The Volunteer Dementia and Delirium Care (VDDC)©: A Pre-implementation Study Exploring Perceived Acceptability to Implementing the Program in an Acute and Subacute Metropolitan Hospital

Objective: To explore the perceived acceptability of the Volunteer Dementia and Delirium Care (VDDC)© program components from the perspective of key stakeholders in a metropolitan health network.

Methods: A mixed-methods design was used. Surveys (nurses) and focus groups and interviews (hospital staff, volunteers, patients and caregivers) were conducted simultaneously. Descriptive statistics were used to profile the survey responses. The framework method was used to analyse the qualitative data.

Results: The majority of nurses identified that it is acceptable for volunteers to read to, and converse and play games with patients. Hospital staff perceived risk in volunteers assisting with feeding and mobilisation. Overall participants believed the VDDC was acceptable and would be of benefit to the patients.

Conclusion: Key stakeholders have a favourable view of the VDDC© program. Strategies can be developed to address the identified issues, and components of the program may be amended to ensure that implementation is acceptable.