The Effect on Function of Increasing Activity for Nursing Home Residents

Physical and Daily Activity for Residents in a Nursing Home Setting. -A Nordic Multi-Centre Study

As designs of existing outcome studies are disparate and do not always relate well to a Swedish context, the need for further studies is obvious. Also, an empirical theory drawn from the best practice supporting autonomy and wellbeing for clients in a nursing home setting has not yet been fully depicted. The study described below intends to fill a gap in knowledge related to the effect of enhanced activities of daily living (ADL)-training, physical, and daily activities and staff education in a nursing home setting, based on a theory- and evidence-based intervention programme in a Swedish as well as a Nordic health care context. The aims of the study are to describe the impact of an individually tailored intervention program, in a nursing home setting, on:

• Physical capacity
• Degree of dependence in ADL
• Long-term participation in physical and/or daily activities
• Self-rated wellbeing

The Trondheim study has additional aims to assess the impact of intervention on:

• Urinary incontinence
• Falls

Inclusion Criteria:

• > 65 years of age
• Expected stay in the nursing home > 3 months
• Able to take instruction

Exclusion Criteria:

• Persons in a terminal phase