Abstract
Purpose: When older adults experience a decrease in functional independence including decreased ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) tasks, rehabilitation services are required. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate if a home-based reablement program influenced the ADL ability of older adults. Methods: Ninety-one older adults (80 ± 9 years) were allocated to a 12-weeks home-based reablement program consisting of ADL task performance training by a home carer supervised by an occupational therapist. ADL ability was measured at baseline, at 12 weeks and at follow-up (range: 310-592 d) using the ADL-Interview (ADL-I). Results: Overall, ADL ability improved significantly over time (p=0.041). Post-hoc t-tests indicated that the improvements occurred between baseline and end of intervention (p=0.042) and were maintained at follow-up 10 months after intervention (p=0.674). There were no effects related to age (p=0.787) or to whether the older adult had received help previously (p=0.120). Conclusion: A 12-weeks home-based reablement program was found to improve ADL ability among older adults regardless of whether they previously received help. This implies that receiving home care services should not be considered a barrier to participation in a reablement program.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Disability and Rehabilitation |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 15 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1347-1352 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| ISSN | 1464-5165 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |