Get started
Work

Older voluntarism and the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative exploration of the experiences of older hospital volunteers during and after the pandemic

Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Hospital volunteer programs offer older adults opportunities for meaningful engagement while supporting healthcare delivery. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted these programs, yet little is known about older hospital volunteers’ experiences during and after this period. This study explores older hospital volunteers’ experiences during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. A qualitative case study of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s volunteer program was conducted between September and November 2024. Nineteen older volunteers participated in semi-structured one-on-one interviews or focus group discussions. Data were collected in two phases and thematically analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive six-phase framework. The analysis generated four interconnected themes: benefits of volunteering during the pandemic, drivers of volunteer motivation, challenges of volunteering during the pandemic, and measures to sustain the volunteer program post-pandemic. The findings indicate that hospital volunteering continues to provide meaningful benefits for older adults, including purpose and social reconnection, while also revealing challenges that may affect sustained engagement in a post-pandemic context. Overall, the study highlights how older adults’ volunteering experiences are shaped by both enduring motivations and the disruptions and adaptations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Targeted strategies that enhance volunteer involvement in decision-making and strengthen health and safety measures may support the sustainability of hospital volunteer programs in the post-pandemic context.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2026.100838
Institution: Trent University
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,720
OpenAlex ID: W7201966313
FWCI:
Cites: 59
Cited by:
Related to: