Abstract:
To determine the characteristics of the volunteer drivers who deliver Meals on Wheels in the Wellington Hospital Board region, the author surveyed 167 volunteers with a postal questionnaire. It was found that the majority of volunteers were married women over 40 years of age, with no dependent children, and they intended to continue delivering meals indefinitely. Other details were obtained about meal delivery, the recipients, recruitment, motives for volunteering, and suggestions for improvement of the service. The implications of the results for the delivery of the Meals on Wheels service are discussed and some recommendations are proposed.