were extracted from the codes in the group interviews.
Results: Categories extracted from codes at each point were as follows: At 1 month:【Adjustment of managerial approach】and【Learning to improve communication】; at 3 months:【Understanding cafe structure】, 【Strengths of the dementia cafe】, and【Dementia cafe’s role in the community】; at 6 months:【Sense of stability for the dementia cafe’s management】, 【Dementia cafe’s effectiveness】, 【Face-to-face relationship】; at 12 months:【changes in persons with dementia, caregivers, and the cafe staff】.
Conclusion: The results indicated the following four findings: ① Within the first months, effective management of the cafe was of greater concern than learning-related aspects. ② The dementia cafe’s role in the community was to listen to caregivers’ thoughts and concerns, and to give advice based on volunteer’s caregiving experiences. ③ The main learning of volunteer staff was in understanding the significance of the dementia cafe and its purpose. ④ For effective and continued operation, a safe place for persons with dementia and their caregivers should be provided.
