醫院高齡志工服務的學習歷程──角色重建與生命意義的探尋

The Learning Experiences of Older Adults Volunteering at Hospitals: Role Reconstruction and Meaning of Life

高齡者參與志工服務不僅是一種服務他人的過程，也是一種學習、角色重建與體驗生命意義的歷程。本研究的目的是探討高齡志工參與志工服務的學習歷程，以及志工服務過程對生命意義的體會。以質性研究的方法針對臺灣南部區域醫院的8名高齡志工進行半結構式的深度訪談。志工選取的年齡須為60歲以上，其服務資歷為3年以上。本研究以曾經接觸到急診病患的高齡志工為優先考慮，因為這類型志工服務的經驗可能對高齡者自身會有較多的生命體驗。研究結果顯示：一、積極參與志工服務，有助於維持生活品質、身心健康，是促進成功老化的有效途徑；二、志工服務有助於維繫高齡者的正向自我價值，也能降低失去原有社會角色帶來的空虛感；三、在醫院擔任志工的高齡者能藉由他人的生命經驗來省思個人生命意義，並進一步珍惜和感恩自己的生活與生命。

For older adults, participating in volunteer service is a process not only for serving others but also for learning, undergoing role reconstruction, and exploring the meaning of life. This study investigated how older adults learn and reflect on the meaning of life while participating in volunteer service. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with eight older adults volunteering at regional hospitals in Taiwan, and the contents of the interviews were analyzed using qualitative methods. The participants in this study were at least 60 years old and have at least three years of volunteer service experience. Volunteers who had contact with emergency patients were prioritized because volunteering in emergency settings may have a stronger effect on the volunteers’ lives than volunteering in other settings. The results of the analysis indicated the following: 1. active participation in volunteer service can help older adults maintain their quality of life and both physical and mental health, therefore promoting successful aging; 2. volunteer service can help older adults maintain their sense of self-worth and can reduce the sense of unfulfillment derived from the loss of their original social roles; and 3. volunteering at hospitals can help older adults reflect on the meaning of their lives through the life experiences of others and thus cherish what they already possess.