Accompaniment of isolated people by volunteers from the neighborhood (ACOMPANYEM). A community trial with a nested qualitative study

Abstract

Introduction

Social prescription targets people with social isolation or unwanted loneliness and offers them community activities to improve their emotional well-being. Disabled homebound people cannot access social-health community assets. Neighborhood volunteers may accompany them at home or walk them outdoors. Community emotional well-being referent may enhance these interactions, conducting emotional counseling and management groups for volunteers.

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of community intervention of accompaniment and emotional management with volunteers on unwanted loneliness in people with social isolation, their emotional well-being, and quality of life.

Method

A community non-randomized trial on isolation with a qualitative nested study on unwanted loneliness. Detection by a driving group, made up of neighborhood organizations and the community health team, in an opportunistic way. Implementation of the multi-level volunteer-isolated people intervention. In cases where we detect architectural barriers, we will provide technical aids (portable stairlifts).