Alzheimer’s Society services evaluation 2018

Spotlight on Side by Side

May 2019

Spotlight on Side by Side‘I am good for him and he is good for me.’ Person with dementia

Alzheimer’s Society’s Side by Side service matches people living with dementia with volunteers. The volunteer helps the person with dementia to continue with their hobbies and interests and to start doing new activities. The service provides person-centred support – it helps people with dementia live the life they want to lead, to the best of their ability.

In 2018, evaluation data was collected from 334 people with dementia who used the Side by Side service.

Did people who used Side by Side feel supported by their volunteer?People were asked whether the volunteer helped them make their own choices about which activities they did. Most people (97%) agreed that their volunteer enabled them to make those choices. Some people said their volunteer helped by reminding them what they had already done together or suggesting a shortlist of options.

‘It has always been clear that it is me who makes the choices about what we do. At first the volunteer suggested things and I said which was the thing to do, but now I know what I want and the volunteer helps me.’ Person with dementia

However many people said they preferred to make decisions together with their volunteer, to make sure they were both happy about how they would spend time together. It was helpful if the person with dementia and the volunteer had similar interests or if the volunteer was open to trying new experiences:‘At our first meeting I suggested I wanted to join a short bowls club and my volunteer was very open to the idea of trying something new.’ Person with dementia

The people with dementia who took part in Side by Side said it had a wider impact than just spending time with another person. For example it also enabled them to make choices, which helped them retain their independence:‘I am allowed to take control and decide where we go; no one at home lets me do that.’Person with dementia

Did people who used Side by Side feel it helped them to do things they enjoyed?All the people with dementia (100%) enjoyed the activities they did with their volunteer. This included doing sporting activities and pet therapy, and visiting the local shops, garden centres and other Alzheimer’s Society services. Some people also did religious and spiritual activities (such as going to Mass) and reminiscence activities:‘I have enjoyed remembering things from over the years. We took a trip to the bakery my father used to work in, which is now a museum.’ Person with dementia

Some people with dementia who use Side by Side are frail or have co-morbidities, which means the activities they do are weather and context dependent:‘Sometimes we stay at home, other times we go out. It depends how I am feeling. I am becoming increasingly tired these days.’ Person with dementia

Service evaluation 2018 Spotlight on Side by Side 2

EV6

Find out moreevaluation@alzheimers.org.uk020 7423 7335

Alzheimer’s Society operates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Registered charity number 296645.

People who were physically frail received a service that focused on conversation and companionship. People felt that chatting with their volunteer was just as valuable as going out to do activities. Talking to a different person gave them cognitive stimulation and an enriching experience:‘I enjoy her company very much. I remember words I thought I had forgotten.’ Person with dementia

Did people who used Side by Side feel they had more social contact (with people other than their volunteer)?Only 67% of people with dementia agreed that they have increased their social contact with other people – not including their volunteer – as a result of Side by Side. This was because many people had a tailored service with telephone or home-based visits. Some people with dementia said they did not need more social contact. Other people wanted to go out more but they were restricted by immobility.

Some people who had increased their social contact said they loved meeting new people. However some people found it comforting to frequently see the same people. Other people who used Side by Side said the service helped them to reconnect with their family and friends:‘[The volunteer] helped me to visit my sister in hospital.’ Person with dementia

Some people said that Side by Side helped to increase their overall confidence. For example they were able to go outside and do things at other times:‘It gives me the confidence to go and visit my friend on the bus.’ Person with dementia

Overall, Side by Side can help people with dementia maintain ties to their local community, where this is possible and appropriate.

Did people who used Side by Side feel it made their life better in any way?Almost all the people with dementia who gave feedback on Side by Side (99%) agreed that their life was made better in some way by having a Side by Side volunteer. Many people said their volunteer helped them to feel less isolated and less anxious. They were reassured that they still mattered:‘I have someone who treats me with dignity and understanding, someone who sees me as me and not as a person with dementia.’ Person with dementia

Many people also said the service had helped them to feel stronger, more positive and more able to cope with their situation:‘It is better for me, it has helped me to feel more relaxed at home. Before Side by Side, I was stressed at being in the house every day.’ Person with dementia

Acknowledgements: The Evaluation and Impact Team would like to thank all the people affected by dementia and the staff and volunteers across Alzheimer’s Society who contributed to this evaluation. This report was written by: Laura Freeman, Evaluation and Impact Programme Manager, Alzheimer’s Society; Natasha Morgan, Evaluation Manager, Alzheimer’s Society; Dr Suzie Snowden, Evaluation Officer, Alzheimer’s Society; Carly Tillyer, Evaluation Officer, Alzheimer’s Society.

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