The effects of individually tailored intervention program on nursing home residents’ functional capacity

The aim of this controlled clinical intervention study was to 1) plan an evidence based  model to increase functional capacity of nursing home residents 2) study the effects of  individually tailored activity program on residents’ functional capacity and 3) use the results to plan a program for  personnel training purposes. The study was implemented in Jyväskylä, Tampere and Turku, altogether in five nursing homes. Study population consisted of 118 persons who were randomized to experiment and control croups. Baseline, after intervention and three months after intervention measurements for functional capacity were made. On the basis of baseline results, individually tailored, progressive activity program was made for each person in experiment group in cooperation with participants. The whole staff took part in implementing the program.

The results of this study are used to enhance the activity programs targeting to improve functional capacity of nursing home residents.

Funding

Ministry of Education and Culture

Principal investigator

Terttu Parkatti PhD, terttu.parkatti[at]jyu.fi, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä